Joint Paper: Green Deal ambition for sustainable products threatened by gaping online sales loophole

United NGOs and European industry warn that millions of products sold online including toys, electronics, furniture, and cosmetics will be able to escape the EU framework on product sustainability currently being negotiated. Some online sellers will undermine the Green Deal by dodging current and future EU legislation without having to face any consequences.

The online sale of goods to consumers in cases where traders are located outside of the EU and do not have an EU-based economic operator that can be held liable for the traders’ products and activities presents a serious loophole for Green Deal policies attempting to improve product sustainability – threatening the competitiveness of European businesses and Europe’s environmental objectives, as well as misleading consumers.

Read our main concerns and key recommendations for the ESPR here