The Fachverband Seile und Anschlagmittel e.V. (FSA) trade association has issued a warning about the dangers of defective products

The Chinese online platform Temu is becoming increasingly popular in Germany, especially due to its aggressive advertising campaigns, low prices and supposedly attractive offers such as free shipping and discounts. However, as recent test purchases and subsequent investigations show, there are considerable safety risks behind the tempting façade.

During the detailed inspection of lashing straps and loop straps, the Fachverband Seile und Anschlagmittel e.V. (FSA) (Professional Association for Ropes and Sling Gear) identified significant risks and serious safety deficiencies in the products.

These include, for the lashing straps:

• A significant lack of strength in the systems under direct tension.
• Deformation and failure of components, e.g. the profile hooks are already bent open before reaching the permissible tensile force (Lashing Capacity, LC) (see Figure 1) and the locking slide has deformed inadmissibly in the hand lever test (see Figure 2).
• The unauthorised application of the CE marking.
• The failure to comply with the labelling requirements on the tags.

In the case of loop straps, these include:

• The required breaking strength is dramatically undercut: actual 3.2–3.6 t vs. nominal 14.0 t (according to the order confirmation of a 2 t loop strap)
• Incorrect labelling or no labelling of the associated maximum working load (Working Load Limit, WLL) (see Fig. 3).
• Incorrect colour coding of the strap, contrary to the stated DIN EN 1492-1 (see Fig. 4).

The professional association expressly points out that the purchase of such products is associated with very considerable risks to the life and limb of the user. The quality assurance and compliance with European standards were not guaranteed for the purchased products. The deficiencies identified can lead to serious safety problems during use. The problem is that the technical deficiencies cannot be seen with the naked eye.

The professional association has now called in the Düsseldorf district government as the market surveillance authority and is calling on Temu and other online platforms for cheap products to fulfil their responsibility and ensure that the products offered meet European safety standards. At the same time, it is calling on politicians to regulate the import of unsafe products more strictly and to better protect consumers.

——————————————————————————————————————

Photo 1: The profile hooks are already bent open before reaching the LC. (Photo: FSA)

Photo 2: The locking slide has deformed in an impermissible way in the hand lever test. (Photo: FSA)

Photo 3: Incorrect or no labelling of the associated WLL. (Photo: FSA)

Figure 4: Incorrect colour coding of the sling, contrary to the stated DIN EN 1492-1. (Photo: FSA)