The Chinese e -commerce and the high fashion giant Shein face the new scrutiny in the European Union regarding consumer protection rules after the launch of a coordinated action by the Consumer Cooperation Network (CPCN).
The action is taken by referring to the direction of the unprepared commercial practices of the European Union, the guidance of consumer rights, the direction of unprecedented contracts, the guidance of the price index, and the direction of e-commerce-although it is not clear what specified concerns the network faces regarding the Shin Market.
This step was announced on Wednesday by the European Commission because it has simultaneously provided a set of measures and reforms aimed at addressing a large number of risks associated with an increase in low -value e -commerce activity in recent years.
During a press conference announced Communication on e -commerce The European Union lawmakers have warned that “tsunami” of cheap imports was flooding the market with products that failed to meet the criteria of the mass – which creates health and safety risks for European consumers.
Invisible products such as games with small -semeable parts that can pose the risk of suffocation, electrical devices with insufficient insulation, and chemicals in clothing as examples of the risks associated with cheap imports.
“The modern evidence and the results reached by the tests conducted by the national authorities and consumer institutions are undoubtedly left – the evidence here is clear – up to 96 % of the products that were tested and sold on these platforms are not fully compatible with our rules and our safety standards.
the I say About 4.6 billion “low-value shipments” (meaning goods that do not exceed 150 euros) entered the market-equivalent to 12 million parcels per day-twice their number in 2023 and 3x 2022.
The low -cost low -cost e -commerce also raises environmental and competing concerns in the European Union.
The legislators said that the package of issues concerned requires following a multi -side approach that seeks to benefit from a full set of current laws in related fields – such as the Digital Services Law and the digital markets of the European Union, regulate the safety of public products, and the rules of Ecodesign – with pressure also on legislative reforms and additional rules In other areas, such as associated with custom duties.
Safe and sustainable e -commerce
The committee’s contacts determines what the sofa is taking place as a “comprehensive and sustainable e -commerce tools fund”, with the proposal that extends to large ticket issues such as allocated reforms and targeted measures of imported goods, as well as calling for consumer protection and competition enforcing that it is escalating in this field.
(With regard to consumer protection, it is worth noting that while the committee plays a coordination role in CPCN, the implementation of actual laws in this field falls to the authorities at the state level-so there are only many central measures that the European Union itself can take here. Here her loud and public invitation to work.)
Communication also urges the adoption of the first action plan in Ecodesign design to regulate sustainable products, to help respond to the environmental challenges offered by the boom in e -commerce, as well as pressure for the majority of the participants in the European Union to reach behind a. The proposed amendment to directing the waste framework It focuses on dealing with textile waste.
On Wednesday, the committee left a plan to present the “Digital Equity Law” – which McGrath said was aimed at “enhancing consumer protection in the digital field in a targeted manner.”
The European Union has already taken some measures in this field – sending a request to obtain information to Shein and another low -cost platform online in June, under the Digital Services Law (DSA), after the two platforms became subject to the central supervision of the European Union after its labels as platforms Big online (vlops). (While, like Shein as well, TEMU is a target of consumer protection concerns: Consumer groups in May submitted a series of coordinated complaints against them, accused of rabid DSA.)
Since March 2024, the committee has also conducted an open investigation into Marketplace online, AlexPress, another importer of cheap commodities in the mass. Since the start of the online governance framework, the European Union has identified the e -commerce as one of its penetration priorities – which EVP Henna Virkunen has repeated on that day.
“We will also give priority and intensify the supervision of the committee and enforce the rules applied to the markets via the Internet under the Digital Services Law, including commitment to assessing the risks posed by their service to consumers and the measures they take to mitigate these risks,” Virkkunen said. During the press.
Customs reform
When the Customs Union of the European Union reforms, the bloc got a proposal on the table since 2023 – which will lead to the elimination of the relief that is currently granted to beams, which are estimated at its contents less than 150 euros.
During the briefing today, Maroš šefčovič, Commercial Security and Economic Security Commissioner, said that the expected expected proposal related to the increasing e -commerce absorption and contains
He also warned that the current practice of treating citizens as importers for customs purposes is ineffective in ensuring their protection, “also stressing the need to” enhance the capabilities of control. ”
He added: “In response to the increase in low -value e -commerce imports, it is important to put in place the finishing touches on the reform of the customs union and perhaps download it in 2026.”
The committee suggests that the member states be delayed in “possible complementary measures”, such as the non -discriminatory handling fees for the goods provided by consumers directly. Other procedures that float in this field include launching a “customs priority control area” for e -commerce commodities; And launch coordinated procedures aimed at identifying and removing dangerous goods such as product safety surveying.
Šefčovič acknowledged that the communication represents a “invitation to work”, and urged legislators in the European Union and other stakeholders to “work collectively … to ensure that every citizen benefits from a reliable market on the Internet.”
Responding to the committee’s proposal, puffyThe European Consumer Organization pushed “urgent and ambition”. “Consumer groups tests Show that many products that are sold online such as games and textiles are unsafe. If the European Union is serious about protecting consumers and hitting the road to removing carbon, it must ensure that everyone is playing with the same rules. ”
“Consumer groups fully support the European Commission and the national authorities that launched enforcement procedures, such as the ongoing measures that we have launched against since That day was announced against Shin.
Chen was contacted to comment on the work of CPCN. Jacob Hera Adamovic spokesman sent a statement in which the company wrote: “We share the goal of the CPC network of ensuring that European consumers can shop online with peace of mind, and we intend to work closely with the CPC and the committee to address any concerns.”
In the broader notes that respond to the proposed tools fund for the Safe and Sustainable Electronic Trade Committee, Shin wrote that he welcomes “efforts that enhance confidence and safety for European consumers when online shopping”, and also expressed support for “competitive play at a level.”
He also said: “The Shane model upon request aims to reduce inefficiency and reduce waste on the indirect materials and stocks, which allows us to provide a wonderful style and quality at a possible prices.” European and national level at the government level to study these recommendations and study how Shein can play our role in strengthening our industry to enhance online shopping experience for European consumers.
