The European Commission has imposed a hefty million-euro fine on Chinese online retailer Temu, stating that the company does not adequately prevent illegal and unsafe products from appearing on its platform. According to Brussels, Temu is in clear violation of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU’s key digital safety law.
Unsafe and high‑risk items
The Commission says European consumers are “very likely” to encounter products on Temu that do not meet EU safety standards. Many chargers sold on the platform fail to comply with electrical safety rules, and several baby toys contain banned chemicals or parts that can detach easily. All of these items pose serious risks. Under the DSA, Temu is required to identify and remove such high‑risk products. But according to the Commission, the company still lacks a clear overview of what is being sold and how dangerous items spread across the platform.
“Risk assessment is not a checklist. It is the backbone of digital legislation”, says European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen (Technological Sovereignty). She argues that Temu leaves “regulators, users, and the public in the dark” about the scale of the problem. “It is time for Temu to comply with the law”.
Deadline
Temu must submit a detailed risk‑reduction plan by 28 August. If it fails to do so, additional penalties may follow. The case comes as the EU also investigates Shein, another major Chinese retailer, over illegal products, including child‑like sex dolls, and concerns about addictive platform design.
Temu told Bloomberg it disagrees with the fine, calling it excessive. The company says it has already taken extra steps to improve the detection of high‑risk products and strengthen consumer protection.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
