Consumers in the EU will be better protected from dangerous products in the future. The European Parliament confirmed stricter rules for online purchases on Thursday. Dangerous products are to be withdrawn from the market more quickly and recalls are to be made more effective, as Parliament announced.
It is also planned that online marketplaces such as Ebay or Amazonenger will have to work together with the supervisory authorities. The authorities, in turn, can order that dangerous products must be removed from the range within two working days. For example, companies that want to sell products in the EU must appoint an EU-based dealer who is responsible for their safety. Consumers and authorities always have a contact person if there are problems with product safety, said CDU MEP Marion Walsmann.
In addition, the new rules stipulate that information about the safety of the products must be given in clear and easily understandable language.
Last year, European countries triggered the rapid alert system for dangerous products 2,117 times. In almost every fourth case it was a question of toys. “Thanks to this law, we protect our most vulnerable consumers, especially children,” said Dita Charanzová, who negotiated the law for Parliament.
In recent years, more than 50 percent of the products classified as dangerous have always come from China. “With this law, we have taken a decisive step against those who sell unsafe products in Europe,” said Charanzová.
It is estimated that around a third of the products recalled in the EU are still used by consumers. For this reason, specific rules will apply to recalls in the future. Buyers should not only be informed about the recall by email, they should also be offered a repair, a replacement product or a refund.
Not only are the new regulations designed to help keep consumers safe, but they are also designed to save money. According to information from Parliament, around one billion euros will be saved in the EU in the first year and around 5.5 billion euros in the next ten years.
Once the EU states have given their approval, the law can be published in the EU Official Journal. The rules should apply around a year and a half later. (dpa)