Consumer Watchdog Warns of Illegal Car Seats Resurfacing Online

Despite being recalled a decade ago for failing to meet safety standards, illegal car seats are still available for purchase online, according to a report from the consumer watchdog Which? The organization recently found over a dozen listings on various online marketplaces, raising alarms about the safety risks these products pose to children.

Recalled Products Resurface

The car seats, which were initially identified and removed from sale in 2014, have reappeared on platforms such as eBay, Little Dreams, ManoMano, Shein, and Wish. The prices for these hazardous seats range from £12.50 to just under £40, significantly lower than the average market price of around £80. This price difference may attract families facing financial constraints, putting their children’s safety at risk.

Local authorities, including Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, have labeled these products as “killer car seats.” The seats are identified by severe safety defects, such as having a thin base and lacking a central release point for the harness. These flaws make it difficult to secure a child properly and could hinder quick rescue efforts in the event of an accident.

Serious Safety Concerns

In addition to critical harness issues, the unsafe car seats lack necessary side impact protection, a feature essential for preventing a child’s head from hitting the interior of the vehicle during a collision. Furthermore, the illegal items do not carry the requisite orange labels that indicate compliance with safety regulations. Only car seats that meet R44 or R129 regulations can be legally sold in the UK.

One eBay listing for these products, while labeled as car seats, warned against their use in vehicles, suggesting they are more suitable for non-motorized products. The description cautioned, “Note: it is best not to use it on high-speed cars,” highlighting the dangerous nature of these listings.

Sue Davies, the head of consumer protection policy at Which?, expressed her outrage, stating, “It is appalling that these deadly car seats are reappearing on online marketplaces more than a decade after Which? first exposed them.” She emphasized that children’s lives are at risk, particularly for less affluent households that may be drawn to these cheaper, yet dangerous, alternatives.

The recent findings underscore the need for enhanced regulations regarding product safety online. Davies noted that while the Product Regulation and Metrology Act is a positive step towards improving product safety laws, more comprehensive regulations are required to ensure online marketplaces are held accountable for the sale of unsafe goods.

PC Rachael Wonfor from Warwickshire Police shared her concerns after discovering numerous fitting errors and inappropriate seats during a child car seat check event in Rugby. During the event, she encountered a harness-type system that was not only illegal but would provide no protection in the event of a crash. “I was shocked to find a high number of fitting errors,” she said, adding, “These harnesses were not only illegal but would offer a child no protection in the event of a crash.”

Officials continue to call for stricter enforcement of product safety regulations. The re-emergence of these car seats raises urgent questions about how many other unsafe products are being sold and used daily, potentially endangering children’s lives.

In response to the findings, a spokesperson for eBay stated, “Consumer safety is a top priority for eBay.” The platform has committed to removing prohibited listings and enhancing measures to prevent the sale of unsafe items. Shein also responded, indicating that the product in question had been mislabelled by a third-party seller and was removed upon notification. Both eBay and Shein emphasized their commitment to consumer safety and compliance with relevant regulations.

Despite these assurances, ManoMano and Wish did not respond to requests for comment regarding the ongoing presence of these dangerous products on their platforms. The situation remains a pressing concern for parents and safety advocates alike.