Bira backs campaign against the sale of dangerous baby products
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has co-signed an open letter to Business Minister Justin Madders supporting urgent action to prevent the sale of dangerous baby products on online marketplaces, following a Which? investigation that found over 30 potentially deadly baby sleeping bags still being sold despite official recalls.
Alarming revelation
The investigation revealed that online marketplaces including Amazon, eBay and Etsy have been allowing the sale of baby sleeping bags with fatal design flaws, including hoods that could cover a baby's head and face, and missing arm holes that could cause infants to slip down inside the bag and suffocate.
Open letter to support the campaign
The open letter, signed by dozens of organisations representing hundreds of companies, calls for secondary regulations under the recently passed Product Regulation and Metrology Act (PRaM Act) to include:
- A clear legal duty on online marketplaces to prevent the sale of unsafe products
- Tough penalties backed by strong enforcement powers
- Proper resources for regulators such as Trading Standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards
Bira's support for the campaign reflects the organisation's ongoing commitment to fair trading practices and consumer protection. The association regularly campaigns on issues affecting independent retailers and works to ensure a level playing field across the retail landscape.