23/10/2026
According to an investigation by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) over 90% of Halloween costumes sold online do not comply with UK laws.
The report explores children's Halloween costumes sold via online marketplaces and how they compare to the UK safety standards.
Of the products assessed as part of this investigation, 91% failed to meet UK legal requirements, with issues ranging from missing safety warnings and traceability information to wider labelling and compliance failures. The findings highlight the significant risks posed by products entering the UK market through online platforms and reinforce calls for stronger measures to prevent unsafe goods from reaching consumers.
To read the full report, visit the link below -
https://www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy-campaigns/news-room/2026/over-90-of-halloween-costumes-sold-online-don-t-comply-with-uk-laws/
CTSI advises consumers to:
🎃Always buy from reputable retailers. If you do buy from an online marketplace then buy from a UK based seller
🎃Check the packaging for a UKCA or CE mark, and for the name and address of a UK-based manufacturer or importer. Safety warnings should be present where required
🎃Read all of the safety information, both on the label and in the online listing
Research the seller by checking reviews and ratings, and be wary of ‘too good to be true’ deals
🎃Check the costume has not been recalled by visiting the Government website
🎃Remember that homemade is not always safer, as cotton, netting, felt and synthetic fabrics can all be highly flammable
🎃Report anything suspicious to the online marketplace, request a refund, and report it to Trading Standards via the relevant consumer services .
WY Joint Services
