Hidden risks for consumers

Non-compliant products bypass safety checks, says expert.

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QUALITY ASSURANCE: WATCH OUT FOR UNCERTIFIED ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.

Consumers are warned to watch out for uncertified appliances international electrical sold on online marketplaces as concerns mount over the potential risks these items pose, such as electric shocks and fires.

Khensani Ndobe, international export sales executive at CBI-electric: low voltage, says when it comes to electrical products, the difference between safety and disaster often hinges on a simple certification label.

"Understanding the importance of this label can be a matter of life and death," she says.

She points out that certified items undergo stringent testing and audits by regulatory and certification bodies to confirm their safety and suitability for market distribution.

"In contrast, non-compliant products bypass safety checks and can lead to severe consequences, including property damage, electrocution and even death." Certain electrical products imported and sold on some online platforms fail to comply with the safety, environmental and performance standards required by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), she says.

"Merchants selling to these e-tailers have circumvented the proper channels and protocols to launch their products into the market, skipping crucial steps, such as testing, obtaining certifications and acquiring Letters of Authority.