Retailers Welcome Legislation to Protect US Consumers Online
- By [ Michael Hanson ]
- Washington, DC
- 01/25/2022
“Bad actors in China have been taking advantage of the anonymity afforded to them by e-commerce platforms to peddle counterfeit products, duping consumers and putting them at risk with unsafe, defective, poisonous knockoff goods. That same lack of transparency has created a business opportunity for criminal networks in this country, who are using the anonymity of marketplace platforms to peddle billions in stolen product. The result has been a surge in organized retail crime, whereby criminals rely on third-party marketplaces to quickly fence products brazenly stolen from stores.
“The INFORM Consumers Act would establish transparency and accountability on online third-party marketplaces, making it more difficult for domestic criminals or foreign con artists to hide behind fake screennames to mislead consumers with fake or stolen products. Our goal is to protect U.S. shoppers while ensuring global competitiveness and INFORM does both. We commend House leadership for including INFORM within America COMPETES as an important component of protecting domestic retailers, brands, manufacturers and consumers.”
A recent study by the Buy Safe America Coalition reveals just how harmful counterfeit goods from China are to the U.S. economy. In addition to costing domestic retailers nearly $54.1 billion in sales, it also accounts for $1.12 billion in intellectual property rights violations from sellers in China alone.
###
RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.
RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
Tags
-
Public Policy
-
Asset Protection
-
Organized Retail Crime
-
Keeping Communities Safe
