Representatives from the Federal Office for Consumer Health (BAVG) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) are taking part in the EU CASP Customs project, which focuses on strengthening cooperation between market surveillance authorities and customs authorities in the field of cross-border online trade. As part of the project, representatives from the Member States took part in a study visit to Liège (Belgium), where they visited Liège Airport, one of Europe’s most important e-commerce hubs. 

The study visit was accompanied by a high-level delegation including the EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, thereby highlighting the importance of effective market surveillance in online trade at European level.

The project involves an intensive professional exchange with market surveillance and customs authorities from other Member States, as well as the joint carrying out of checks on e-commerce consignments. This has revealed that a significant proportion of the goods inspected do not comply with applicable EU requirements and therefore cannot be placed on the internal market. In addition to this professional exchange, the focus is particularly on the common challenges associated with the growing importance of online trade. The project underscores the need for a coordinated European approach to ensure a high level of consumer protection in the long term.

For the BAVG, the technical exchange at EU level and the enhanced operational cooperation with the Austrian customs authority represent significant added value. The sharing of information, the coordination of control approaches and the further development of joint risk assessments are seen as key starting points for more efficient market surveillance. The BAVG would like to express its gratitude for the valuable exchange and the opportunity to deepen cooperation at EU level.