Consumers increasingly make ad hoc purchase decisions on e-commerce platforms, where the product page often serves as the primary source of information and is frequently processed at a superficial level. Large platforms connect millions of buyers with a vast and highly fragmented set of non-EU third-party sellers operating across international marketplaces. While some platforms attract enormous traffic and host thousands of merchants, others focus on national markets while still reaching millions of active customers. Together, they form a digital marketplace where trust relies heavily on information provided by third-party sellers.
Product pages typically follow standardized templates that present key details such as titles, technical specifications, origin claims, sustainability labels, and seller or brand identities. For consumers, this information substitutes for physical inspection; for merchants, it provides access to global demand. Reliable information fulfills two important functions: it helps consumers evaluate quality and risk, and it supports fair competition by signaling compliance and transparency.
At the same time, structural features of digital marketplaces may allow inaccurate or incomplete information to appear. Entry barriers are relatively low, enforcement processes can be time-consuming, and sellers may re-enter marketplaces under new identities. In fast-growing environments, where onboarding expands rapidly, monitoring mechanisms may face capacity constraints. Such conditions can affect not only individual transactions but also broader confidence in digital markets.
Despite increasing regulatory attention—including formal proceedings against major platforms—systematic evidence on the prevalence, nature, and severity of misleading or omitted product and seller information remains limited. This lack of baseline data is becoming increasingly relevant as European regulation has entered a compliance-focused phase that emphasizes trader traceability and transparency. Without credible measurement, regulators and platforms face difficulties in targeting oversight and assessing whether existing safeguards are adequate.
This project addresses that gap by providing systematic evidence on misleading information and omissions in product listings from non-EU third-party sellers on online marketplaces. Advisory support for the project will be provided by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Consumer Advice Centre of the German Bundesland Hessen.