The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD), a coalition of leading consumer organizations from the EU, US , and UK released a landmark report exposing alarming gaps in product safety enforcement across major online marketplaces.

The key findings from the report highlight investigations across the EU, UK, and US that have uncovered widespread availability of unsafe consumer goods, including electronics, children’s toys, and infant products, being sold on major online platforms. Despite repeated warnings and some enforcement actions, many non-compliant products remain accessible to consumers.

The proliferation of counterfeit goods further exacerbates the issue, posing serious health and safety risks while undermining consumer trust. While existing regulatory frameworks are important steps forward, they remain insufficient without stronger, more coordinated enforcement efforts to effectively tackle these challenges.

The report outlines a comprehensive set of recommendations, including enhanced cross-border cooperation among regulators, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and clear accountability for online platforms. It calls for formal data sharing, joint investigations, and synchronized product recalls to better protect consumers across jurisdictions. In addition, it highlights the urgent need to empower regulatory agencies with increased resources and mandates, ensure compliance with existing safety laws, and implement robust third-party seller verification systems.

READ THE FULL REPORT

Crucially, the report emphasizes the importance of involving consumer organizations in shaping safety policies that reflect the real-world risks faced by shoppers on online marketplaces. As e-commerce continues to expand globally, the report provides a roadmap for coordinated and effective consumer protection in an increasingly borderless retail environment.

“This report sends a clear message: unsafe products are slipping through the cracks of our digital marketplaces,” said Léa Auffret, Director of the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue.  “Consumers in the EU, UK, and US deserve stronger protections no matter where or how they shop.”

“This is a transatlantic problem that demands a transatlantic solution,” said Courtney Griffin, Director of Consumer Product Safety for the Consumer Federation of America. “Governments must act now to protect consumers from unsafe and counterfeit products online.”