European Union: Commission and national consumer authorities published findings following investigation into second-hand online traders' compliance with consumer protection regulations

On 7 March 2025, the European Commission, alongside national consumer protection authorities from 25 EU Member States, Iceland, and Norway, announced the results of a coordinated investigation into online traders dealing in second-hand goods. The investigation assessed 356 online traders to check compliance with EU consumer law. Among the findings, 185 traders (52%) were potentially in breach. The breaches reported included 40% not clearly informing consumers of their right to withdraw from purchases, 45% failing to correctly outline return rights for faulty or misrepresented goods, and 57% not offering the minimum one-year legal guarantee for second-hand items. Additionally, some traders made unjustifiable environmental claims, with 28% identified as false or misleading. The investigation aims to ensure adherence to consumer rights regulations and directives such as the Consumer Rights Directive and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. Following these findings, authorities plan further investigations into non-compliant traders to ensure consumer rights are upheld across the Single Market.