Dangerous light bulbs

Stonker

I bought some LED light bulbs online a few weeks ago and my girlfriend touching one while it was on took a shock and fell off a ladder. I have subsequently been told that all LED bulbs should have a cover over the LEDs, this one hasn't.


I don't think that the company is based in the UK (although this wasn't obvious at the time of buying). So my questions are:


1. Do light bulbs need to be CE approved (or some other certification) for sale/use in the EU/UK?


2. If Yes, who is responsible? (I believe it is the importer - Is that me or the company that sold them?)

shaun_from_Africa

When buying goods from overseas, the person buying them is classed as the importer (so keep your girlfriend sweet so that she doesn't sue you!).
Electrical goods being sold in the UK do need to be approved, but if the lamps you bought were sold by a foreign company then legally they were not being sold in the UK.


What was the website that you bought the lamps from?

Stonker

But if I ordered and paid in the UK with no knowledge that I was buying from oversees, how am I supposed to avoid that?


It was lightinthebox

Stonker

Looks like they are based in China

System

Stonker wrote: »

But if I ordered and paid in the UK with no knowledge that I was buying from oversees, how am I supposed to avoid that?


It was lightinthebox

On the front page of the website.

Low Prices Direct From Factory Suppliers retailer
As a China-based global online retailer, LightInTheBox.com has developed long lasting ties with factories, distributors and warehouses throughout the Chinese wholesale community. Eliminating unnecessary costs and delivering the lowest possible prices to customers worldwide, LightInTheBox.com is committed to providing high quality for less.

'China based' is a bit of a clue

Stonker

But when you google something you are then taken to the product page and order. Personally I always switch a light bulb off before touching it anyway but not everybody does

George_Michael

Stonker wrote: »

But when you google something you are then taken to the product page and order.

Possibly, but this doesn't mean that as a buyer you shouldn't do a few basic checks before buying.
Who are you sending money to,
where are they located,
how do I contact them,
Etc.

With the website in question there is no contact mailing address, no telephone number, no company number and no VAT registration number so you have in effect purchased potentially dangerous electrical goods from a totally unknown company.

Stonker

Just let it serve as a warning to others I guess. TBH, if I pay by credit card I tend to assume I'm protected. And for £8 or whatever, I tend not to worry too much anyway


I wonder if these bulbs are even legal in China

neilmcl

Stonker wrote: »

But when you google something you are then taken to the product page and order. Personally I always switch a light bulb off before touching it anyway but not everybody does

It's entirely your responsibility to know who you are buying from. You can't blame google for your lack of research.

LilElvis

Stonker wrote: »

Just let it serve as a warning to others I guess. TBH, if I pay by credit card I tend to assume I'm protected. And for £8 or whatever, I tend not to worry too much anyway


I wonder if these bulbs are even legal in China

Would you hand your credit card over to a guy selling stuff out of a suitcase on a street corner? I expect not, and yet you effectively do the same thing by not even making rudimentary checks on an online retailer before handing over personal information and your card details.

Stonker

I'm not blaming anyone. Why are people so obnoxious?


I paid through secureid