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Which? is calling for ‘tough new laws’ to make selling platforms responsible for ensuring safety of their electronic products.
Illegal and potentially unsafe “energy-saving” plugs are widely available online in the UK, a report has found. Which? is calling for ‘tough new laws’ to make selling platforms responsible for ensuring safety of their electronic products.
The “eco plugs” – which in some cases cost little more than £5 – can seem appealing to UK households struggling with higher energy bills or who are looking to improve their green credentials, the consumer body Which? said.
But it found that several of those it tested failed basic electrical safety standards. Which? said its researchers tested eight devices from sites including Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Shein and Temu, and found no evidence that they worked.
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“More concerningly, they failed basic electrical safety standards, meaning they are illegal and potentially dangerous,” said a spokesperson. Many of the devices made “dubious” energy-saving claims, said Which?, and had attracted a raft of poor customer reviews.
Which? said Labour Party ministers must ensure these new laws gave online marketplaces “clear legal responsibilities” for keeping potentially dangerous products off their sites, “backed up by tough enforcement, including heavy fines, when businesses fall short”.
Shein told the Guardian it “takes product safety very seriously … Upon learning of any claims, Shein immediately removes the item(s) from its site as a precaution while the company investigates.”
Temu told the national newspaper it “requires traders to meet the safety standards of the markets they are selling to”, and that in this case, its monitoring had flagged the product and removed it from the platform before Which? got in touch.
An Amazon spokesperson said: “We require all products to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and we take action to maintain a safe selection for our customers. These products have been removed.”
A spokesperson for AliExpress said: “The listings of the product that failed Which?’s test have been removed.”
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