Update: ESF
‘Regulation, Responsibility, Risk’ - ESF Conference 2026
• Annual Electrical Product Safety Conference returns to London on 26 November
• Industry leaders to tackle regulation, risk and emerging technologies
• Focus on new legislation and the future of product safety C
onsumer safety charity Electrical Safety First is pleased to announce
that its annual Electrical Product Safety Conference will be taking place on Thursday 26 November 2026, at Church House, Westminster, London. Now in its 18th year, the conference brings
together leading experts and industry figures to explore the most pressing challenges in electrical product safety, share insight, and identify practical solutions. The theme for this year’s conference,
‘Regulation, Responsibility, Risk’, will provide practical insights on policy, compliance and enforcement. This will include the evolving legislative landscape and how the Product Regulation and Metrology Act might impact this. The conference will also examine how
emerging technologies are transforming product safety from design through to real- world use, as well as the safety challenges linked to a more circular economy as products are reused and repaired. Attendees will benefit from a full day of
expert-led sessions, with leading voices from across the product safety landscape sharing insight, best practice and emerging thinking. Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety
First, said: “Our conference comes at a pivotal moment for product safety. With regulation evolving and new technologies entering homes at pace, it is vital that safety keeps up. “Our latest conference is set to be our best
yet, bringing together government and industry leaders, alongside experts from across the sector, to share insights, challenge thinking and drive practical solutions. By working collaboratively, we can help ensure the UK’s product safety framework is robust, responsive and fit for the future.” The Electrical Product Safety Conference
2026 represents an opportunity for those committed to shaping a safer future for electrical products. Attendees will gain invaluable insights from leading experts on the latest trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. They will also network with over 200 professionals from diverse sectors, including
20 |
www.ierdaily.co.uk
government bodies, manufacturers, retailers, importers, legal experts and safety organisations.
About the conference This one-day event will be attended by 200+ government departments, manufacturers, retailers, importers, lawyers, fire and rescue services, and test houses. The theme for the event, as previously mentioned, is Regulation, Responsibility, Risk, exploring the key trends impacting the electrical product industry. The conference will investigate critical issues,
offer solutions, and share insights. A range of engaging presentations, panel discussions and fireside chats will cover topics including regulatory reform, the impact of technology on safety, safety in circularity, hazard- based approaches to high-risk products and Innovation vs Reality - A look at what really happens when a great idea meets UK electrical safety requirements. Delicious lunch, post-event drinks and plentiful
networking opportunities are all included. A brief look at the day’s agenda shows a 09.00
Registration and opportunity for networking. The Welcome and Opening remarks will include Susannah Streeter, Broadcaster and Analyst, plus, Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive, Electrical Safety First. ‘Regulatory Reform’ is the opening keynote highlighting the need to stay ahead of product safety reform with practical insights on policy, compliance and enforcement and making sure your organisation is ready for what’s next. ‘Impact of Technology on Safety’ follows,
discovering how emerging technologies are transforming product safety from design to real-world use - so you can anticipate new risks, responsibilities and opportunities.
PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE ‘Safety in Circularity’ - As products are reused,
repaired and recirculated, safety questions grow. This session explores how to build trust, clarify responsibilities and protect consumers across long and complex product lifecycles. ‘Safety Innovation Award’ – Announcement
of Winner ‘Hazard-based approach to high-risk products’
– Knowing what high risk is and focusing on what matters when risk is highest. Discover how hazard and risk-based thinking can support smarter decisions, clearer accountability and stronger protection—while enabling innovation. ‘Innovation vs Reality’ will be a look at what
really happens when a great idea meets UK electrical safety requirements.
Hosts
Lesley Rudd, CEO, Electrical Safety First Lesley has worked in the energy industry throughout her career. Starting originally with British
Gas in Newcastle she moved to London and worked on both gas and power projects in the UK and abroad. She later joined the Sustainable Energy Association, where she spent around eight years campaigning on sustainability and Net Zero, before joining Electrical Safety First in 2020 – a place where she was able to combine her twin passions for safety and sustainability. Lesley was awarded an Order of the British
Empire Medal in the 2020 New Year Honours list for services to UK energy markets and clean growth. Susannah Streeter, Broadcaster and Analyst Susannah provides award- winning analysis to the world’s media as part of her role as Head
of Money and Markets for the UK’s largest retail investment platform, Hargreaves Lansdown. As BBC anchor, with a career spanning two decades in broadcasting, she presented flagship global business shows on TV and radio, and now speaks at major conferences around the world, focusing on macro-economics, energy, sustainability, defence and artificial intelligence. Susannah covers seismic changes affecting
the retail landscape in the wake of the pandemic, digital shopping trends and sustainability targets. Susannah is a popular podcaster. She hosts the HL Switch Your Money On investment podcast, presents the Tech Directions podcast with Microsoft and EY, anchored the How to Grow a CMO series, co-hosted the BackSpace and Beyond tech podcast, featured on BBC Radio 2, and was a presenter for the World Business Report podcast on the BBC World Service.
• To find out more, please visit: https://www.
electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/conference
Summer 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
