The European Commission and four leading online marketplaces have signed a Product Safety Pledge to remove dangerous products from listings more quickly, including electronic gadgets and accessories.
Alibaba (AliExpress), Amazon, eBay and Rakuten - France have signed the pledge. In response to notifications on dangerous products from member state authorities, products will be removed within two working days, and action will be taken as a result of information from customers within five working days.
Vĕra Jourová, EU commissioner for justice and consumers, said: “E-commerce has opened up new possibilities for consumers, offering them more choice at lower prices. Consumers should be just as safe when they buy online as when they buy in a shop. The Product Safety Pledge will further improve consumer safety. I call on other online marketplaces to join this initiative.”
Online sales represented 20% of the total sales in 2016 in the EU, according to Eurostat. The EU e-Commerce Directive includes take-down procedures for problematic content online, but it does not regulate those procedures in detail.
The deal with the four companies includes providing a clear way for customers to notify them of dangerous product listings on their sites, with such notifications having to be treated “expeditiously”, with an “appropriate response” having to be given within the five working days.
The four must also consult information on recalled/dangerous products available on the EU Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products and also from other sources, such as from enforcement authorities, and take appropriate action when they can be identified.
In addition, they must take measures aimed at preventing the reappearance of dangerous product listings already removed, and provide information/training to sellers on compliance with EU product safety legislation.
