The United Nations General Assembly has approved a landmark resolution establishing the first-ever United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety to protect shoppers from hazardous goods.
Approved on Dec. 15, 2025, the resolution upholds the right of all consumers to safe products whether sold online or offline.
The framework mandates that all consumer items, including new, used, repaired and reconditioned goods, should be safe when placed on the market. Under the new guidelines, businesses bear the primary responsibility for ensuring safety by integrating quality assurance and risk considerations across the entire product life cycle.
The principles empower public authorities to conduct risk assessments, order recalls and remove unsafe listings from online marketplaces.
Authorities are also encouraged to share safety alerts across international borders to better track dangerous goods. The framework is designed to be flexible and non-trade-restrictive, helping member states align domestic legislation with circular economy goals and sustainable consumption.
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that 44 percent of member states still lack adequate legal frameworks for product safety. Enforcement remains a significant challenge due to the rapid expansion of e-commerce. An OECD study found that 87 percent of recalled or banned products remain available for purchase online, often remaining beyond the reach of national regulators.
For businesses, the resolution demands prompt corrective action when products are found to be unsafe. If companies fail to act, relevant authorities are authorized to intervene with measures such as risk warnings, product withdrawals, destruction of unsafe goods or repairs where feasible.
To assist countries in implementing these standards, UNCTAD is developing its first Handbook on consumer product safety to offer practical guidance for policymakers.
While the resolution focuses on global standards, the economic impact of unsafe goods remains a concern for emerging markets. In some regions, market surveillance programs have required funding exceeding P10 million to effectively monitor digital trade and protect vulnerable consumers from substandard imports.
