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Burnt radio socket: Dangerous cheap items
Photo: Marius Becker / dpa
Whether radio-controlled sockets that pose a risk of electric shock, faulty power-saving boxes or inverters that disrupt the police and fire brigade's radio services: Illegal or dangerous electrical goods were available for purchase in Germany last year to a much greater extent than before. In 2023, more than 73 million items from 8,100 different device types were removed from the market, the Federal Network Agency announced on Thursday in Bonn.
In 2022 there were 8,200 device types, with a total number of 16 million. Often there are only formal reasons that make a sales ban necessary, such as manufacturer information that is necessary for sales in Germany. But in many cases the products also posed tangible risks. In addition to the radio interference mentioned, inadequate insulation often poses a risk of fire.
“The trend of illegal and risky products from third countries continues,” explained authority President Klaus Müller. In collaboration with operators of online platforms, we were able to prevent millions of unauthorized items from coming onto the market. “In this way we protect consumers from dangers.”
Cooperation with customs
A reason for the increase was not given. The numbers fluctuate, in 2021 1936 offers were eliminated with a total number of 21 million. The different values are also due to the fact that in some years there are electronic items that are in large quantities in stock, while in other years there are products that only have relatively low sales volumes.
In order to get the problem under control and minimize the risk to consumers from dangerous products, the Federal Network Agency is working hand in hand with customs. This reported 5,116 shipments of goods to the Bonn authorities last year, 92 percent of which were not approved after inspection. In 2022, 4,800 shipments of goods were reported, 91 percent of which were refused to be passed on.
mik/dpa AFX