Consumer group Choice finds several cheap toys bought from online retail Temu fail safety standards

Toys from a cheap overseas retailer can quickly turn deadly for children, a consumer group has found.

A host of electronic toys sold by Chinese-owned Temu have failed Australian battery safety standards, according to consumer group Choice.

Choice found 15 products were unsafe, including an LED tutu skirt, musical keyboard, a writing tablet and building blocks.

“It shouldn’t take a Choice investigation to ensure unsafe products are removed from their website,” Choice chief executive Ashley de Silva said.

“Our results are a worrying reminder of the potential for these kinds of products to slip through the net, putting children in Australia at risk of serious injury or even death.”

Batteries in the offending items can easily be removed by kids. Pictures: Choice

The consumer group anonymously bought 15 random coin and button battery items from the retail giant in May, and found all 15 failed Australian standards.

A $12.79 LED tutu skirt was the most dangerous. The lithium battery compartment was not childproof and could be popped open easily with a fingernail.

“Choice continues to call on the government to introduce a general safety provision, which would make it illegal for businesses to sell unsafe products in the first place,” Mr de Silva said.

Temu has so far resisted calls to join a voluntary product safety pledge.

“We’re disappointed to see a big company like Temu flouting mandatory button battery safety standards,” Mr de Silva said.

Choice chief executive Ashley de Silva says retailers need to at least agree to voluntary safety standards. Picture: Supplied

“We urge Temu to join other online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon and sign up to the voluntary Product Safety pledge, which provides additional protections to consumers.”

Choice says Temu removed three of the offending 15 items when the consumer group notified the retailer of its results. All 15 have since been pulled.

The full list is: Square watch, spinning top with launcher, light up projectile with fins, space figurine building blocks, writing tablet (lithium battery), finger spinning top, slap-on animal watch, tutu skirt (lithium battery), camera projector, projector watch, LED tea light (lithium battery), coin cell charger (lithium battery), musical keyboard, cartoon projector, and electronic pet game.

An LED tutu skirt which consumer group Choice found particularly dangerous for children. Picture: Choice

A Temu spokesperson says the retailer is a marketplace for third-party sellers.

Temu claims it requires “merchandise partners” ensure their products meet applicable regulations where they are sold.

The retailer confirmed Choice’s account - three of the items in question were removed immediately, and the remaining 12 were later taken off the site.

“Temu entered the Australian market just over a year ago, and since then, we’ve actively listened to feedback from customers and stakeholders and continuously adjusted our offerings and services to better fit local practices while aligning with the quality control requirements of the Australian market,” the spokesperson said.

The retailer says it requires prospective sellers sign agreements affirming their commitment to product safety and adherence to regulation in intended markets. After that, the Temu spokesperson said the company provided help and information on compliance requirements in “various” markets.

Further, the spokesperson said Temu did product spot checks, and removed products if customers raised concerns.

Originally published as Consumer group Choice finds several cheap toys bought from online retail Temu fail safety standards