← Back to House of Commons Debates
Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] 2025-06-04
04 June 2025
Lead MP
Gareth Snell
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Taxation
Other Contributors: 47
At a Glance
Gareth Snell raised concerns about product regulation and metrology bill [lords] 2025-06-04 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This new clause would place a requirement on supermarkets to inform customers when the quantity of goods within the product had decreased resulting in a price increase per unit of measurement.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
The clause would require an assessment on the benefits of introducing country of origin markings for ceramic products sold in the UK, and a report must be published within six months after this Act is passed.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
This new clause requires the Government to undertake reviews into the feasibility of requiring food businesses to disclose the country of origin of meat products on menus, considering public health, environmental, and animal welfare concerns.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
The new clause would require the Government to introduce a voluntary labelling system indicating when a product has been produced or manufactured in the UK, promoting informed consumer choices and supporting domestic producers.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
This new clause would ensure that guidance for SMEs on compliance with regulations under this Act is available 60 days before implementation, including a summary of key provisions and practical advice.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
This new clause would require the Government to undertake a review into the accessibility and affordability of independent product testing and certification for SMEs, with a report published within 12 months.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
This new clause allows the Secretary of State to make regulations providing for liability of online marketplaces for defective and unsafe products, ensuring redress for consumers suffering harm from such products.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
This new clause provides greater regulatory certainty for UK businesses by requiring scrutiny of all decisions to diverge or align with EU regulations, with statements made in Parliament on the benefits at least 14 days before regulations are laid.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
This new clause requires the Secretary of State to make regulations within three months to include lithium-ion batteries as a specified product category, with provisions for safety and performance standards, labelling requirements, and enforcement actions.
Gareth Snell
Con
Bury St Edmunds
Mr. Snell discussed the proliferation of counterfeit products in the UK ceramics market, citing specific examples such as backstamps on ceramic goods that are misleadingly labelled 'Made in England' despite being partially manufactured abroad. He stressed the importance of protecting genuine British products like those from Stoke-on-Trent and advocated for an investigation into whether country-of-origin stamps should be legally protected to ensure transparency.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Mr. Jogee confirmed that the city of Newcastle-under-Lyme is located in Staffordshire, clarifying Mr. Snell's reference to ceramics manufacturing locations within England. He did not elaborate on his stance regarding the proposed amendments but provided geographical context for the debate.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Mr. Jogee agreed with Mr. Snell, emphasising that this is about national pride and the importance of supporting local industries by buying British-made goods.
Former MP and now CEO of Ceramics UK, Rob Flello informed Gareth Snell that people in Stoke-on-Trent believe they have 'slip' in their veins due to the deep connection between the city and the ceramics industry. This underlines how intrinsic the ceramics sector is to the local community.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Mr. Allister supported new clause 1 but raised concerns about the broader implications of the Bill, particularly regarding its potential misuse by future governments to realign UK regulations with EU standards without proper oversight from this House.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Mr. Holden supported amendments aimed at ensuring proper scrutiny of the Bill, agreeing with Mr. Allister that the lack of oversight is democratically dangerous.
Adam Thompson
Lab
Erewash
Supports the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill as it ensures UK's position at the forefront of science. Argues that amendments by Opposition would hinder progress. Emphasises the importance of precision engineering and metrology in creating modern infrastructure.
Expresses concern over international alignment issues with the Bill, stating it is more about EU realignment than general international regulation.
Jim Allister
Ind
North Antrim
Questions if Adam Thompson is comfortable with the Henry VIII powers in the Bill, suggesting they could lead to criminal offences without parliamentary scrutiny. Expresses concern over potential risk to constituents' liberty.
Maidenhead
Supports UK labelling for manufactured products, including new clause 4 which is broader in scope than the ceramics-specific new clause 1 proposed by Dr Gardner.
David Williams
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Echos support for new clause 1 and highlights the importance of protecting skilled workers, such as those at Moorcroft pottery in his constituency, who have collectively over 800 years of experience.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Sees the Bill as important for dealing with regulatory changes post-Brexit, arguing that alignment reduces administrative burdens and costs for small businesses compared to maintaining separate standards. She emphasises the importance of high standards in product safety, such as ensuring toxic toys like the Glo Worm are no longer available.
Member for Stone
Party not specified
The right hon. Member seems to believe the regulatory regimes we had were a ceiling rather than a floor... Let’s be honest: many of these things are beyond our individual pay grades and we will want some expert assistance.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak briefly in this debate; I was not sure that I would, depending on timings of the business of the House... New clause 1 is a step in the right direction and it has my support.
Karen Bradley
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I just want to make sure that all five Members from north Staffordshire make their voice known on the record... I support him wholeheartedly in his speech.
It is an honour to speak in this debate on the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, and in particular the amendments tabled by the Public Bill Committee. I was not on the Committee—some might say I did not measure up... My parliamentary assistant has asked me to point out that I wrote that joke, not her.
Chris Vince
Con
Harlow
Supports the Product Regulation Bill and calls for enforcement details and cost recovery. Acknowledges the ceramics industry's importance in Stoke-on-Trent Central, stating that businesses claiming false origins damage local industries.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Intervenes to emphasise the need for more scrutiny of regulations and criticises the economic climate set by the Labour Government. Suggests measures like new clause 13 would make the regulatory climate better for businesses.
Sarah Olney
LD
Richmond Park
Highlights the work done at the National Physical Laboratory and supports the Product Regulation Bill with amendments to level the playing field between online and high street businesses. She raises concerns about secondary legislation and Henry VIII powers, advocating for proper parliamentary scrutiny and support for small businesses.
Adam Thompson
Lab
Erewash
Pays tribute to Sarah Olney's work at the National Physical Laboratory and emphasises the importance of metrology. Supports new clauses that would require large supermarkets to inform customers when product quantities have decreased, resulting in price increases per unit measurement.
Adam Jogee
Con
Supports Sarah Olney's position on labelling requirements for meat products and the importance of informing consumers about product quantity changes and pricing.
Gareth Snell
LD
West Midlands
The hon. Gentleman clarified the concerns about new clause 4, arguing that the final paragraph under subsection (7) of the amendment would allow labelling where the final significant production process occurred in the UK, which could mislead consumers by passing off products as being made entirely in the UK.
Sarah Olney
LD
Richmond Park
The hon. Member supported the need to update regulatory frameworks to reduce trade friction and give businesses and consumers confidence in their products, expressing concern about excessive ministerial discretion and reliance on secondary legislation. She called for stronger scrutiny mechanisms and urged the Government to support new clause 4.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
The hon. Lady argued that the Product Standards Bill was a 'Trojan horse' limiting British innovators with over-burdensome regulations, reducing industry competitiveness internationally. She raised concerns about sweeping Henry VIII powers and dynamic alignment by back door with EU red tape.
Chris Vince
Con
Harlow
The hon. Member for Harlow admits that dynamic alignment with EU regulation is the purpose of the Bill, but argues that such decisions should be made by UK courts.
Justin Madders
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Minister supports the Product Regulation Bill, arguing it allows the UK to update product regulations and protect consumers from new risks. He reassures that the powers do not grant jurisdiction to foreign courts and are subject to parliamentary oversight.
Asks the Minister to support a clause making consumers aware when product sizes decrease but prices remain the same (shrinkflation).
Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
Questions whether online marketplaces should have greater responsibility for ensuring product safety, akin to high street retailers.
Emphasises the practical reality of technical regulations and suggests that primary legislation for product safety would overwhelm parliamentary time. Proposes publishing a code of conduct to ensure transparency in regulation-making processes.
Creasy
Walthamstow
Expresses reassurance following Minister's assurances about the impact of regulations and suggests that wider calls for scrutiny should be heard by Business Ministers.
Acknowledges the important points made during the debate and expresses confidence in government ministers hearing them.
Minister
not specified
Addresses amendments concerning product safety, consumer protection, small businesses, economic growth, online marketplaces, supply chains, and recalls. Provides assurances about regulatory frameworks, consultations, and the necessity of regulations under scrutiny.
Withdraws new clause 4 related to labelling for UK-produced or manufactured products following ministerial response.
Justin Madders
Con
Business and Trade
Moves the Product Regulation Bill, emphasising its role in supporting businesses, protecting consumers, ensuring a fair playing field, and future-proofing product regulation. Acknowledges that while many laws stem from EU legislation, leaving the EU provides an opportunity to tailor rules for UK needs.
Laurence Turner
Lab
Birmingham Northfield
Claims the Opposition's arguments are unfounded myths and suggests they are trying to promote a dead horse. Accuses the Bill of being some mysterious route back into the EU.
Questions the myth that the Bill will see the end of the great British pint, supporting the Minister's argument that it secures it.
Adam Thompson
Con
Erewash
Asks about the role of the Bill in keeping the UK at the forefront of science internationally and emphasises his contribution to debates on product regulation.
Questions the Minister regarding conversations happening across Government to ensure that enforcement agencies are properly resourced to enforce new regulations.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Mr Griffith expressed gratitude towards colleagues who held the Government accountable on this Bill but criticised it as an example of everything wrong with Westminster. He argued that giving up control over shaping regulations is absurd, undermining agility and dynamism in adapting to events. The dynamic alignment clauses mean Britain would have to follow EU standard changes, potentially stifling innovation and bespoke trade deals. Mr Griffith cited the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee’s scathing rebuke of the Bill for shifting legislative power from Parliament to Ministers.
Government Response
The Minister supports the Product Regulation Bill and argues it provides a balanced approach between protecting consumers from new risks and ensuring appropriate parliamentary scrutiny. He reassures that future changes using the power in the bill will be smaller and technical, with careful consideration to ensure good use of parliamentary time. Discussed various amendments and new clauses, emphasising the current regulatory frameworks' adequacy. Provided details on existing legislation like the Environment Act 2021 and Consumer Rights Act 2015, as well as future commitments such as a Law Commission review of product liability laws. Defends the Product Regulation Bill, emphasising its adaptability for product regulation and consumer safety. Addresses concerns over unnecessary burdens on businesses, ensures that stakeholders can shape regulations through statutory consultation mechanisms, and provides reassurances about enforcement resources.
Shadow Response
None
Shadow Response
The shadow Minister argued that the Product Standards Bill was a 'Trojan horse' limiting British innovators with over-burdensome regulations, reducing industry competitiveness internationally. She raised concerns about sweeping Henry VIII powers and dynamic alignment by back door with EU red tape.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.