Online marketplaces are not deemed to be retailers and have no legal responsibility for ensuring the safety of products. The British Toy and Hobby Association & Electrical Safety First are calling for changes to legislation, preventing third-parties selling unsafe products to UK consumers.
More accountability must be placed on online marketplaces, and the companies who run them, to ensure consumer safety by recognising online marketplaces as economic operators in the supply chain.
Online marketplaces must improve their verification and complaints processes, inform consumers when they are buying from a third party, remove unsafe products, and proactively identify unsafe products, such as recalled goods.