Washington, D.C. / Brussels / London – 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.
Titled “Unsafe and Online: A Framework for Strengthening Product Safety in the Online Marketplace,” the joint report highlights how the explosive growth of e-commerce has increased product accessibility while also exposing consumers to dangerous household goods. Unlike traditional retail, online platforms often escape clear liability, allowing dangerous and illegal products, particularly from international sellers, to reach consumers with minimal oversight.
“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.”
“Consumers expect the items we buy online are safe, but this report reveals a digital wasteland, where dangerous and even illegal products are just a click away,” said Courtney Griffin, Director of Consumer Product Safety for the Consumer Federation of America. “It is time for governments to step up, close the gaps, and hold online marketplaces accountable for protecting consumers.”
The key findings from the report highlight investigations across the EU, UK, and US that have uncovered widespread availability of unsafe consumer goods on major online marketplaces. These include electronics such as electric blankets, heaters, and phone chargers with serious shock and fire hazards; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that fail to activate; and children’s products containing dangerously high levels of lead and phthalates. Despite warnings and limited enforcement, unsafe and counterfeit products remain widely available, posing serious risks and eroding consumer trust. Existing regulations are a start, but stronger, coordinated enforcement is essential.
The report presents key recommendations for stronger consumer protection, including cross-border regulatory cooperation, clearer accountability for online platforms, and robust enforcement tools. It urges formal data sharing, joint investigations, and coordinated recalls, along with greater resources and authority for regulators. It also calls for third-party seller verification and active involvement of consumer organizations in shaping safety policies. As e-commerce grows globally, the report offers a roadmap for effective, coordinated action in a borderless marketplace.
The full report is available here.
About TACD:
The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) is a coalition of leading EU and US consumer organizations that jointly advocate for strong consumer protection policies on both sides of the Atlantic. Established in 1998, TACD brings together 76 member organizations to influence transatlantic policy discussions through unified recommendations on critical issues such as product safety, digital rights, food standards, and financial services.