Northwich MP backs campaign to regulate online device sales
NORTHWICH MP Mike Amesbury is backing a campaign to raise awareness about the online sale of dodgy electrical products.
The MP for Weaver Vale was one of several politicians approached by the charity Electrical Safety First to support the campaign which is working to tighten online regulations.
He said: ‘I support the charity Electrical Safety First’s campaign to tighten regulations around the sale of electrical goods in online marketplaces because of the potential dangers associated with substandard items.
“The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, chaired by my Labor colleague Dame Meg Hillier MP, recently published a report which revealed weaknesses in the UK’s overall product safety regulatory regime.
“The report warned of “significant gaps in the regulatory framework”, including in the powers of regulators to effectively regulate goods sold online.
“And the committee said the consequences of unsafe products are “severe and should not be underestimated”. One example referenced was the Grenfell Tower fire which killed 72 people because it started from a faulty fridge freezer.
The charity discovered many dangerous devices being sold online
A letter from the charity in support of its online shopping campaign, warning that local residents remain exposed to highly dangerous electrical products sold online.
As more people continue to turn to online marketplaces in search of bargains, the charity is warning local residents they risk being duped by potentially dangerous gimmicks.
A recent investigation revealed a number of highly dangerous faulty appliances, claimed to save consumers money on their energy bills, being sold on the eBay online marketplace. These devices lacked basic safety components, with some even exploding in specialized tests.
Previous investigations have revealed potentially deadly phone chargers, counterfeit hair dryers and extension cords that pose a serious risk of electric shock, all sold through online marketplaces.
Lesley Rudd, Managing Director of Electrical Safety First, said: “It is imperative that the UK Government imposes the same standards on online marketplaces that it applies to High Street retailers.
“Gaps in the law allow opportunistic traders to take advantage of lax regulations.
“That’s why we’re calling on MP Mike Amesbury to ensure the people of Weaver Vale have adequate protection from buying potentially dangerous electrical goods from online marketplaces.”