New EU regulations: E-commerce platforms responsible for unsafe products

The European Union plans to introduce new regulations that will hold e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and Amazon accountable for selling unsafe or illegal products online. Why are these changes so important? How will they impact businesses in the digital world, and what do they mean for consumers? Find the answers below.

New obligations for e-commerce platforms

Currently, buyers are often treated as importers of goods purchased online from outside the European Union. Planned customs reforms aim to transfer this responsibility to online marketplaces. The new regulations require them to:

• Providing data on products before they are placed on the EU market.
• Collection and payment of customs duties and VAT.
• Ensuring compliance of the goods offered with EU safety standards.
• Supply chain monitoring – the obligation to verify suppliers and their compliance with EU regulations.

Additionally, plans are underway to establish a central EU customs authority (EUCA) that will gather data from the 27 member states, enabling more effective identification of potential threats before goods enter the market. This solution will allow for better coordination between countries and a faster response to violations.

The impact of regulation on the digital world and the benefits for consumers

The introduction of these regulations could significantly impact the operation of e-commerce platforms. On the one hand, it will increase companies' liability for the products they offer, which could increase operating costs . On the other hand, consumers will gain greater confidence in the safety and quality of the goods they purchase.

For companies operating in the digital world, this means adapting to new requirements, but also providing an opportunity to build trust with customers by ensuring high security standards. The new regulations can also promote fair competition by eliminating sellers offering low-quality or substandard products. Companies that choose to quickly adapt to the new regulations can gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to consumer safety.

Practical tips for businesses in the digital world

• Conduct an audit of the products offered – make sure that all goods meet EU safety standards and have the appropriate certificates.
• Implement supplier monitoring systems – regularly check the quality and origin of products from your suppliers to minimize the risk of introducing unsafe products to the market.
• Staff training – Ensure employees are aware of new regulations and procedures related to product safety. Regular training increases awareness of risks and improves service quality.
• Cooperate with customs authorities – maintain ongoing contact with EUCA to quickly respond to any product safety issues.
• Optimize logistics processes – adapt your supply chain to new legal and regulatory requirements. Invest in technologies that enable product tracking at every stage of delivery.
• Create internal compliance procedures – develop and implement policies that help monitor product compliance with applicable regulations.
• Communicate with customers – transparency regarding product origin and safety increases consumer trust and builds a positive brand image.

What challenges do e-commerce platforms face in the face of new regulations?

The new regulations may pose challenges for e-commerce platforms, especially those operating at scale. Monitoring a vast number of products and ensuring their compliance with EU standards may require significant investments in infrastructure and human resources.

However, companies that successfully adapt to these changes can gain a competitive advantage by building a reputation as trusted suppliers of safe products. As a result, they can also increase customer loyalty, as customers increasingly care about the safety and provenance of the goods they purchase.

The introduction of new regulations also means adapting to a dynamically changing legal environment. Companies must be prepared to continuously update their procedures and adapt to new guidelines. Investing in technologies that support the automation of compliance processes and the development of competencies of employees responsible for regulatory compliance will be crucial.