The Hidden Risk in Canada’s Online Electrical Marketplace
April 9, 2026
By Electro-Federation Canada
Online shopping has reshaped the way Canadians buy electrical products. From lighting and wiring devices to power supplies and consumer electronics, products are now just a click away. But convenience has introduced a growing and largely invisible risk: the proliferation of unapproved electrical products sold through online marketplaces.
Across the electrical industry, concerns have been building for several years. Products that would never make it onto the shelves of traditional distributors or retailers are increasingly available online, often without clear evidence of Canadian certification. For consumers and contractors, the difference between a compliant product and a non-compliant one is not always obvious. The consequences, however, can be serious.
A recent National Workshop Agreement (NWA) led by CSA Group, in collaboration with the Standards Council of Canada and the Canadian Advisory Council on Electrical Safety, brought regulators, manufacturers, retailers, online marketplaces, and certification bodies together to examine the issue. The findings confirm what many in the sector have observed firsthand: the current online environment contains significant compliance gaps.
Under provincial and territorial legislation, electrical products sold in Canada must meet national safety standards and carry a recognized Canadian certification mark. This framework has long protected homes, workplaces, and job sites. In traditional retail channels, it works well. Products are vetted before they reach shelves, and certification marks are visible and verifiable.
Online marketplaces operate differently. Product listings often omit certification details, display non-Canadian approvals, or provide incomplete technical information. In a review of 89 consumer electrical products across six major online platforms, only 5 percent clearly indicated approval for the Canadian market. That statistic should give the industry pause.
The challenge is not simply one of enforcement. It is also one of perception. Many consumers assume that products sold on major online platforms are inherently safe. The brand recognition of the marketplace creates an implied trust, even when certification information is absent. For contractors and procurement teams working under tight timelines, verifying compliance through a product listing can be difficult and time-consuming.
Workshop participants were clear on one point: no single organization can solve this alone. Electrical safety in the online era requires shared responsibility. Regulators, certification bodies, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and online platforms each have a role to play.
Online marketplaces, in particular, are central to the solution. Requiring verifiable proof of certification within product listings, whether through images of certification marks or direct links to certification body databases, would significantly improve transparency. Stronger seller verification processes and alignment with initiatives such as Health Canada’s Canadian Product Safety Pledge would further strengthen oversight.
At the same time, Canada would benefit from clearer and more consistent communication of federal, provincial, and territorial requirements. Manufacturers and sellers operating across jurisdictions often face confusion about obligations. A more unified national approach would support compliance while reinforcing safety expectations.
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) has been actively engaged in this space. In 2021, EFC partnered with provincial regulators, certification agencies, SCC, and other safety stakeholders to launch a national web portal focused on educating consumers and electrical customers about buying electrical products online. The initiative provides practical guidance on identifying certification marks, understanding which products require approval, and reporting non-compliant products.
Education alone is not a complete solution, but informed buyers represent an important line of defence. When purchasers understand what to look for, unsafe products are less likely to gain a foothold in the market.
As e-commerce continues to grow, the industry faces a critical question: how can it preserve the accessibility and efficiency of online sales without compromising Canada’s strong electrical safety framework?
The answer lies in collaboration, transparency, and accountability. The standards exist. The certification infrastructure is in place. What is required now is consistent application in the digital marketplace. Before adding an electrical product to an online cart, buyers should confirm that it bears a recognized Canadian certification mark. It is a simple step, but one that protects homes, businesses, and reputations.
The convenience of e-commerce should not come at the cost of electrical safety. With coordinated action, it does not have to.
For those with further inquiries, please contact Rob McIntyre at Electro-Federation Canada: rmcintyre@electrofed.com
