EU Commission Announces Toolbox for Safe & Sustainable E-Commerce

On Wednesday 5 February 2025, the European Commission announced "A Comprehensive EU Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-Commerce".

Last year, around 4.6 billion low-value consignments entered the EU market - equalling twelve million parcels per day. The Commission noted that many of these goods were found to be non-compliant with EU legislation, raising numerous concerns.

As such, the European Commission is taking action to address the risks arising from these imports. These actions are part of the Communication on E-Commerce (A Comprehensive EU Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-Commerce).

In this Communication, the Commission presents all the tools the EU already has at its disposal and highlights the initiatives currently being discussed by the co-legislators. In addition, it proposes new joint actions to address concerns about the rise of unsafe, counterfeit and otherwise non-compliant or illicit products entering the market:

- Customs reform, including calling on the co-legislators to swiftly adopt the proposed Customs Union Reform Package, allowing the rapid implementation of new rules to level the playing field in e-commerce;

- Targeted measures for imported goods, including the launch of coordinated controls between customs and market surveillance authorities, as well as coordinated actions on product safety;

- Protecting consumers on online marketplaces, highlighting e-commerce practices as a clear priority for the enforcement of the Digital Services Act;

- Using digital tools, which can help facilitate e-commerce monitoring through the Digital Product Passport and new AI tools for the detection of potentially non-compliant products;

- Environmental protection, including adopting the first action plan on the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, and calling for the swift adoption of the targeted amendment for the Waste Framework Directive;

- Empowering consumers and traders through awareness-raising campaigns on consumer rights, risks and redress mechanisms;

- International cooperation and trade, including organising training activities on EU product safety rules and assessing any evidence that may emerge relating to dumping and subsidisation.

The Representation of the European Commission in Luxembourg added in a statement that free and local support for European consumers is also a priority. This is why the European Commission co-funds the European Consumer Centre Luxembourg, part of a network of 29 centres across the EU (as well as in Iceland and Norway) to provide free information, advice and support to consumers who have a dispute with a professional established in another Member State. The centre assists consumers in many areas, including e-commerce.

Regarding the next steps, the Commission has called on EU Member States, the co-legislators and all stakeholders to cooperate in implementing the measures outlined in the Communication.

Within a year, the Commission will assess the impact of the announced actions and publish a report on the findings of the enhanced controls.