Consumer groups and trade bodies are urging tougher rules on online marketplaces after a Which? snapshot investigation on 28 August 2025 found 35 potentially dangerous baby sleeping bags still for sale, despite earlier safety alerts and recalls.
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has co-signed an open letter to business minister Justin Madders calling for stronger oversight to stop unsafe baby products being listed and relisted on major platforms.
Why baby sleeping bags are being flagged
Which? reported that several baby sleeping bags sold by third-party sellers on Amazon, eBay and Etsy carried design features linked to suffocation risks, including hoods that can cover a baby’s head and face and missing armholes that could allow an infant to slip down inside the bag.
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UK safety notices this year have highlighted the same hazards, with the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issuing alerts on hooded sleeping bags and items lacking required features under standard BS EN 16781:2018.
Calls for clear legal duties and enforcement
Bira and other signatories want secondary regulations under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 (PRaM Act) to place a clear legal duty on online marketplaces to prevent unsafe listings, backed by strong penalties and resources for Trading Standards and OPSS.
The PRaM Act, which received Royal Assent on 21 July 2025, creates powers for government to hold platforms to account for product safety and to strengthen enforcement.
Industry and legal analyses note that detailed rules now need to be set so regulators can act quickly against repeat listings of unsafe goods.
What parents need to know now
Safety agencies advise avoiding baby sleeping bags with hoods or without armholes, checking sizing to prevent slippage, and monitoring official recall pages for updates.
Recent OPSS alerts show that some flagged products originated from third-party sellers on global platforms, reinforcing concerns about marketplace controls and seller verification.
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By GlobalDataFor families, the practical takeaway is simple: buy baby sleeping bags that meet recognised standards and follow recall instructions where issued.
