Online shoppers purchasing medicines and cosmetics often face the challenge of distinguishing genuine products from counterfeit ones. Russian e-commerce platform Ozon is taking decisive action to address this concern by implementing a new quality control system.
Independent Youth Community as Third-Party Auditor
Ozon recently announced the establishment of an independent youth community called "Anti-Counterfeit" that will serve as a third-party verification body. This initiative provides an additional layer of quality control for product information cards, with particular focus on categories directly impacting consumer health and safety—including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dietary supplements.
According to Dmitry Kim, Ozon's Vice President, this measure represents a significant step in the platform's efforts to enhance quality control and combat counterfeit goods. Under the new policy, products found to have inaccurate information or quality issues will be immediately removed from the platform. Sellers must either rectify the problems or submit documentation proving compliance with relevant regulations before their products can be relisted.
Strengthening Platform Oversight
Ozon has been progressively intensifying its product quality monitoring in recent years. The platform has already implemented automatic integration with the Russian Ministry of Health's database, enabling real-time verification of medical product registration status to ensure all pharmaceuticals sold comply with legal requirements.
Additionally, Ozon has partnered with the national product traceability system "Honest Sign" to gradually implement automated verification of product labeling, thereby improving supply chain transparency.
Building Consumer Trust
Through these multifaceted measures—including third-party oversight, government database integration, and automated verification systems—Ozon aims to create a safer and more reliable e-commerce environment. These initiatives not only protect consumer rights but also enhance the platform's overall credibility and competitive position in the market.
The comprehensive approach adopted by Ozon may serve as a valuable reference for other cross-border e-commerce platforms facing similar challenges with product authenticity and quality assurance.