Some baby products, kids’ jewellery sold online found to be unsafe: S’pore consumer safety watchdog

SINGAPORE - Some baby products and children’s jewellery sold online have been found to be unsafe, Singapore’s consumer safety watchdog has found.

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) said in a press statement on Nov 13 that 17 of 22 products tested did not meet safety standards. These products were baby cots, strollers and children’s jewellery, including accessories.

CCS’ Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) had purchased and tested 22 products offered mainly by suppliers on retail platforms Shopee and Lazada throughout 2025.

“Of the 22 higher-risk products sampled, 17 were found to be unsafe as they did not meet applicable product safety standards,” CCS said.

The remaining five products, which consisted of toys for babies and young children, were found to conform to international standards for physical and chemical safety.

Non-compliant baby cots were found to have hazards such as points where clothes could get trapped and potentially cause strangulation.

Others were found to have openings and moving parts or sides that were wide enough to trap a child’s fingers or head.

Some had bases that could break easily and cause falls, or sides with insufficient height to prevent children from climbing out.

Meanwhile, strollers were found to have frames or wheels that broke while passing over uneven surfaces, or had inadequate restraint systems – both of which could allow a child to fall out.

Some strollers had small and detachable parts that could cause choking, while others had moving parts that could trap, pinch or cut a child’s fingers or toes.

Non-compliant children’s jewellery was found to have potential laceration hazards, with ornaments that detached during testing to expose sharp points.

There were also watches with button battery compartments that were easily accessible to children, who could get internal chemical burns if they swallowed the battery.

CCS said it has worked with the e-commerce platforms and online retailers to remove the non-compliant products.

“Consumers who purchased the identified products should stop using them immediately, and those with similar products should be mindful of potential hazards,” said CCS chief executive Alvin Koh.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, Shopee said on Nov 13 that the safety and well-being of its customers have always been its top priority.

“We work closely with regulators and relevant authorities to promptly remove any identified non-compliant listings and to ensure that products sold on our platform comply with applicable safety standards,” a spokesman for the e-retailer said.

The spokesman added that customers who encounter issues with their purchases can submit a return or refund request directly through the platform.

“We also continue to work closely with our sellers through regularly updated advisories and platform policies on listing requirements, ensuring they remain informed and aligned with regulatory standards,” the spokesman said.

Lazada on Nov 14 said all product listings identified by CPSO as non-compliant have been removed from its platform.

It added that it takes product safety and regulatory compliance very seriously.

“We have robust policies and measures in place to uphold product safety, including advanced detection systems and dedicated teams that proactively monitor and review listings for potential violations,” it said.

“Lazada also has clear reporting mechanisms and a swift review process to address such concerns quickly and effectively.”

Safety incidents involving children

CCS said the National Trauma Registry recorded an average of about 140 cases of child injuries annually between 2022 and 2024 from the use of baby cots, strollers, button batteries and children’s jewellery.

It also cited KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital as saying that incidents of children’s injuries involving baby cots and strollers were mainly head injuries from falls.

Dr Ronald Tan, a senior consultant at the hospital’s department of emergency medicine: “We have seen a rise in cot- and stroller-related injuries over the past five years.”

Dr Tan, who is also chairman of the KKH injury prevention working group, added: “This trend reminds us of the importance for parents and caregivers to be present, exercise greater caution, and provide closer supervision when using cots and strollers.”

CCS advises parents and caregivers to take steps to ensure safety when buying or using children’s products.

This includes buying from authorised retailers or reputable brands and suppliers, and checking online listings or product labels for age recommendations and safety instructions.

Parents and caregivers should also compare reviews from reputable websites or other sources to assess the product’s quality, as well as potential safety concerns.

Before using the products, they should also check for unsafe parts such as small detachable parts and sharp points or edges, said CCS.

For items that use button or cell batteries, they should ensure that battery compartments are properly secured and cannot be easily accessed by children during use.

Most physical retailers in Singapore selling baby cots, strollers and toys that the CPSO has surveyed can produce documents that state that their products have been tested to relevant safety requirements, said the release.

Customers who encounter product safety issues should report them to the CPSO at

http://go.gov.sg/contact-cpso