According to testing commissioned by consumer safety advocates, over 100 of the 130 products examined did not comply with Australian Standards for electrical safety, with several catching fire during laboratory tests. The findings, first reported by the ABC, underscore the risks consumers face when purchasing cheap lighting from platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Temu.

The products, ranging from LED strip lights to decorative lamps, were purchased from popular online marketplaces and subjected to the same tests required for goods sold in brick-and-mortar stores. In many cases, basic insulation failed, wiring was undersized, and components lacked proper certification marks. The worst offenders were found to overheat rapidly, melt, and ignite nearby materials within minutes.

"This is a significant safety failure," said a spokesperson for the consumer group that commissioned the tests. "Consumers assume that if a product is for sale in Australia, it meets our standards. That is clearly not the case here."

Online marketplaces have responded by noting that third-party sellers are required to comply with local laws and that they have processes to remove non-compliant listings when notified. However, critics argue that the current system relies too heavily on reactive enforcement rather than proactive screening. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has previously raised concerns about the safety of goods sold via online platforms and is currently reviewing the effectiveness of existing regulations.

The findings come amid broader scrutiny of e-commerce safety. Last year, the ACCC issued warnings about faulty electronics and toys, and this latest testing adds to the evidence that more stringent measures may be needed. The Australian government has signaled it may consider new laws to hold platforms more accountable for the safety of products sold through their sites.

For now, consumers are advised to look for products bearing certification marks from recognised testing authorities, such as the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM), and to avoid the cheapest unbranded options. However, advocates say the burden should not fall on shoppers alone. "It should not be a game of Russian roulette every time you buy a light bulb online," one campaigner said.