British media: EU plans to crack down on a large influx of "unsafe" Chinese packages
Michael McGrath, the EU Justice Commissioner, said in an interview that the EU plans to crack down on "extremely dangerous" products sold on Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba and the Chinese-owned platform Shein, and admitted, "We need to do better" to protect European consumers.
McGrath said in an interview with the UK's Financial Times that the EU has failed to adequately protect its citizens from the surge of unsafe goods coming directly from China to consumers' homes.
McGrath also said, "I am deeply concerned about the large number of unsafe products entering the EU. I believe we have a responsibility to better protect EU citizens, and also a responsibility to ensure that European businesses operate in a fair competitive environment."
He pointed out that authorities across countries have repeatedly seized very dangerous products that could have a lifelong impact on individuals, and even cause casualties.
McGrath admitted that customs and enforcement officers are overwhelmed, and only a small portion of unsafe products entering the EU are intercepted.
He mentioned that around 4.6 billion low-cost packages entered the EU in 2024, and this figure doubles every two years. Approximately 90% of them come from China.
McGrath's plan includes giving the European Commission the power to investigate the most serious cross-border cases, to alleviate the pressure on national authorities.
He also suggested updating consumer protection and market regulation laws, saying, "The current system is not perfect."
McGrath said that when consumer groups find dangerous products, platforms usually just remove them, "I think stronger deterrent measures are needed."
Cosmetics and toys are the most commonly seized types of products.
The EU technical regulations classify the e-commerce platforms as platforms rather than retailers, so they are not responsible for goods purchased through their websites, which are usually sourced from retailers outside the EU.
However, once a problematic product is identified, the platform must cooperate with the relevant authorities and remove the product.
A recent survey by the European Toy Industries Association found that a large number of dangerous toys are still being sold online in the EU, including toxic slime, and some toys contain easily detachable and swallowable batteries.
Last month, EU authorities stated that they were reviewing Shein's potentially illegal products under the EU's Digital Services Act, including children-shaped adult dolls and weapons.
Previously, Paris authorities had demanded that Shein suspend operations in France, citing the site's alleged promotion of such illegal products. France has also sought to ban Chinese e-commerce platforms such as AliExpress, part of Alibaba Group, and Joom, based in Portugal, on similar grounds.
The EU recently agreed to cancel the tariff exemption for packages valued at less than 150 euros delivered directly to consumers. EU finance ministers also reached an agreement on the 12th of this month that starting July 1, 2025, a 3-euro tariff will be imposed on all imported small packages.
The U.S. government canceled the tariff exemption for small packages valued below 800 dollars this year, and McGrath said this move significantly reduced the number of small packages sent to the United States.
Shein responded by stating that the company shares the EU Commission's goals, which is to ensure that EU consumers can shop safely online, and the company is "working fully" with French authorities.
Alibaba and Joom did not respond to requests for comment from the Financial Times.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851524771782656/
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