Potentially dangerous eco-plugs available on online marketplaces result of outdated UK laws, warns leading consumer lawyer

An investigation by Which? found that the devices are still widely available to buy online, despite being the subject of multiple government recalls.

The plugs claim to save customers money on their electricity bills by “stabilising” voltage and “balancing” electric current to “optimise” the performance of household appliances.

However, Which? testing of eight of the devices bought from AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Shein, Temu and TikTok Shop found they failed basic electrical safety standards.

It said the online platforms all removed the listings it reported to them, but many identical-looking devices were still available on the same platforms weeks later.  

Which? added that most of the items its researchers investigated had poor quality soldering, contained too much lead – which is tightly regulated because of potential health side effects – and had unmarked non-standard capacitors, indicating they were not manufactured in the UK and therefore potentially unsafe.

Jill Paterson, a leading consumer lawyer from the personal injury team at Leigh Day said:

“Consumers should have the right to expect that the products they purchase in the UK are safe, fit for purpose, and match the description advertised. That should be true, whether the product is bought in a high street store or from an online marketplace.

“Unfortunately, the law as it currently stands is out of date. It is a sad truth that unsafe and recalled products are readily available online to consumers, with little redress when something goes wrong.

“This has to stop and the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill currently going through Parliament provides a rare opportunity to address this.”

In statements to the Press Association (PA), Amazon, eBay, AliExpress and Shein all said that they take safety very seriously and that they have rigorous policies in place to prevent unsafe items being sold. PA reported that TikTok had not responded to its request for comment.