An alarming investigation by consumer watchdog Which? has uncovered hundreds of dangerous products being openly sold on major online marketplaces including Amazon Marketplace, eBay and Etsy.
Shocking Safety Failures
The research, conducted in November 2025, revealed that nearly 800 products identical or similar to items previously flagged as dangerous by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) remain available to UK consumers. Disturbingly, 98% of these products were classified as posing either a 'serious' or 'high' risk to people's safety.
Which? developed a specialised tool that used simple Google image searches to quickly identify products matching those officially declared unsafe. On average, these hazardous items had been reported to authorities nearly six months earlier, yet remained available for purchase.
Children's Products Among Most Dangerous
The investigation uncovered a terrifying array of products marketed towards young children that contained potentially fatal choking hazards. From wooden musical toys to 3D-printed dinosaurs, these items put the most vulnerable consumers at direct risk.
Perhaps most concerning were the over 100 examples of baby sleeping bags identified that pose a serious risk of asphyxiation. Many featured hoods that could cover a baby's face and cause suffocation, while other designs lacked arm holes, creating situations where babies could slip down inside the bag and smother.
Multiple Hazards Across Product Categories
The safety failures extended far beyond children's products. Researchers found 142 examples of a poorly designed aluminium ladder that has repeatedly collapsed during safety tests, putting users at risk of serious falls and injuries.
Counterfeit cosmetic products, including wax warmers and nail steamers, were identified as posing severe electrocution risks. Even seemingly innocent household items such as heaters and bedside lamps contained faulty wiring that could lead to devastating house fires.
When Which? tested 15 of the identified products, the results were stark: all but one posed serious safety risks, with the remaining product still failing to meet UK safety regulations due to illegal labelling.
Widespread Impact on UK Consumers
The scale of the problem becomes clear when considering shopping habits. Which? research shows that 90% of UK consumers have made purchases on online marketplaces in the last two years, with approximately 24 million people being regular users.
Tragically, the consequences have been severe. At least 8.8 million people have experienced harm from faulty, unsafe or fraudulent products bought from online marketplaces. The investigation confirmed that dangerous products sold through these platforms have resulted in people across the UK losing their lives, homes and suffering serious physical injuries.
Metro has contacted Amazon, Etsy and eBay for comment regarding these alarming findings. The continued availability of these products raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current safety measures on major online retail platforms.
