The aim of the catalogue of measures is to enforce existing laws more consistently, thereby creating fairer competition conditions between European providers and companies from third countries. 'Achieving a level playing field in global online commerce requires ensuring that existing laws are not just in place but also enforced,' states the core message of the paper.

DIHK Division Manager Dirk Binding: 'We finally need equal rules for all in online commerce, not just on paper. European companies meet high standards for product safety, environmental, and consumer protection in production and trade while paying their taxes. Violations must be pursued swiftly and effectively sanctioned. European rules must apply to everyone, regardless of where a provider is headquartered. As long as existing laws are not enforced equally, there can be no fair competition.'

DIHK and HDE propose ten measures that can be implemented quickly to enforce existing laws more consistently without creating new bureaucratic obligations for businesses.

A central proposal of the programme is to further develop monitoring structures towards a risk-based and more coordinated market surveillance. For instance, federal states should create specialised task forces and reallocate responsibilities. Customs authorities should also be strengthened in terms of personnel and technology. Furthermore, a central, easily accessible digital reporting office should enable companies to report violations effortlessly and automatically forward them to the competent authorities.

DIHK and HDE also advocate for systematic controls in fulfilment centres and increased use of test purchases. Likewise, the European Safety Gate system should be improved, and the tools of the Digital Services Act should be applied more extensively.

Deputy Managing Director of HDE, Stephan Tromp: 'Companies in the European Single Market must comply with extensive requirements and are held accountable for violations. Providers from third countries, despite similar violations, are hardly reachable. This creates significant competitive distortions at the expense of retailers and manufacturers within the EU. Authorities must leverage the existing legal framework to its full extent using all available tools. The situation is serious.'

'The goal should be to noticeably strengthen enforcement within the existing legal framework in the short term without imposing additional bureaucratic obligations on businesses in the Single Market,' say the associations.

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The position paper detailing this is available here: