Commission announces actions for safe and sustainable e-commerce imports
The European Commission is taking action to tackle risks stemming from low-value imports sold via non-EU online retailers and marketplaces hosting non-EU traders.
The envisaged actions are part of the Communication on E-Commerce, ‘A Comprehensive EU Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-commerce', which the Commission is proposing. The Commission encourages actions in the areas of customs and trade, such as launching customs controls, consumer protection and the Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts.
The proposals include, among others, new joint actions to address concerns arising from the surge of unsafe, counterfeit and otherwise non-compliant or illicit products entering the market:
- Customs reform, including calling for co-legislators to swiftly adopt the proposed Customs Union Reform Package, allowing rapid implementation of new rules to level the playing field in the area of e-commerce,
- Targeted measures for imported goods,
- Protecting consumers on online marketplaces, and
- Using digital tools, environmental protection, international cooperation and trade.
Next Steps
The Commission calls on the cooperation with Member States, the co-legislators and all stakeholders to put in place the measures outlined in the Communication.
Within a year, the Commission will assess the effect of the announced actions and publish a report on the findings of the increased controls.
More details to be found in the European Commission‘s press release of 5 February 2025.
