A major consumer safety alert has been issued after a damning investigation uncovered thousands of illegal and potentially deadly child car seats being sold to British parents on popular online platforms like eBay and Shein.
The investigation, led by the child car seat specialist Child Seat Safety Ltd, found a staggering 73% of the 150 seats it purchased from these sites failed to meet basic UK safety standards. Many were horrifyingly substandard, lacking crucial safety components, featuring incorrect labelling, and being sold with no or poor instructions.
The Hidden Dangers in Your Shopping Cart
These are not just minor infringements. The flaws discovered are critical and could have catastrophic consequences in the event of a collision. Experts found:
- Seats with fake ECE regulation labels (R44/04), the legal requirement for sale in the UK.
- Critical safety components, like the top tether strap essential for forward-facing seats, completely missing.
- Incorrect and poorly written installation manuals, increasing the risk of dangerous misuse.
- Use of brittle plastic that could shatter on impact.
"These seats are an accident waiting to happen," warned Julie Dagnall, director of Child Seat Safety Ltd. She emphasised that using a non-compliant seat means a child is "not protected how they should be" and that parents are being "misled into a false sense of security."
The Online Marketplace Loophole
The core of the problem lies in the legal structure governing online sales. While traditional retailers are considered the 'economic operator' and are legally responsible for the products they sell, online marketplaces often argue they are merely hosting third-party sellers.
This creates a dangerous grey area where unsafe products can flourish. Despite the findings, a spokesperson for eBay stated the company "works closely with a range of organisations to prevent unsafe products being listed" and removes items that breach its policies. Shein did not respond to requests for comment.
What Parents Need to Do Now
Experts urge parents to exercise extreme caution when shopping for this vital safety equipment. Their key advice includes:
- Avoid unknown brands on marketplaces: Stick to reputable retailers and well-known brand names.
- Look for the 'E' mark: Ensure the seat has the genuine ECE R44/04 or R129 (i-Size) label.
- Beware of prices that seem too good to be true: A genuine, safe car seat is a piece of complex safety engineering and cannot be sold for £20.
- Seek professional advice: Many retailers offer fitting services and expert guidance.
The investigation has been passed to Trading Standards, who have the powers to remove products and prosecute sellers. However, the onus remains on parents to navigate a marketplace flooded with dangerous fakes.
