Protecting people’s safety: Warning issued on sales of 3D printed products

Residents and businesses across Lincolnshire are being urged to ensure 3D printed products are correctly labelled and meet safety regulations.

The warning comes from Lincolnshire County Council Trading Standards, who have seen increasing numbers of non-compliant products being sold on online marketplaces.

Many 3D printed products are classed as toys and need to comply with relevant standards. This is vital and helps to ensure the items are safe and don’t pose a choking risk to children, for example.

Anyone selling products is required to ensure their safety and display important information by law, including:

GB name and address for the manufacturer (or importer)
A product identifier, type, batch, serial or model number
The CE and/or UKCA mark

Neil Bartlett, trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said:

“With the increasing popularity of 3D printers, we’re seeing more products that don’t meet the important safety standards that are in place to protect people.

“Trading Standards monitor online marketplaces and carry out regular inspections of products. Any that are found to be unsafe may be seized and destroyed and the printers behind them could also face legal consequences.

“It’s also worth noting that trademarked characters and logos by brands such as Disney are subject to intellectual property rights and should not be reproduced without the authority of the trademark holder.”

Examples of 3D printed products seized by Lincolnshire County Council Trading Standards

Find out more

Anyone manufacturing or distributing 3D products can find out more about their legal responsibilities and the labelling required for their items at the following links:

Many 3D printed products are classed as toys and fall under The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011

If no product specific legislation applies, then the product falls under the scope of The General Product Safety Regulations 2005

Further information can be found on the handy Business Companion website. By using the search option, you will find advice on areas such as:

Novelty, decorative and ornamental giftware
Toys
Intellectual property (trademarks, copyrights and patents)
General product safety

More in depth business advice is available from Lincolnshire Trading Standards. The service can also check labels to ensure products comply with applicable legislation (charges apply).

Further information about Lincolnshire Trading Standards business advice services can be found on our website.

Published: 11th September 2025