Digital Consumer Product Safety Research and Innovation Network

Lead Participant: OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY

Abstract

UK digital/online trade is a £130 bn p.a. success story. This success is underpinned by the high quality of UK products. This quality is underpinned by world class consumer product safety regulation which makes the UK one of the most attractive places to do buy goods online. However, the regulations underpinning this admirable reputation have to adapt to the rapidly emerging new products which incorporating novel digital technologies such as ChatGpt, novel AI tools that learn and try to predict actions or connect through the internet to unforeseen websites. Further the regulations are being challenged by new ways of selling products online, For example, people might be able to buy products through their TVs, social media clubs or flash sales on mobile phones.

This means the regulations must adapt and that this adaption must give the buyers the confidence that what they are buying is of high quality and trustworthy. Further, the regulations must also provide the buyer the confidence that the online route they are buying through is also trustworthy and robust. If done right, this will give UK digital products and services a serious reputational advantage over products arising from other nationalities as people can continue to trust British products and UK-based sales routes.

This discovery project aims to set up a Digital Consumer Product Safety Research and Innovation Network which can provide regulators with the required knowledge, insights and data that will help them to make high quality decisions regarding new regulations in this market and how to monitor the markets so people selling unsafe products are removed and are unable to expose consumers to risks.

Lead Participant

Project Cost

Grant Offer

OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY £28,320 £ 28,320
 

Participant

CHARTERED TRADING STANDARDS INSTITUTE £3,000 £ 3,000
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS £3,023 £ 3,023
THE AVPA LTD £3,000 £ 3,000
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE £6,011 £ 6,011

Publications

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