With online sales now representing over 50% of consumer spending in France, the refurbished electronics market is booming. Millions of Apple iPhones, tablets and laptops are being given a second life. However, this momentum is threatened by widespread online fraud and unfair trading practices that put responsible European companies at risk and erode consumer trust. This according to an op-ed in the France site ‘le Nouvel Obs’ signed by a larger number of different stakeholders committed to developing high-quality refurbishment in France such as Boulanger, Electro Depot, Digitim, Recube, Pixmania, Seensys and Utopya.
Unfair prices hide systemic fraud
Beneath low online prices often lie illegal practices. Sellers, requently located outside the EU, bypass VAT, misuse margin schemes, or fail to pay eco-contributions and private copying levies. These practices create price gaps of up to € 200 between compliant and fraudulent products. For eco-contributions alone, the price difference can reach € 15 per device. This makes it nearly impossible for local, responsible businesses to remain competitive.
Technical and legal standards ignored
Some sellers offer products without required CE markings or USB-C ports—mandatory in the EU since December 2024. Many invoices are incomplete or missing, lacking legal information such as VAT numbers. Consumers purchasing from these sellers may face serious safety risks, including battery explosions and faulty accessories, with little to no recourse if issues arise.
Consequences for Europe’s circular economy
European refurbishers and seller of used devices, who follow environmental and fiscal rules, are being pushed out of the market. Consumer confidence in refurbished products, vital for digital sustainability, is declining. Meanwhile, sellers using EU mailbox entities avoid contact and accountability. In 2021 alone, VAT fraud cost the EU an estimated € 90 billion—more than France’s annual militairy and environment budgets combined.
Call for urgent action from all parties
Stakeholders are calling for strengthened oversight by public authorities, streamlined reporting systems, and a clear role for marketplaces. Online platforms should be required to verify seller identities, check invoices, and ensure product compliance. Co-responsibility in tax and eco-fee collection is also needed. Finally, an independent audit system—paired with labels like RecQ, verified by DEKRA Certification—should be established. Raising awareness among consumers to demand full invoices and question suspicious offers is also essential.
Conclusion
SecondaryMarket.news supports this French initiative and calls on other countries to follow suit. What’s urgently needed is coordinated European action—this is precisely where organisations like EUREFAS should step in. The Dutch association Techniek Nederland, under the leadership of Martin Hof, could also play a key role. The time to act is now, as the refurbished tech industry across Europe faces growing pressure from unfair competition, tax fraud, and non-compliant sellers operating beyond regulatory oversight.
Via: leNouvelObs
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Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
