PASS Coalition Hails House Passage of INFORM Act – Legislation that Protects Consumers and Small Sellers in the Online Marketplace Ecosystem

​Washington, DC – Today, the Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers is thrilled to announce that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for (INFORM) Consumers Act (H.R. 5502). The bill passed under suspension of the rules, indicating strong bipartisan support for the legislation. We would like to thank Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) for spearheading the INFORM Consumers Act in the House and for their tireless advocacy on behalf of consumers and small businesses.

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This critical piece of legislation will bolster the ever-growing relationship between marketplaces, retailers, and law enforcement to ensure that criminals and illegitimate online businesses cannot hide online. Under this bill, PASS Coalition members will continue to work with law enforcement authorities and our retail partners to shield customers from knockoff, stolen, and harmful goods. PASS is pleased that this legislation also includes crucial protections for the small sellers who use our platforms to sell their unique and creative products.
 
While House passage of this bill marks an important landmark and continues to reflect the broad bipartisan support for the legislation, we hope the Senate can now move to swiftly pass the INFORM Consumers Act. We thank Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) for their perseverance to include the bill in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and for their unwavering support for consumers and small businesses.
 
Online marketplaces are the epicenter of American commerce and consumerism, this targeted regulatory effort will greatly improve conditions for American families. “The INFORM Consumers Act exemplifies our esteem and desire for consumer safety and power, as well as our goal to cultivate and encourage small sellers” said Chris Lamond, Executive Director at the Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers. “We are pleased that this pragmatic and bipartisan legislation has once again passed the House and hope that it can go to the President’s desk soon,” added Lamond.