Alongside 63 organisations, EFIC calls on EU policymakers to urgently address persistent regulatory loopholes in relation to online trade via online marketplaces.
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With the rapid growth of e-commerce, these platforms have become critical enablers of e commerce from third countries, particularly by linking EU consumers with third-party sellers from outside the European Union. In many cases, this results in sellers bypassing the internal market system that requires an operator in the EU who ensures that all products and packaging placed on the EU market are safe and compliant with EU legislation.
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To preserve the integrity of the EU internal market and ensure the effectiveness of EU legislation, it is essential that online marketplaces are assigned clearer and stronger obligations. By addressing this legal loophole, the EU can create a more coherent, enforceable, and future-proof regulatory framework that ensures that all actors giving products access to the internal market - regardless of their physical location or business model - adhere to the same high standards of safety, sustainability, and fairness.
Key recommendations for strengthening online marketplace accountability and product compliance in the EU:
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A mandatory economic operator in the EU for product compliance
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The recognition of online marketplaces as economic operators
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Enhanced obligations for online marketplaces
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Improved product and seller traceability
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Strengthened customs for small parcel imports
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Strengthened enforcement of existing EU rules