Which? urges caution for Prime Day shoppers as unsafe products persist in online retail
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, said:
“As millions of shoppers dive into the deals from Amazon Prime Day, Which? is urging bargain hunters to take care when buying products from online marketplaces. While there are genuinely good deals on offer, our investigations have revealed safety issues with products sold through online marketplaces - including Amazon. Which? has exposed many instances of unsafe and even illegal products sold online - from fire-hazard heaters to choking hazards in children’s toys and sunglasses that fail to offer adequate UV protection.
“Which? recommends that shoppers look carefully at the brand, read a range of positive and negative reviews and check for information on safety standards (such as a CE/UKCA mark).”
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Notes to Editors
Amazon has told Which? that safety is a top priority and it requires all products to comply with applicable laws, regulations and Amazon policies.
In response to two recent investigations by Which?, Amazon said the following:
A spokesperson for Amazon said: 'Safety is a top priority, and we require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws, regulations and Amazon policies. We continuously monitor our store and take action to maintain a safe selection for our customers, including removing noncompliant products and reaching out to sellers, manufacturers, and government agencies for additional information. If customers have concerns about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service directly so we can investigate and help resolve their issue. The products in question have been removed.'
An Amazon spokesperson said: “Safety is a top priority at Amazon and we want customers to shop with confidence on our stores."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.”
Which? has a set of four key guidelines for avoiding dangerous products sold online - linked here