In its 2026 work programme, the Commission announced the upcoming review of the Standardisation Regulation, the New Legislative Framework, and the Market Surveillance Regulation. These three initiatives are named together under the “European product act”. The Commission aims at updating old rules and strengthen the Union market, especially with the objective to prevent unsafe products to reach the Union market, in particular through online sales.
In this context, 88 associations representing different industries, retail, environmental NGOs and consumer organisations signed a joint statement on accountability gap in e-commerce.
The upcoming European Product Act must close the accountability gap in e-commerce
The joint statement has one key message: policy makers need to address the accountability gap in e-commence. Every year, an extensive number of unsafe low-value products enter the EU every year through online sales. Often, such products do not have an economic operators based in the EU who can be held responsible, despite this being a requirements under, for instance, the Market Surveillance Regulation and the General Product Safety Regulation. Specifically, the 88 organisations are calling policy makers to ensure that:
- Every product has a defined economic operator on the Union market.
- Online platforms need to verify that products have an economic operator on the Union market before listing their products.
- Online platforms become the economic operator on the Union market when no other actor can be identified or traced.
Compliance and safety of products sold online
Non-compliant products that reach the Union market are reported on the Safety Gate Rapid Alert System. This platform collects alerts and allows national authorities to exchange information on measures taken against non-food dangerous products. The EU General Product Safety Regulation, applicable since 13 December 2024, has strengthen roles and responsibilities of all businesses in the supply chain of products on the EU market.
Did you know?
Your European authorised representative can act as responsible person and verify compliance of your products, from safety requirements to e-commerce provisions. Under the EU GPSR, all manufacturers must have a Responsible Person on the Union market. Whether through traditional sales channels or e-commerce, products cannot be shipped in the EU without a Responsible Person.
Contact us here for any questions on product compliance.
References:
TIE (2026). TIE Co-signs Joint Letter on the European Product Act Alongside 88 Industry and Civil Society Organisations. Retrieved on 08/07/2026.
EUR-Lex (2026). Safety Gate 2025 Report. Retrieved on 08/07/2026.
EUR.Lex (2023). Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on general product safety, amending Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and the Council, and repealing Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 87/357/EEC. Retrieved on 08/07/2026.
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