The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has announced that major e-commerce platforms such as Ajio, JioMart, Netmeds, BigBasket, Tata Cliq, Tata 1mg, Zomato, and Ola will adopt a Safety Pledge on National Consumer Day, December 24, 2024.
The Safety Pledge is a voluntary commitment by these platforms to enhance consumer safety by detecting and preventing the sale of unsafe, counterfeit, or non-compliant products. It also involves cooperation with statutory authorities on product safety, educating sellers about safety standards, and empowering consumers with information about product safety.
This initiative follows consultations held by the Department of Consumer Affairs in November 2023, leading to the formation of a committee chaired by consumer activist Pushpa Girimaji. The committee included e-commerce entities, industry representatives, and law experts who collaborated to draft the pledge. The final draft was developed after an extensive review process.
Globally, e-commerce platforms have been encouraged to voluntarily commit to product safety, particularly regarding liability when sellers are untraceable or unwilling to take responsibility. Given the unique nature of e-commerce, where consumers cannot physically examine products before purchase, ensuring adherence to safety standards is critical for protecting consumers.
The sale of unsafe products online presents a serious risk to consumer safety. This issue is especially important for products that must comply with Quality Control Orders (QCOs). With India rapidly growing as the world’s second-largest internet market, ensuring the safety of online products is increasingly vital. By 2030, India is expected to have one of the largest online shopper bases globally.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, highlights the importance of consumer safety, stating that consumers have the right to be protected from hazardous products and to be informed about the quality, quantity, and safety standards of goods and services. It also defines the sale of non-compliant goods as an “unfair trade practice” and mandates that e-commerce platforms ensure compliance with product safety standards under the law.
