The Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) of the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) has issued a warning to consumers following a market surveillance operation that uncovered significant safety hazards in children's products purchased primarily from major e-commerce platforms, Shopee and Lazada. The operation found that a vast majority of the high-risk products sampled were non-compliant with safety standards, posing severe risks to children.
Key Findings of Market Surveillance
Throughout 2025, the CPSO purchased and tested 22 high-risk products across three categories: baby cots, strollers, and children’s jewellery (including accessories). The findings were alarming:
Failure Rate: 17 of the 22 products sampled were found to be unsafe as they failed to meet applicable safety standards under the Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations 2011 ("CGSR"). This represents a failure rate of approximately 77%.
Compliance: The remaining five products, which comprised toys for babies and young children, did conform to international standards for physical and chemical safety.
Common Safety Hazards Identified
The non-compliant products were found to harbor multiple dangerous hazards:
Baby Cots: Hazards included entrapment risks (openings wide enough to trap fingers or heads), strangulation hazards (points where clothes could get caught), and fall hazards (bases that could break easily or sides that were too low).
Strollers: Issues included fall hazards (frames or wheels breaking, inadequate restraint systems), choking hazards (small, detachable parts), and shearing and crushing hazards (moving parts that could trap or cut fingers/toes).
Children’s Jewellery: Critical risks included laceration hazards (ornaments detaching and exposing sharp points) and, most critically, button/cell battery ingestion hazards (watches with easily accessible battery compartments, leading to potential internal chemical burns if swallowed).
Ongoing Safety Incidents in Singapore
The findings are particularly concerning given ongoing injury trends. Data from the National Trauma Registry shows an average of about 140 cases of child injuries annually between 2022 and 2024 resulting from the use of baby cots, strollers, button batteries, and children's jewellery.
KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) noted a rise in cot- and stroller-related injuries over the past five years, primarily involving head injuries from falls. Dr. Ronald Tan, Chairman of the KKH Injury Prevention Working Group, stressed the importance of closer supervision by parents and caregivers.
Regulatory and Enforcement Action
The CPSO noted a sharp difference between online and physical retail: most physical retailers surveyed were able to produce supporting safety documentation. Under the CGSR, suppliers must ensure children’s products comply with international safety standards (ISO, IEC, EN, or ASTM International).
Mr. Alvin Koh, Chief Executive of CCS, stated that the commission has already worked closely with the e-commerce platforms and online retailers to remove the non-compliant products. He urged consumers who purchased identified products to stop using them immediately.
Suppliers who fail to comply with CPSO directions to stop selling unsafe products face severe penalties: a fine not exceeding S$10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both. CCS confirmed it will continue its market surveillance efforts to ensure consumer safety.
Guidance for Parents and Caregivers
Parents are advised to follow key safety tips when buying or using children's products:
Buy from authorised or reputable brands/suppliers.
Check product listings for age recommendations and safety instructions.
Compare reviews from reputable websites.
Inspect products for unsafe parts (e.g., sharp points, small detachable parts).
Ensure button or cell battery compartments are properly secured.
Consumers are encouraged to report any product safety issues to the CPSO.
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