The United Nations principles for consumer product safety, adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 80/119 on 15 December 2025, provide a global framework to help ensure that all products available to consumers are safe – whether sold online or offline.
They support member states in strengthening product safety laws, policies and enforcement, while promoting cooperation among governments, businesses and civil society.
Why the principles matter
The principles reaffirm the right of all consumers to safe products and call for a high level of protection, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers and in countries with less developed product safety frameworks. Unsafe products can cause injuries, economic loss and diminished trust in markets, undermining sustainable development.
Key responsibilities
- Businesses are primarily responsible for ensuring product safety throughout the product life cycle – from design and production to distribution and recall when necessary.
- Member states are encouraged to empower authorities to identify risks, order corrective measures such as recalls, and communicate effectively with consumers.
Responding to a global marketplace
With the growth of e-commerce and cross-border trade, the principles emphasize international cooperation, promote information sharing and the use of appropriate technologies to prevent the circulation of unsafe products. Strengthening product safety builds trust in markets and supports inclusive and sustainable economic development.
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) supports member states in promoting, disseminating and implementing the new principles through consensus-building, technical cooperation, and research and analysis. It facilitates cooperation and the exchange of best practices through intergovernmental forums and informal working groups, helping countries build and strengthen product safety frameworks and protect consumers worldwide.
UNCTAD is also developing its first Handbook and training on consumer product safety, with the support of the European Commission, to provide practical guidance for policymakers and regulators, particularly in developing countries.
History
The adoption of the UN principles for consumer product safety follows extensive intergovernmental work led by UNCTAD, the United Nations system’s focal point for consumer protection. A key role was played by the informal Working Group on Consumer Product Safety, established in 2018 at the third session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy.