Icecat & the Digital Services Act

The Digital Services Act (DSA) introduces a harmonized regulatory framework for online services in the EU. Its primary objective is to make the digital environment safe, transparent, and predictable, particularly where large-scale user-generated content is concerned.

Icecat’s activities differ from those of typical online platforms. We provide structured product information sourced from brand owners and manufacturers, distributed to retailers, distributors, and other partners. This type of content is already governed by consumer protection law, product safety law, and intellectual property law, and rarely involves the types of risks (e.g. hate speech, extremist material, child sexual abuse) the DSA was designed to address.

Nonetheless, Icecat has reviewed the DSA carefully and gives an update about its activities in the light of the articles relevant to hosting services (Articles 11–18). By doing so, Icecat demonstrates its commitment to transparency, trust, and accountability in digital trade.

• Article 11 – Contact Point for Authorities
  Icecat provides an official electronic point of contact in Dutch and English, as required.
  
• Article 12 – Contact Point for Users
  Users can report inaccuracies via the “Report a mistake” form. All reports are reviewed by Icecat staff and resolved within 24 hours.
  
• Article 13 – EU Legal Representative
  Icecat N.V. and its other EU entities
  
• Article 14 – Transparent Terms & Safety Commitments
  Icecat’s General Terms & Conditions and Content License already set clear rules. Prohibited activities include spam, unauthorized scraping (outside documented APIs), pyramid schemes, malware, harassment, hate speech, unlawful promotions, and other harmful or illegal behavior. Sanctions may include content removal or access restrictions. Moderation procedures are in place and accessible.
  
• Article 15 – Annual Transparency Report
  Icecat issues this blog as its voluntary transparency update and its annual report.
  
• Article 16 – Notice-and-Action Mechanism
  The “Report a mistake” function provides a user-friendly channel to flag any issues related to the product content. Icecat acknowledges and resolves such reports promptly.
  
• Article 17 – Statement of Reasons for Content Removal
  If Icecat removes or restricts content, users receive a clear explanation of the reasons and available remedies. While product data removals are rare, the process is in place.
  
• Article 18 – Reporting of Serious Crimes
  If Icecat becomes aware of content indicating a serious criminal offence posing a threat to life or safety, it will notify the relevant law enforcement authorities without delay. Although highly unlikely in the context of product data, Icecat maintains procedures to comply.

Icecat’s role as a global product content provider is fundamentally different from that of platforms hosting unregulated user-generated material. For this reason, the DSA’s strictest transparency and moderation provisions do not apply to Icecat.

Nevertheless, Icecat adheres to the principles of the DSA by maintaining transparent terms, rapid reporting and correction processes, clear responsibilities, and appropriate escalation procedures.