U.S. Senate Reintroduces SHOP SAFE Act, Priority Legislation for The Toy Association™
October 5, 2023 | U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) reintroduced the SHOP SAFE Act on September 28 to protect consumers from harmful counterfeit products that are sold online. The Toy Association™ is a strong supporter of the legislation, which was most recently included in the 2022 America COMPETES Act but was removed before the final text was signed into law.
The SHOP SAFE Act emphasizes the need for online platforms to meet the same requirements and liabilities for harmful counterfeit goods as traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.
“We commend U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Thom Tillis for their leadership in addressing the pressing need to safeguard consumers, particularly children, from illicit products that are infiltrating online platforms,” stated Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association. “This critical legislation holds online marketplaces accountable for the products they offer for sale and will help prevent bad actors from selling products that do not comply with the rigorous safety standards upheld by the toy industry. Creating a safer, more trustworthy online shopping environment ultimately protects children and families from potentially dangerous counterfeits sold online.”
The SHOP SAFE Act incentivizes online platforms to engage in best practices for vetting sellers and goods, addressing repeat counterfeiter sellers, and ensuring consumers have access to relevant information at the time of purchase. The bill was heard in the Senate Intellectual Property Subcommittee on October 3, where Chair Coons and Ranking Member Tillis expressed their strong desire to see the legislation move forward.
The bill text is available here.
For more information on The Toy Association’s advocacy work on counterfeits and IP protection, visit thetoyassociation.org/advocacy. Members may contact Jennifer Gibbons, vice president of government affairs at The Toy Association, with any questions.