Observed Signal · May 4, 2026 · Investigation · Source: t3n · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Unsafe Products Persist on Marketplaces Despite EU Ban
A consumer-protection analysis by the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) finds that dangerous and legally banned products continue to be offered on major online marketplaces despite EU prohibitions. Using the DSA transparency database, the vzbv reports that in November 2025 the five most-visited marketplaces in Germany removed nearly 70 million listings EU-wide, including about 30 million items classified as unsafe or prohibited. Platforms referenced the EU Safety Gate warning system in only 759 cases. The study found average delays of 338 days between an official warning and continued online availability; examples include a lead-contaminated stuffed toy offered despite a nearly three-year-old warning and a razor sold for over four years after a Safety Gate alert. vzbv board member Ramona Pop urged the European Commission to tighten legal requirements and require pre-publication checks against official warnings.
Reveals widespread non-compliance with EU safety rules and the DSA on major e-commerce marketplaces, highlighting enforcement gaps that could prompt regulatory tightening and affect marketplace operations and liability.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- vzbv analysis used the DSA transparency database and Safety Gate warnings.
- In November 2025, the five most-visited marketplaces removed almost 70 million listings EU-wide, including ~30 million unsafe or banned products.
- Platforms explicitly referenced Safety Gate warnings in only 759 of the ~30 million unsafe/prohibited product cases.
- Average time between an official Safety Gate warning and continued online availability was 338 days; a razor was sold for over four years despite a Safety Gate warning.
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Why Banned Products Still Sell on Marketplaces
A vzbv (German consumer association) analysis finds that dangerous or legally prohibited products continue to be sold on major online marketplaces despite EU warnings. Using the DSA transparency database, vzbv reports that in November 2025 the five most-visited marketplaces in Germany removed nearly 70 million listings EU‑wide, including about 30 million items classified as unsafe or banned. The study found only 759 listings explicitly referenced Safety Gate warnings; on average warnings predated listings by 338 days. Examples include a lead-contaminated stuffed toy and a razor offered for over four years despite a Safety Gate alert for electric shock risk. vzbv’s Ramona Pop urged stronger pre-publication checks and more frequent reviews; Amazon responded that it complies with the DSA.
German Retail and Consumer Groups Push for Stricter Import Rules
The German Retail Federation (HDE), the Markenverband, and the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv) have jointly called for stricter EU regulations on goods imported from non-EU countries. Citing 5.9 billion low-value e-commerce shipments reaching the EU in 2025, they argue that current controls are insufficient. The organizations propose mandatory registration of EU representatives for non-EU manufacturers and sellers, and require online platforms to verify such registration before listing products. They also demand that platforms be held liable if they fail to ensure compliance. The initiative aims to influence the German government's position on the upcoming European Product Act, seeking to level the playing field for EU companies and enhance consumer protection.
Consumer Advocates Oppose Blanket Social-Media Ban for Children
Germany’s umbrella consumer protection organisation has rejected a blanket social-media ban for minors and called instead for strict regulation of platform features that drive addiction and manipulation. Ramona Pop, an executive board member of the Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband, told the Funke Mediengruppe that measures such as autoplay, endless scrolling, automatic location sharing, and persistent contact requests should be prohibited or tightly controlled. She cited a not-yet-published consumer report from the federal consumer organisation showing 81% of 14- to 29-year-olds prefer stronger platform responsibility over excluding young people. The article also notes that EU-commissioned experts recommend restricting access for children under 13 without imposing an absolute ban, and that Germany’s Federal Family Minister Karin Prien supports a differentiated, EU-wide approach.
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