International Product Safety Week: Hungarian ministry takes forward-looking approach to ongoing initiatives

A representative of the National Economy Ministry participated in International Product Safety Week in Brussels, a three-day conference of decision-makers, national authorities, consumer organisations, and industry leaders in mid-October.

The ministry said product safety is “among the most important priorities” of Hungarian and European Union consumer policy while acknowledging the “serious challenge” posed to oversight authorities by expanding online marketplaces. It noted that over three-fourths of dangerous products originate outside of the EU.

The ministry said that the EU’s new General Product Safety Regulations, which will be in force from December, aim to offer a high degree of protection online and in conventional marketplaces. It added that the appropriate application of the EU’s legal framework, coordinated efforts by national oversight authorities, and cooperation between tax authorities are “indispensable” for resolute measures against Asian online marketplaces in the broad European interest.