COMS

Proposed Community Interest Company

Centre for Online Marketplace Safety

Check before
checkout.

Helping people recognise, report and respond to unsafe, dangerous and fake products sold through online marketplaces.

I’m concerned about a product Explore the mission
Our focus
Products
sold online Unsafe Dangerous Fake

Physical consumer products offered by online marketplace sellers — not software or digital products.

CCentre
OMSOnline Marketplace Safety

A clear centre of focus for a shared public-safety problem.

Why COMS

The sale happens online.
The harm happens at home.

COMS is being developed as an independent, public-interest organisation focused specifically on products sold through online marketplaces.

Its role will be to turn complex product-safety information into practical consumer education, focused campaigns and evidence that can support constructive action.

The word Centre is deliberate. The aim is to provide a clear focal point that complements specialist safety organisations, regulators, trade bodies and consumer groups.

01

Prevent

Help shoppers identify warning signs before placing an order.

02

Respond

Explain what to do when an online purchase appears unsafe or causes harm.

03

Evidence

Support responsible evidence capture, human review and public-interest research.

04

Advocate

Build awareness and encourage stronger marketplace accountability.

Concerned about a product?

Protect people.
Preserve the evidence.

  1. 1

    Stop using it

    Switch it off, unplug it or move it safely out of use. Do not take risks to test a suspected fault.

  2. 2

    Deal with immediate danger

    For a fire, serious injury or immediate threat to life, use the appropriate UK emergency service.

  3. 3

    Keep the record

    Save the listing URL, order details, seller name, photographs, packaging and messages. Do not rely on the listing remaining online.

  4. 4

    Make an official report

    Use the government’s product-safety reporting route so the relevant authority can assess it.

COMS is not a regulator and a submitted concern is not, by itself, a confirmed safety finding.

UK product-safety reporting guidance

A clear separation

Public-interest work, supported by commercial technology.

The proposed Centre for Online Marketplace Safety CIC (working brand: COMS) and IRELCO LTD will be separate legal organisations with documented agreements between them.

Commercial company

IRELCO LTD

  • Owns and develops FOLO-UP
  • Owns and develops Fetchly
  • Owns the software, source code and infrastructure
  • Undertakes research and evidence programmes

Licences technology and supplies services under documented agreements.

Technology licence Services agreement
Community-interest company in formation

Centre for Online Marketplace Safety CIC

  • Consumer education
  • Public-safety campaigns
  • Advocacy and awareness
  • Partnerships and grant-funded projects

Uses IRELCO technology to deliver defined community-benefit work.

Connected public-safety work

One mission.
Multiple routes to action.

The proposed CIC can deliver broad education while specialist campaign channels address particular moments, products or risks. Technology and infrastructure remain IRELCO property and are supplied under agreement.

01

Thwartly

Consumer education designed around one powerful habit: check before checkout.

Visit
02

Unsafe Products

A plain-language route for people searching for help with an unsafe product.

Visit
03

Report Dangerous Ladder

A focused campaign route for ladder-related product concerns and education.

Visit
+

Future campaigns

New public-interest initiatives can share one transparent support route while keeping their specialist purpose.

In development

The consumer journey

Before. During. After.

Before checkoutQuestion the listing
When it arrivesCheck the product
If something is wrongStop, record, report
For wider changeShare evidence responsibly

The working name

Why “Online Marketplace Safety”?

It names the setting and the public-interest purpose directly, without suggesting that the products themselves are digital.

A defined field. Online marketplace safety covers the consumer journey around physical products offered by marketplace sellers.

A stable centre. “Centre” signals a home for education, campaigns, evidence and constructive collaboration.

A memorable short name. COMS can stand alone while the full legal name explains the mission.

COMS is the working brand. The proposed legal name is Centre for Online Marketplace Safety CIC. Formal company-name and trade-mark clearance remains necessary before incorporation or brand registration.

Support the mission

Online marketplace safety needs independent public-interest work.

Donations are not open yet. The support route is being prepared now so it can later be shared consistently across every participating campaign website.

Donation information

Straight answers

Frequently asked questions

Is COMS already a registered CIC?

No. This is a provisional website for the proposed Centre for Online Marketplace Safety CIC. The proposed company is not yet incorporated, and its formation documents still require approval.

Is COMS a charity?

No. The proposed structure is a Community Interest Company, not a registered charity. Its legal status will be stated clearly after incorporation.

Does COMS own FOLO-UP or Fetchly?

No. IRELCO LTD owns and develops FOLO-UP, Fetchly, their source code and supporting infrastructure. The proposed CIC would use relevant technology only under documented agreements.

Can I donate today?

Not yet. Donations will open only when the CIC exists, an account in its own name is ready, an appropriate payment provider has approved the organisation, and the necessary public policies are in place.

Does a report prove that a product is unsafe?

No. A consumer concern or listing signal is a starting point for evidence capture and controlled human review. It must not be presented as a confirmed safety finding without appropriate evidence and assessment.