We're a trading nation. That means all manner of goods come and go over our borders. And coming over our borders recently have been some illegal and unsafe electrical goods. In the hair industry this is especially true of electrical styling tools such as Straightening Irons, hairdryers and curling tongs.

Our investigations reveal that, despite a recent crackdown by Energy Safety, unsafe electrical styling tools are still available, particularly on online auction sites such as Trade Me.

What's the problem?

Energy Safety, part of the Ministry of Economic Development, is responsible for overseeing the extensive safety rules for electrical products.

Energy Safety carries out regular audits of retailers and suppliers to check whether the goods they're selling are compliant.

It recently conducted an audit in Auckland. A small number of problems are generally identified during these audits, but at some low-price retail outlets it uncovered some alarming examples of illegal electrical goods.

Most of these non-compliant and unsafe products were located at low-price retailers or their suppliers. In many cases the non-compliant products were originally not intended for our market. This was because they were fitted with foreign plugs or incorrectly rated at 220 volts and not the 230 volts used here.

Our advice

• There is clear evidence that unsafe electrical styling tools are being sold
• We urge Energy Safety to continue its audit programmes - particularly of online auction sites - and to actively pursue transgressors
• We support the move to allow Energy Safety to issue infringement notices and instant fines. The sooner this system is in place, the better
• We would like to see the development of a single, clearly identifiable New Zealand safety "mark" that could be applied to products - even using a sticker - with appropriate penalties for misuse. Consumers need a simple and direct way to identify safe products.

Safety tips

• Be wary of any low-cost plug-in styling tools.
• Make sure the voltage rating of any mains-powered appliance you buy includes 230 volts. Anything else may be unsafe.
• Don't buy products that don't have the New Zealand flat-pin plug.
• Insure the have the C-Tick logo