Mystery shopping, lab tests to keep online buyers safe

Enterprise S'pore ups checks on e-commerce sites as more products enter online market

Clockwise from far left: A small-parts tester that simulates the windpipe of a three-year-old to test if a toy is a choking hazard. Ms Tham Yoke Chun showing that a baby cot should have a minimum 30cm drop-side in an open position, to prevent a baby
A template used to test whether a pacifier is a choking hazard. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
A photo of some of the testing tools with toys in background. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Ms Tham Yoke Chun, manager of the general laboratory at SGS Testing and Control Services Singapore, with some tools she uses for product testing. SGS is one of the labs that partner Enterprise Singapore to test consumer products for compliance with i
Ms Tham Yoke Chun, manager of the general laboratory at SGS Testing and Control Services Singapore, with some tools she uses for product testing. SGS is one of the labs that partner Enterprise Singapore to test consumer products for compliance with international safety standards. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Clockwise from far left: A small-parts tester that simulates the windpipe of a three-year-old to test if a toy is a choking hazard. Ms Tham Yoke Chun showing that a baby cot should have a minimum 30cm drop-side in an open position, to prevent a baby
A small-parts tester that simulates the windpipe of a three-year-old to test if a toy is a choking hazard. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Clockwise from far left: A small-parts tester that simulates the windpipe of a three-year-old to test if a toy is a choking hazard. Ms Tham Yoke Chun showing that a baby cot should have a minimum 30cm drop-side in an open position, to prevent a baby
Ms Tham Yoke Chun showing that a baby cot should have a minimum 30cm drop-side in an open position, to prevent a baby from slipping off. This cot does not meet the requirement. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
A sharp-point tester used to test the sharpness of small toy parts. It will light up if the item is deemed to be too sharp. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Updated
Published
December 27, 2019 at 5:00 AM
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The availability of online shopping means it has never been easier to spot a bargain, but it has also meant no end to the number of shoddy goods flooding the market and posing a risk to buyers.

Operating on a digital marketplace is a low-cost affair so anyone can set up shop, making even more products accessible to shoppers.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 27, 2019, with the headline Mystery shopping, lab tests to keep online buyers safe. Subscribe

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