Press Release

November 17, 2021
 
Media Contact: media@buysafeamerica.org ; clamond@thornrun.com (PASS Coalition)
 

Buy Safe America and the PASS Coalition Applaud Markup of INFORM Consumers Act
 
H.R. 5502 Protects Americans from Criminals Who Sell Dangerous Counterfeit and Stolen Goods on Online Marketplaces

 
Washington, DC – Today, the Buy Safe America Coalition and the Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers, a diverse group of retailers, consumer groups, manufacturers, law enforcement, third-party marketplaces and eCommerce platforms collectively supporting efforts to combat organized retail crime and protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods, issued the below statement on the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee markup of H.R. 5502.
 
“H.R. 5502 ensures that our nation’s consumer protection laws are best equipped to meet the needs of today’s online shoppers while also protecting American businesses and their hard-working employees from a growing economic threat,” said Michael Hanson, Buy Safe America Coalition spokesperson. “We applaud and support the Committee’s efforts to advance this common-sense, bipartisan measure, and the Buy Safe America Coalition is grateful for the continued leadership of Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Gus Bilirakis.” 
 
“The INFORM Consumers Act is a prime example of hard work and collaboration resulting in a thoughtful and balanced policy. We look forward to working with Congress, the administration, and other stakeholders on this important legislation that will allow online marketplaces to flourish in a responsible and safe manner,” added Chris Lamond, Executive Director PASS Coalition.
 
H.R. 5502 would require e-commerce platforms to verify their third-party sellers and disclose basic information to shoppers. In addition to leading sponsors Schakowsky (D-IL) and Bilirakis (R-FL), the bill has been co-sponsored by Reps. Castor (D-FL); Cárdenas (D-CA); Rice (D-NY); Hudson (R-NC); Banks (R-IN); Fitzpatrick (R-PA); Philips (D-MN); Doggett (D-TX); Eshoo (D-CA); Burgess (R-TX); Pence (R-IN); and Ferguson (R-GA).
 
“We urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to join with the bill’s supporters to pass this legislation. The INFORM Consumers Act strikes the right balance of enhancing consumer protections while protecting honest individual and small sellers’ privacy and security. As we have seen in recent years, organized retail crime and counterfeiting are serious issues and deserve a serious legislative solution. The INFORM Consumers Act is that solution,” added Hanson and Lamond. 
 
Visit BuySafeAmerica.org and protectsmallsellers.org for more information about the growing problem of stolen and counterfeit goods and solutions to better protect consumers and businesses.  
 

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The Buy Safe America Coalition represents a diverse group of responsible retailers, consumer groups, manufacturers, intellectual property advocates and law enforcement officials who support efforts at all levels of government to protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods.
 
The Protect America’s Small Sellers Coalition is a policy-oriented coalition of third-party marketplaces and eCommerce platforms that have joined forces to educate policymakers on the benefits of our eCommerce business models while also working collaboratively with policymakers to find thoughtful solutions to consumer protection, competition and economic development issues impacting eCommerce. Current Coalition members include eBay, Etsy, Mercari, OfferUp and Poshmark.