Bought USB rechargeable light from Amazon that has no CE marking

DocQuincy

Not sure if this is the best place to post this but couldn't find anything more suitable. I guess it's sort of techie.

We are going camping this weekend and I bought a USB chargeable lantern from Amazon UK to hang in the tent. It has over 2k reviews, most of which were good, and the price was decent.

It has arrived and there is no CE marking on it (I always check this when buying electronic items online as I've heard you can get questionable electronic goods online). It is made in China and the way the copy on the packaging is written makes it look a bit shady — like it's been put through Google Translate. And the contact email is a Yahoo address!

I'm just wondering if it is safe to use; I know some products don't require CE marking. I don't really have time to replace it before we go away.

It is a 60W LED light with a 3.7v 8800mAh battery. It is just a standard USB connection for charging so I can use one of my many CE marked chargers to charge it.

Should this have been sold on Amazon? Is it safe to use? I presume once charged up and disconnected and running of its own battery is it unlikely to catch on fire but what about while charging?

If Amazon shouldn't be selling this, I'm surprised it has sold so many units up to date and no one has flagged it.

Thanks.

shiraz99

Do you have a link, was it actually sold by Amazon or a third-party?

gefnew

Read this may help.
CE marking - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

wongataa

It shouldn't be for sale if it doesn't have the required markings for the country it is being sold into.  BTW it is the UKCA mark that is required for the UK now we have left the EU.  CE is just for the EU.

Having a CE/UKCA mark doesn't mean it won't be dodgy though.

To be honest it will most likely be absolutely just as good as if it had the required markings.

Grey_Critic

not happy - just send it back.

DocQuincy

Thanks for the feedback.

This is the item: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07P7PWNXH/ There is nothing on that page or on the packaging, leaflet or product to indicate CE/UKCA. It came next day through Prime so I'd guess Amazon are fulfilling it.

The reason I'm reluctant to return it is the light is actually decent and I don't have time to get a replacement before we go away.

In the shorter term I'm wondering if it's safe to use and in the longer term if Amazon shouldn't be selling this and/or it's unsafe I should report it.

jon81uk

DocQuincy said:

Thanks for the feedback.

This is the item: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07P7PWNXH/ There is nothing on that page or on the packaging, leaflet or product to indicate CE/UKCA. It came next day through Prime so I'd guess Amazon are fulfilling it.

The reason I'm reluctant to return it is the light is actually decent and I don't have time to get a replacement before we go away.

In the shorter term I'm wondering if it's safe to use and in the longer term if Amazon shouldn't be selling this and/or it's unsafe I should report it.

It is not sold by Amazon.
"Dispatches from

Amazon

Sold by

Letour9228"

I think 90% of electricals on Amazon are sold directly from the Chinese manufactuers, Amazon do the fulfilment but the are not the seller.

However are you certain this product should have a CE/UKCA mark. I don't think I've ever seen a torch or similar with one?

Probably not worth worrying about this product, be more concerned about the mains to USB plug you are using.

DocQuincy

Thanks @jon81uk

A lot of stuff on Amazon is third-party isn't it? It's that it either comes from their warehouses or directly from the seller. Either way, aren't they responsible what is solid via their platform?

However are you certain this product should have a CE/UKCA mark. I don't think I've ever seen a torch or similar with one?

I don't know, that's part of what I'm asking, but maybe you're right. There is a link upthread that lists what need marking but I'm not 100% sure where something like this would fall.

Probably not worth worrying about this product, be more concerned about the mains to USB plug you are using.

It never came with a charger would only ever use a CE marked one.

darrensurrey

If I bought it, I'd probably still use it but not leave it to charge up out of sight for the very reasons you're fearing.

TBH these days, this is why I don't buy electronics from Amazon or Ebay. I'd rather pay the extra 30% you have to pay by buying from Millets or Blacks (in the case of camping kit) or Currys, Argos or Screwfix (depending on what it is), having read about the problems with cheap electronics made in China. I might use Ebay or Amazon for bulldog clips or coasters but that's it.

DocQuincy

Totally agree, @darrensurrey. It's always been in the back of my mind since I spoke to a fireman who lived on our street — and he said almost all electric fires they see are from cheap items bought online.

k_man

From the listing:
It is delivered by Prime, but sold by Letour9228.

Also,
It is not 60W, but maybe 5W to 10W.
It may be claiming output (on high) equivalent to a 60W incandescent bulb
It is not 5000 lumens, maybe 500-600
The runtime on high will be likely be much less than the stated 8 hours

As above it should have a CE marking, but anyone can print one of those, unless you are able to validate the rating? As such having a CE marking is no proof of quality.

There appear to be a number of listing for the same light with different brand names. Normally a warning sign to avoid.