Warning to UK shoppers over unsafe products sold on Black Friday
UK shoppers have been warned to carry out checks before purchasing products online over Black Friday and Cyber Monday due to the prevalence of unsafe products being sold through digital platforms.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is the UK’s national product regulator, and is responsible for ensuring consumer goods are safe and compliant with regulations.
Ahead of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas shopping season, the regulator has issued a warning to raise awareness over the many unsafe products sold through online stores.
Unsafe products can lead cause damage and injury through breaking, catching fire, or causing electric shocks. The regulator cited a study which found that one in four people had bought a counterfeit electrical product online.
OPSS warned that even well-known and trusted online marketplaces occasionally list unsafe products, and urged the public to pause and carry out a number of simple checks before purchasing.
UK shoppers are encouraged to do the following before confirming a purchase when shopping online:
- Check the seller – Research the seller’s name, location, and how long they have been operating.
- Read their reviews – Look for detailed, legitimate reviews that describe the product and mention safety.
- Verify product descriptions – Read the description of the product and check for usage instructions and safety information.
- Check if the product has been recalled – Search for ‘product recalls’ on the GOV.UK website to check if the product you are considering purchasing has been recalled.
OPSS will be rolling out a social media campaign over the shopping season targeted at 16- to 25-year-olds, as it said this group is more likely to both make frequent impulse purchases and be influenced by social media.
Below is an example of the material OPSS will be publishing as part of its awareness campaign.
