Illegal Car Seats Resurface Online a Decade After Recall

More than a decade after their initial recall, illegal child car seats are still being sold online, according to consumer watchdog Which? The seats, which fail to meet safety standards, have been found on various online marketplaces including eBay, Little Dreams, ManoMano, Shein, and Wish. Despite their removal from sale in 2014, Which? discovered over a dozen violations still available for purchase.

The consumer organization emphasized that these dangerous products pose a significant risk to children. With prices ranging from £12.50 to just under £40, these seats attract families who may be struggling with the rising cost of living, offering a cheaper alternative to safer options that typically start at around £80.

Officials from Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards have previously referred to these car seats as “killer car seats.” The safety defects of these seats include a thin base and a lack of a single central release point for the harness. This is critical, as proper positioning of the seat belt across a child’s lap is essential for safety. Moreover, the presence of multiple buckles can complicate rescue efforts in the event of a crash.

Additionally, these car seats lack side impact protection, increasing the risk of injury during an accident. The products identified by Which? also failed to display the required orange labels that indicate compliance with safety regulations. In the UK, child car seats must carry either an R44 or R129 regulation label to be legally sold.

Despite listings on eBay identifying these items as car seats, full product descriptions included warnings against their use in vehicles. One listing explicitly stated, “Note: it is best not to use it on high-speed cars. We recommend that it be used in non-motorised products such as electric vehicles, two-wheelers, and electric vehicles.”

Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?, expressed outrage at the persistence of these dangerous car seats in online marketplaces. “It is appalling that these deadly car seats are reappearing on online marketplaces more than a decade after Which? first exposed them,” she stated. Davies highlighted the urgent need for online marketplaces to take responsibility for the sale of such products, particularly as families facing financial hardship may be drawn to their low prices.

The Product Regulation and Metrology Act has been introduced to enhance product safety laws, but Davies argues that further regulations are necessary to impose clear legal responsibilities on online marketplaces. She noted, “Children’s lives will be at risk, with less affluent households most likely to be affected.”

Concerns about the safety of child car seats were echoed by PC Rachael Wonfor from Warwickshire Police. At a recent car seat checking event in Rugby, Wonfor expressed shock at the number of fitting errors and inappropriate seats discovered. She recounted a particularly alarming case involving a harness system that was incorrectly assumed to be legal. “These harnesses were not only illegal but would offer a child no protection in the event of a crash,” she explained.

In response to the ongoing issue, an eBay spokesperson stated that consumer safety is their top priority. The company employs seller compliance audits and AI-supported monitoring to prevent the listing of unsafe items. They assured that they swiftly removed the questionable listings and notified buyers.

On the other hand, Shein defended its practices, claiming that the product had been mislabelled by a third-party seller. “Upon being notified, Shein immediately removed it from the site,” they stated. They emphasized that vendors must adhere to their stringent safety standards and relevant laws.

Despite these assurances, Wish.com and ManoMano did not respond to requests for comment regarding the issue.

The persistence of illegal child car seats in online marketplaces poses a concerning threat to child safety, highlighting the need for stronger regulatory measures and increased vigilance from both consumers and online platforms.