In response to the indication that the "free shipping" label, which is spreading through online shopping, is putting pressure on the logistics industry, the Consumer Affairs Agency has postponed the introduction of new regulations as a result of the review, and has asked a group of online shopping businesses to voluntarily review the labeling.
Regarding the free shipping label, the logistics industry has called for a review of the labeling, saying that it is unfairly putting pressure on the industry by giving consumers the misunderstanding that "delivery does not cost anything."
In response to this, the Consumer Affairs Agency has been exchanging opinions with 6 organizations, including organizations made up of logistics companies, companies engaged in online shopping, and consumer groups, since June of this year.
As a result, it was clarified that the introduction of new regulations was postponed, and that it had asked four organizations made up of online retailers and others to voluntarily review the labeling.
Specifically, instead of labeling it as free shipping, we asked them to change the notation to "shipping costs to our expense" or "shipping included" in the price, and if they continue to display free shipping, they asked them to explain in an easy-to-understand manner who is paying the shipping fee and paying the appropriate freight to the delivery company.
Tsuyoshi Furukawa, manager of the Consumer Affairs Agency's Consumer System Division, said, "We thought that we should work together on sustainable logistics rather than fighting over laws and regulations, so we asked for the cooperation of major platformers and industry groups.