Online marketplaces under fire for incomplete product details
In a recent review conducted by the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV) from March 20 to April 7, 2025, several major online marketplaces were found to have deficiencies in providing necessary and legally required product information. Among the marketplaces assessed were AliExpress and Amazon.
The review found that some online marketplaces were lacking essential product information, such as safety and warning notices, which are crucial for consumer protection. The key information is that AliExpress and Amazon were included in the examined group, and the analysis by VZBV revealed flaws in product information compliance on some of these platforms.
However, the specific marketplaces with the most significant issues were not explicitly named in the provided search data. The analysis highlighted the need for online marketplaces to ensure compliance with legal regulations and the provision of complete and accurate product information.
Otto, another online marketplace, emphasized that it complies with all legal information obligations. Violations on Otto's platform may result in sellers being blocked. Zalando, on the other hand, has announced it will review its processes in light of the study's results.
The VZBV President, Ramona Pop, stated that online marketplaces are booming but are also contributing to an increase in unsafe products. She stressed the importance of customers being able to contact the responsible parties for safe products in case of problems.
Media Markt, another online retailer, is continuously working on improvements for consumer protection. The company plans to check trader information more strictly in the future. Kaufland, another marketplace, has stated that traders on its platform are responsible for the presentation and legal compliance of their products.
The categories analysed were toys, electronics, and clothing. The shortcomings varied among the shopping portals, according to VZBV. Contact details of responsible traders or manufacturers were often missing from the product pages.
The Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires online platforms to comply with certain due diligence obligations starting from February 2024, is expected to address some of these issues. Traders and manufacturers must provide traceable and central information under the DSA.
Zalando welcomes efforts to increase transparency for consumers in the digital space. The company's commitment to transparency aligns with the DSA's objectives, which aim to create a safer and more accountable digital marketplace for consumers.
The review concluded that some online marketplaces, including AliExpress and Amazon, were found to have inadequacies in providing essential product information, such as safety and warning notices, which are vital for consumer protection. The Digital Services Act (DSA), beginning from February 2024, is anticipated to address these issues by requiring online platforms to comply with specific due diligence obligations and for traders and manufacturers to provide traceable and central information.
