Experts have raised alarms about the safety of lighting products purchased through online marketplaces after a report found that 73% of tested items failed to comply with Australian standards. The Lighting Council of Australia (LCA) evaluated 131 lighting products from websites including Temu, AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, and Kogan.

Independent laboratory testing of three downlights from these platforms showed that all failed a critical safety test, catching fire when exposed to heat and flame. Additionally, two samples were destroyed during a high-voltage strength test. The report highlighted that two of the products that failed testing lacked model numbers, making them impossible to identify, trace, or recall.

"Even armed with laboratory evidence of serious safety defects, a regulator would struggle to identify the responsible supplier, compel a recall, or prevent the same product being re-listed the following day under a different seller name," the report stated.

Bea Sherwood, senior campaigns and policy advisor at consumer advocacy group Choice, noted that research indicates about 6% of people buying products on online marketplaces have suffered injury or property damage due to unsafe products. She emphasized the dangers, saying, "Home owners buy them thinking they're upgrading their lighting but all they're going to do is ignite a significant fire or cause a shock to someone in their own home."

The report underscores that electrical products primarily cause harm through fire and shock. It warns that the issue is no longer if someone will be hurt but when, and currently, no one is held accountable.

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