A new petition from the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) highlights concerns over illegal and unsafe products on online marketplaces similar to issues found by a recent ETIRA survey.
A new petition from the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) has reignited concerns over the sale of illegal and unsafe products on online marketplaces. The petition, supported by Toy Industries of Europe (TIE), calls for stricter EU regulation to hold online platforms accountable for the safety of products sold by third-party vendors. While this initiative is focused on the toy industry, it raises familiar issues for the imaging consumables sector, which continues to battle against non-compliant printer cartridges flooding the market.
The problem: Unfair competition and lax oversight
According to AEFJ and TIE, a study conducted in 2024 found that 80% of toys purchased from online marketplaces failed to meet EU safety standards. This alarming statistic highlights a major regulatory loophole: online platforms currently bear no legal responsibility for the products they facilitate, while traditional retailers and distributors must adhere to strict safety and compliance rules.
The imaging consumables industry faces similar challenges. Non-compliant printer cartridges, including falsely labelled remanufactured products, those lacking CE and WEEE compliance, and even hazardous materials such as decaBDE-contaminated toners, continue to flood the market through online sales channels. This creates an uneven playing field, where legitimate remanufacturers and compliant aftermarket suppliers must compete with low-cost, non-compliant alternatives.
A call for stronger market surveillance
AEFJ’s petition argues that there must always be a legally accountable entity responsible for product safety within the EU. This is a principle that could significantly benefit the imaging industry, which has long struggled with online sellers evading environmental and product safety regulations.
ETIRA and other industry bodies have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement to ensure that all products sold in the EU comply with regulations. The Spanish government has already taken steps to tighten oversight of non-compliant cartridge imports, following pressure from ETIRA and local remanufacturers. However, gaps remain, particularly in the regulation of cross-border e-commerce sales.
ETIRA has recently announced plans to intensify its focus on compliance, doubling down on efforts to combat the influx of non-compliant cartridges into the EU market. This includes advocating for stronger enforcement measures at the EU level and working with national authorities to hold online marketplaces accountable. Their renewed efforts align closely with the objectives of the AEFJ petition and could serve as a model for wider industry action against non-compliant products in online sales channels (source).
Should the imaging industry join the fight?
If the toy industry’s petition gains traction in Brussels, it could set a precedent for holding online platforms accountable in other sectors. This presents a key opportunity for the imaging industry to align with similar efforts, pushing for increased oversight and liability for online marketplaces that facilitate the sale of non-compliant consumables.
As AEFJ’s campaign gathers momentum ahead of the February 28 deadline for signatures, could this be the moment for ETIRA and other imaging sector stakeholders to push for parallel regulatory action? After all, unfair competition from non-compliant sellers does not just undermine EU businesses—it also threatens sustainability efforts and consumer safety.
For those interested in supporting the AEFJ petition, more information can be found at stopillegaltoys.eu/petition. Could a similar initiative be on the horizon for the imaging industry?
