Lazada claims zero tolerance on counterfeits, but can't check them one by one

As one of the eCommerce giants here in the PH, Lazada states that it doesn't allow partner merchants to sell fake products.

File photo: Lazada logo

Lazada placed a lot of policies against sellers of fake items

Apparently, many Filipinos ordered counterfeit items on Lazada or Shopee due to more inexpensive prices. 

The management is still working on a solution to totally eradicate those kinds of sellers on the platform. In an interview, Lazada Group's Chief Business Officer James Chang explained that although they practice zero tolerance for fakes, they cannot buy and inspect every product on the Lazada platform.

Chang also said that if Lazada can't provide an environment where brands can really thrive, then it will be hard for the brands to operate. To help their partner brand with this issue, he said that the eCommerce giant still pursues to  "invest in greater technology".

However, the chief officer did not share how much Lazada invested in this since it's a matter of confidentiality. He just added,

Actually, we are very proud to say that LazMall and also Lazada as a whole, our energy and effort towards that [good business environment] is by far the most advanced in Southeast Asia. And because of that, many of the brands are joining us in a very exclusive manner.

To recall, Lazada unveiled LazMall in 2018 which "only sells authentic and original branded products."

In 2021, both Lazada and Shopee signed a memorandum of understanding with different global and local brand owners and business associations to build a "stronger industry-wide coordination mechanism" against online counterfeiting and piracy. 

Rowel Barba from IPOPHL stated that the MoU demonstrates a code of practice among online marketplaces, as well as an "efficient notice and takedown procedure" to intensify the fight against fakes sold on the internet.

Chang also pointed out that Lazada designed a portal where anyone can flag any product that they deemed suspicious so the company can have it investigated. He added further,

We set a lot of policies against counterfeits towards the sellers and actually, we have penalty points and penalize, and in extreme cases will result in a termination of that seller's ability to sell in Lazada.

Lastly, he admitted that those efforts are still enough. On the other hand, he declared that Lazada provides the most advanced form of brand protection in Southeast Asia."

You may click here to know on how to report a seller of a fake good on Lazada.

Source: Philippine Star