New research published by consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) today reveals that nearly three quarters (73%) of people in the UK are completely unaware of the risks they face when purchasing electrical goods from online marketplaces, such as Amazon Marketplace, eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Wish.

The research of 2,000 UK adults was released to coincide with the launch of their new ‘Don’t be Electricked’ campaign in the run up to the Christmas shopping peak, when millions of consumers across the UK may turn to online marketplaces for their gift buying.

The new campaign aims to raise consumer awareness of the risks that seemingly everyday electrical products – such as a hairdryer, a mobile phone charging cable, or a set of Christmas tree lights – could present if they are bought through third-party sellers on online marketplaces.

In the UK, online marketplaces are not required by law to check the safety of products offered on their sites in the same way as high street shops and conventional online retailers, such as Curry’s and John Lewis. The risk of unsafe products finding their way into homes across the country is increasing, as marketplaces become more popular with consumers looking for convenience and cost savings.

The new ESF research revealed:

● 69% of people have purchased potentially unsafe electrical items via online marketplaces over the last two years;
● 73% do not know about the lack of safety regulations in buying from online marketplaces;
● 70% say they will change their shopping habits now that they’ve been made aware of a lack of regulations;
● 83% believe online marketplaces should check the safety of the products;
● 85% think the UK government should introduce regulations to ensure online marketplaces face the same legal obligations of safety as conventional retailers;
● The top reasons for choosing to buy electricals via online marketplaces are lower cost (50%), range of products (45%) and ease of home delivery (44%);
● 39% say they are not confident in knowing what safety labels and certifications to look for;
● 36% expect to buy more from online marketplaces in the future because they make price comparisons easier;
● 56% say they would complain to the online marketplace if they had a safety problem with a product, even though these sites do not have any obligation to provide them with a means of return or recourse.

Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, commented: “Online marketplaces are growing fast. However, most UK shoppers don’t realise these sites are under no obligation to check the safety of products or claims of their suppliers.

“We also know poor quality or fake electrical products are increasingly being offered for sale on these sites. Whilst they might look like premium brands, they often contain cheap or faulty components that can overheat and catch fire, or deliver an electric shock. We urge people to prioritise safety – Electrical Safety First’s website has a list of helpful tips.”

Previous investigations by the charity have found highly dangerous, fire risk devices claiming to save households money on their energy bills, e-bike chargers that risk causing a devastating fire, and counterfeit and substandard gadgets, all putting shoppers in danger – all via online marketplaces.

The ESF research found that when informed of the risks, seven in ten (70%) consumers said they would change their shopping habits, with 28% saying they will only buy products from brands they recognise and trust.

With nearly a third of Brits (32%) admitting to never checking safety credentials when purchasing online goods online – and 39% saying they are not confident about what to look for – ESF is calling on the Government to change the regulations to better protect consumers.