UNCTAD Urges Civil Society to Ensure Safety of Consumer Goods and EFSA’s Support for GS1

Consumers have the right to safe products but this right is constantly under threat. In the EU alone, unsafe products cause accidents and losses estimated at $34.4bn per year, according to the European Commission. This trend, though less reported, is replicated in the developing world. Both the EFSA and the EFA agree. EFSA attended the SA Board of the GS1 on 16 November and undertook to promote the adoption of the GS1 principles for ecommerce. Takealot, Amazon and Massmart have signed up to apply the GS1 barcode/QR code system which helps merchant track goods and significantly reduces the sale of counterfeit goods online.