Bipartisan House SHOP SAFE Introduction to Stem Proliferation of Counterfeits on Platforms

The American Apparel & Footwear Association commends the leadership of House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Chair Darrell Issa (R-CA-48) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12) of the Committee for introducing the SHOP SAFE Act in the U.S. House on Tuesday. This important legislation addresses the proliferation of dangerous counterfeits promoted and sold online, presenting a range of threats including consumer safety concerns and compromising brand integrity. 

"It is far too easy to buy counterfeits across platforms. The SHOP SAFE Act helps ensure platforms consistently partner with brands to help keep counterfeits from being posted online for a consumer to purchase,” said AAFA president and CEO Steve Lamar. "Of course, authentic brands will continue to play a key role in supporting the efforts of platforms – just as they do now – but we need the commitment and collaboration of platforms to counter the growth of counterfeits that put Americans at risk. One counterfeit is one too many." 
 
“Consumer safety is a bipartisan issue. Every Member of Congress represents constituents who have unknowingly purchased and/or been harmed by counterfeits," said Jennifer Hanks, AAFA senior director of brand protection. “It is time to get the SHOP SAFE Act over the finish line."
 
AAFA led this letter of support today to Representatives Darrell Issa and Jerry Nadler. 
 
The SHOP SAFE Act will require online platforms to engage in best practices for screening and vetting third-party sellers and goods, stop repeat counterfeiter sellers, and ensure that consumers have relevant information available to them with accountability for counterfeit goods. 
 
This is companion legislation to S.2934, introduced in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). This and other policies, including the INFORM Consumers Act, which was approved last year, will help stem the influx of illicit products promoted and sold on platforms and safeguard consumers from the alarming dangers of counterfeits across industries.
 
Access more information on the Digital Devalue Chain of Counterfeits, the role of 'Dupe Influencers,' and AAFA's annual comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for its Notorious Markets reports (2023 comments).