Choice, the Australian consumer advocacy group, has filed a formal 'super' complaint to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) after uncovering a range of unsafe and potentially banned products being sold on major online marketplaces. The investigation found items including cigarette lighters shaped like children's toys, prop cigarettes, gel blasters, flick knives, and fake tongue studs available on platforms such as eBay, Amazon, AliExpress, Temu, and Shein.
Details of the Investigation
Choice purchased and received several toy-like novelty lighters and cigarettes from these marketplaces, as well as sky lanterns from Shein. All of these products are permanently banned in Australia due to the risk they pose to children or general fire hazards. Additionally, fake tongue piercings that could cause choking were found on AliExpress and eBay. While these specific items have since been removed, Choice argues that the current laws are insufficient to prevent such dangerous goods from being sold.
Call for Legal Reform
Choice's campaigns director, Andy Kelly, emphasized that online marketplaces operate in a 'grey area' of product safety law, often acting as intermediaries without direct responsibility for the goods sold. He stated, 'We've been shouting from the rooftops about Australia's lax product safety laws since the 60s really. Consumers are still being put at risk and far too many people are still being harmed.' Choice is urging the ACCC to review and tighten product safety laws to close this loophole.
The ACCC has confirmed it will carefully review the complaint and issue a public response within 90 days. The regulator noted that unsafe consumer goods in digital markets remain a compliance priority for the second consecutive year. Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh highlighted that recent federal budget funding aims to strengthen product safety, including mandatory safety obligations for online marketplaces and higher penalties for non-compliance.
Retailer Responses
Amazon stated that customer safety is a top priority, using advanced AI models and dedicated teams to monitor listings. Shein said vendors who fail to comply face penalties, including bans. Temu added the novelty lighter listings to a platform-wide blocklist. AliExpress and eBay both took swift action to remove non-compliant products, with eBay emphasizing proactive monitoring.
Choice's survey found that 6% of Australians who bought products online in the past two years suffered an injury or property damage. The group hopes this complaint will be a catalyst for lasting reform rather than temporary fixes.
