Following this week’s conformance deadline (April 29^th), SafeShark, the leading authority in connected product testing, has conducted analysis of more than 100 connected consumer devices currently on the market. The results show that a staggering three-quarters of these devices are still not compliant with the legal requirements set out in the Product Security and Telecoms Infrastructure Act.

SafeShark's testing revealed the concerning statistic that 92 of the 124 products (74%) we have checked in the past 24 hours fail to meet the necessary requirements. Plus,

• Only 41% of the manufacturer websites had information about their vulnerability disclosure process - which is a mandatory provision in the legislation;
• Only one quarter of product websites had the PSTI standard security support date mentioned for the product.  Interestingly, 10% of products had PSTI information but did not quote the security support period as specified by the Act.

The findings underscore the urgent need for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to prioritise compliance to ensure consumer safety and satisfaction.

Non-compliance carries potentially severe penalties, including withdrawal from UK market access and fines of £10m or 4% of global turnover, whichever is higher. That’s before any legal repercussions or damage to brand reputation. As consumers increasingly rely on connected devices in their daily lives, it is imperative for businesses to uphold the standards of quality and safety set out in the legislation as a minimum.

Commenting on the results, SafeShark Director Alex Buchan said: "The level of non-compliance we've uncovered is deeply concerning. It's clear that many manufacturers are falling short in meeting the essential requirements for connected consumer devices. The legislation provides businesses with explicit guidance on what compliance entails, and the OPSS can enforce stringent penalties against companies that fail to adhere to these regulations. We urge all stakeholders in the industry to take immediate action to address these issues."

SafeShark stands ready to assist manufacturers, retailers, and distributors in navigating the complexities of compliance and ensuring their products meet the necessary standards. By partnering with SafeShark, businesses can streamline their compliance journey and safeguard their reputation in the marketplace.

For more information on SafeShark's testing services and how we can help your business achieve compliance please contact our team directly.