The House of Lords is set to begin a detailed examination of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill on Wednesday, 20 November 2024. This marks the start of the committee stage, where members will conduct a line-by-line review of the proposed legislation.
The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill aims to modernise existing measures related to the marketing, quantities, and measurements of products sold in the UK. Its primary objectives are to:
- Enhance consumer protection
- Stimulate economic growth
- Ensure fair business practices among online and high street retailers
Committee stage details
During the committee stage, Lords will meticulously work through each clause of the bill, starting from the beginning. They will consider potential changes to the wording and proposals for new clauses.
Several amendments have been put forward by members, focusing on key areas such as:
- Product safety
- Environmental standards
- Protection from risks posed by chemicals
Interested parties can follow the committee stage proceedings in several ways by watching live on Parliament TV or reading the Lords Hansard transcript, available approximately three hours after the debate.
The bill has already passed its second reading, which took place on Monday, 2 September 2024. This earlier stage involved a comprehensive debate on the key principles of the proposed legislation.
The outcome of this committee stage will play a crucial role in shaping the final form of this important piece of legislation.