Washington, DC (September 1, 2020) … Today the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) announces its support of the INFORM Consumers Act, legislation introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) which will require common-sense disclosures from third-party marketplace sellers who use online platforms like Amazon to sell products to American consumers. A companion bill has also been introduced in the House by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

“NAW is pleased to see Congress working towards keeping online marketplaces accountable for the products sold on their platforms. There is broadening concern to protect both consumers and federal, state and local governments from counterfeit goods, vendors leveraging stolen intellectual property, and foreign manufactured equipment deemed a threat to national security. Online marketplaces, like Amazon, should be accountable for the activity on their platforms and ensure only legitimate goods are sold by verified sellers,” said Blake Adami, NAW Vice President of Government Relations.

The INFORM Consumers Act will verify high-volume third-party sellers’ government ID, tax ID, bank account and contact information. The legislation instructs online marketplaces to require their high-volume third-party sellers to disclose to consumers the seller’s name, business address, email address, phone number and whether the seller is a manufacturer, importer, retailer or a reseller of consumer products. In addition to providing consumers with greater transparency, the legislation will allow law enforcement to better identify high-frequency sellers suspected of trafficking stolen and counterfeit goods.

Click here to read the text of the bill.