When the Swedish Electrical Safety Authority examined around twenty products from companies claiming to operate within the EU, all products were found to be dangerous to use.
All had technical deficiencies that could lead to electric shock or fire, says Per Samuelsson, head of department at the Swedish Electrical Safety Authority.
Shipped from China
The review included 19 different operators that the authority suspects are selling electrical products via so-called dropshipping. This means that an operator sells goods that it does not have in its own warehouse, but when the customer has purchased an item, it is delivered from other trading platforms - such as Chinese Temu, Shein or Ali Express.
They have seemed to operate within Europe, but when we received the electrical products sent home, they were usually from a completely different sender. Mainly Chinese, says Per Samuelsson.
The agency ordered 22 products, of which 18 arrived. None of the products, which ranged from USB chargers to shavers and kettles, met EU safety requirements.
For example, we noticed that they cannot withstand heat, that there is a risk that the product's shell will melt and start to burn, says Per Samuelsson.
Difficult to change
The Swedish Consumers' Association has also noticed that problems with dropshipping have increased in recent years. Deliveries do not show up and do not match the descriptions.
As a consumer within the EU, you have the right to cancel your purchase, but when the seller turns out to be operating outside the Union, it can be difficult to exercise your consumer protection.
Most of the time it's impossible, because it's impossible to find who sold it.
Lina Conrad/TT
Facts: How do I know if the product is safe?
TT
Search for the product in images before ordering. If the same image comes up from operators outside the EU, the product is probably not from the EU.
Before ordering the product, you should check that there is contact information for someone responsible for the product within the EU. This should be an importer or manufacturer.
If you have received the product, you can check that it comes with a user manual in Swedish and that the labeling is correct. Compare it with the requirements that must be set for that type of product. Information about labeling is available from the Swedish Consumer Agency or the Swedish Electrical Safety Authority.
