“The Communication on e-commerce rightfully addresses the issue of unfair competition and unsafe products entering the Single Market. However, it fails to provide answers to the challenges SMEs meet when using e-commerce platforms to reach out to their customers”, indicates SMEunited President Salminen in a first reaction to the communication.
The control of products purchased through online marketplaces and shipped directly to consumers is a long-standing demand of SMEs. SMEunited fully supports the Commission’s call for coordinated enforcement actions against the surge of dangerous, counterfeit or otherwise non-compliant products sold online and imported in the Union.
“E-commerce has become a double-edged sword for SMEs in Europe. While it offers businesses new market opportunities, it has also exposes them to unfair competition and significant risks. Products imported from third-countries via online platforms and marketplaces often fail to meet European health and safety standards. Moreover, potential subsidies impede even more the level playing field”, highlights Mr Salminen.
SMEunited welcomes the commitment of the Commission to strengthen the enforcement of existing rules under the DSA and DMA. However, we deplore that the communication fails to tackle issues between users and marketplaces.
SMEs have been facing increasingly unfair practices by online platforms, including unjustified account suspensions and unbalanced terms and conditions. Although the Communication touches on the importance of ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, it does not fully address the specific issues SMEs face regarding platform practices, leaving room for further legislative action from the Commission, as was also already pointed out in the P2B implementation report 2023.
SMEunited acknowledges the Commission’s will to close critical loopholes, such as the treatment of low-value imports, which evade customs checks and undermine EU regulations. For SMEs to thrive in the e-commerce environment, stronger enforcement of existing laws will be a priority. Moreover, SMEs call on the Commission to take actions to further strengthen the Platform to Business Regulation and its enforcement.
