09 Sep E-commerce action plan – Unfair competition with retailers from the Far East: solutions within sight
The German Retail Association (HDE) rates the Federal Ministry of Economics’ action plan for e-commerce positively.
The association believes that its repeated criticism of the current unfair competition with regard to online platforms such as Temu has been taken seriously and addressed.
“The Federal Ministry of Economics has correctly recognized the problems. This is no small matter; fair competition in the retail sector must be restored. Otherwise there is a risk of major economic consequences for the domestic retail sector. It is not economically viable in the long term for domestic retailers to have to adhere to the strict requirements of the EU and the federal level in areas such as consumer, environmental and data protection, while competitors from the Far East in particular flood the market with cheap goods that in many cases do not comply with regulations,” said HDE President Alexander von Preen.
With the action plan presented, the discussion about the appropriate measures is now beginning.
“The Federal Ministry of Economics is providing good and promising approaches, many of which the HDE had already formulated as demands,” continued von Preen.
For example, the announcement to abolish the duty-free limit of 150 euros as quickly as possible directly addresses an HDE demand.
The HDE is also positive about the announcement to consistently monitor that trading companies from third countries appoint a responsible economic operator based in the EU.
Von Preen: “The concerted control actions mentioned in the paper are crucial. Because in many areas, we primarily have an enforcement problem. The state must show its presence and ensure compliance with the law.”
In the long term, the monitoring of global e-commerce must be transferred from the German fragmentation of responsibilities to centralized structures in order to increase efficiency.
“Concrete measures are now needed, and the action plan is a good starting point for rapid implementation. What is needed is rapid concretization. The action plan sends a good signal that the Federal Ministry of Economics is taking up the challenge,” said the HDE President.
It is important to proceed in a targeted manner during implementation and to avoid creating unnecessary bureaucracy. -> Further information at einzelhandel.de <-