The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) of the European Parliament will hold a public hearing on February 17 to address the safety of products in the single market. The hearing will focus specifically on e-commerce and imports from third countries, highlighting the increasing challenges of monitoring and ensuring compliance in the digital age. Participants will include representatives from the European Commission, businesses (including online platforms), consumer associations, and national surveillance authorities.
1. Context and Key Issues
Exponential Growth of E-Commerce
- The rapid expansion of online platforms (marketplaces, specialized websites) provides consumers with access to a wide range of products but complicates the verification of compliance with EU regulations (safety, labeling, public health requirements).
- Many sellers operate from outside the EU, making the enforcement of rules and resolution of disputes over non-compliant or unsafe products more challenging.
Imports from Third Countries
- The EU imports a growing volume of goods directly from third countries, particularly through direct-to-consumer sales channels.
- Customs controls are fragmented among Member States, limiting the effectiveness of detecting unsafe or non-compliant products.
Role and Responsibility of Platforms
- Marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, eBay, AliExpress) facilitate connections between third-party sellers and EU consumers, raising questions about their responsibility for unsafe or non-compliant products sold through their platforms.
- Existing initiatives like the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Product Safety Regulation have clarified certain aspects, but IMCO seeks to further strengthen measures to ensure product safety online.
Consumer Protection and Fair Competition
- Consumers must be guaranteed a high level of safety, regardless of whether they shop in physical stores or online.
- European companies adhering to EU standards demand fair competition, as low-cost imported products often bypass regulations, distorting the market.
Harmonization and Market Surveillance
- To address disparities in national systems and the rise of e-commerce, the EU is considering harmonized measures and enhanced surveillance mechanisms, such as targeted inspection campaigns, increased customs cooperation, and digital tools.
2. Objectives of the IMCO Hearing
- Evaluate compliance of products sold online with existing legislation (e.g., CE marking, labeling, safety standards).
- Identify gaps in market surveillance, customs control, and cross-border cooperation.
- Explore measures to ensure effective enforcement of rules, particularly regarding the responsibility of platforms for third-party sellers and the swift removal of unsafe products.
- Gather perspectives from a broad range of stakeholders, including the European Commission (DG GROW, DG JUST, DG TAXUD), consumer associations, digital platform representatives, national surveillance authorities, and customs officials.
3. Towards New Measures?
Strengthening Market Surveillance
- Potential adoption of enhanced obligations for platforms (e.g., preventive checks, rapid alert systems, proactive removal or blocking).
- Establishment or expansion of shared databases on non-compliant sellers, potentially including blacklists for targeted inspections.
Harmonizing Controls and Customs Cooperation
- Improve information sharing among Member States on non-compliant products.
- Clarify the responsibility of each actor (importer, distributor, platform) for products in breach of regulations.
- Enhance training for customs and surveillance authorities to address the evolving challenges of e-commerce (e.g., new packaging types, dropshipping).
Supporting Compliance and Traceability
- Promote technological solutions (e.g., blockchain, advanced barcodes) to improve product traceability.
- Develop guidelines to help SMEs comply more easily with safety standards.
- Consider stricter rules for the sale of products (e.g., verifying compliance documents, prohibiting suspicious listings).
- Assess whether to expand certain obligations outlined in the Digital Services Act or other sectoral regulations.
Drafting an IMCO Initiative Report
- Following the hearing, IMCO may propose policy and legislative recommendations, potentially leading to an initiative report or influencing future proposals by the European Commission.
Conclusion
The February 17 hearing will be a key milestone in strengthening consumer trust in the digital single market and protecting against unsafe or non-compliant products. The focus will be on collaboration among stakeholders (customs, platforms, national authorities, and the European Commission) and exploring new legislative measures to enhance product safety and support fair competition. The resulting initiative report could serve as a foundation for reforms aligning with other relevant frameworks, such as the Digital Services Act and the General Product Safety Regulation.
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