The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD), a coalition of leading consumer organizations from the EU, US, and UK released a landmark report, “Unsafe and Online: A Framework for Strengthening Product Safety in the Online Marketplace,” exposing alarming gaps in product safety enforcement across major online marketplaces.

The growth of e-commerce has improved product accessibility but also opened doors for unsafe products to slip through national regulatory systems. Unlike physical stores, there is ambiguous liability for online platforms that enable noncompliant goods to reach consumers, heightening the risk of unsafe purchases, especially from international sellers with varying safety standards. This joint report highlights critical safety concerns regarding the sale of unsafe consumer products through online marketplaces. Investigations across those regions reveal widespread risks in categories such as electronics, infant and children’s products, toys, and more, with alarming findings that underscore the urgent need for stronger enforcement of safety regulations, increased accountability from online platforms, and effective regulatory frameworks that can keep pace with the rapid digitalization and globalization of trade.