The recent warning about electric shock and fire risks associated with phone chargers sold on major online platforms like Amazon, B&Q, and eBay has raised serious concerns among consumers and safety advocates alike. This issue highlights the growing problem of counterfeit and poorly manufactured products flooding the market, often with devastating consequences.
The consumer watchdog, Which?, conducted a thorough investigation, testing 15 USB phone chargers purchased from various online marketplaces. Their findings were alarming: nine out of the 15 chargers were deemed so unsafe that they could deliver an electric shock, and eight of them also posed fire and explosion risks. These chargers were sourced from Amazon, AliExpress, B&Q Marketplace, Debenhams Marketplace, and eBay.
One particularly disturbing discovery was a charger sold as an Apple USB-C 35W Power Adaptor on eBay for £11.99, complete with the Apple logo. Upon testing, it was found to be a dangerous fake, emitting arcing sounds that could lead to fires, explosions, or electric shocks. The charger's case even contained a lump of modeling clay, suggesting an attempt to mimic the feel of a genuine product.
Which?'s investigation also uncovered a USB-C charger on Amazon's low-cost platform, Amazon Haul, for £6.99, which failed electrical safety tests and posed a shock and fire risk. Similarly, a 2-1 Super Fast Charger from B&Q Marketplace, costing £10.99, also failed safety tests and had the potential to cause explosions, fires, or electric shocks.
The issue of counterfeit chargers is not new, but the scale and impact of these unsafe products are concerning. As Which?'s head of consumer protection policy, Sue Davies, noted, "Badly designed electricals like these can have life-altering – even fatal – consequences. Online marketplaces have known about the danger of knock-off chargers for the better part of a decade, but consumers continue to be placed at risk."
This problem extends beyond individual chargers. Two unbranded phone chargers bought from eBay sellers for £2.10 and £2.80 also posed significant risks of fire, explosion, and electrocution. The use of modeling clay to weigh down chargers is a common tactic among counterfeiters, as noted by Electrical Safety First's chief executive, Lesley Rudd, who emphasized the intentional nature of counterfeiting and its focus on maximizing profit at the expense of safety.
The investigation's findings have prompted calls for stricter regulations and legal responsibilities for online marketplaces. The government is urged to utilize its new powers under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act to update product safety legislation and impose a clear legal duty on these platforms to ensure the safety of products sold through their third-party sellers. This would set a world-leading standard for product safety in the digital age.
While all the retailers involved in the investigation have removed the unsafe listings, the incident underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring product safety in the online marketplace. It also highlights the need for consumers to be vigilant and for regulatory bodies to take proactive measures to protect public safety.
