As cross-boundary shopping becomes more popular in Hong Kong, the Consumer Council on Wednesday advised shoppers to exercise caution when purchasing electrical appliances from the mainland, warning that differing safety standards could pose significant risks.

The consumer watchdog highlighted the SAR's strict local regulations governing household electrical and gas products, which are designed to ensure user safety.

Chung Chi-yung, chairman of the committee on research and testing, said that while the mainland's "3C" certification confirms a product's basic safety, it does not guarantee the item is suitable for use in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong safety legislation is formulated based on local conditions and safety risks, and may therefore impose stricter requirements, such as the cross-sectional areas of flexible cords for extension units, or different specifications, such as the three-pin plugs standard to ensure public safety," he said.

Chung said a common issue is that many mainland products come with plugs that are incompatible with Hong Kong's three-pin socket system.

While adapters are often used, the council warned that this practice increases the risk of overheating and short-circuiting, particularly for high-power devices.

Chung strongly advised that any plug replacement should only be performed by a registered electrical worker.

The warning also extends to gas appliances, which he classified as high-risk.

He said all domestic gas appliances must be approved by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and bear a "GU" mark to show compliance with the Gas Safety Ordinance.

Furthermore, these appliances must be installed by registered gas installers.

This advisory comes amid a notable increase in related consumer issues, with the council receiving 431 complaints regarding cross-boundary online shopping in the first nine months of this year, a significant rise from the 256 complaints received in the same period last year.

Chung attributed this increase to a post-pandemic surge in cross-boundary online shopping.

To ensure safe purchases, the council advised consumers to always verify that products have the necessary safety certifications through official platforms, avoid do-it-yourself modifications, choose reputable sellers, understand the after-sales policies and opt for energy-efficient products where possible.