France Leads Eight EU Nations in Call for Stronger E-commerce Platform Regulation

European Nations Urge Stricter Oversight of Online Marketplaces

France, leading a coalition of eight European countries, has formally called on the European Commission and member states to strengthen their collective response to the 'systemic risks' presented by major e-commerce platforms, including Shein. The appeal, outlined in a letter sent to Brussels, emphasizes the need for more rigorous enforcement of existing regulations and the potential for additional measures to protect consumers and ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace.

The signatory states, which include Austria, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Italy, Hungary, and Poland, alongside France, are pushing for decisive action against platforms primarily originating from outside the EU.

Addressing Multifaceted Systemic Risks

The concerns raised by the coalition encompass a broad spectrum of 'systemic risks' associated with these online platforms. A primary issue is the widespread sale of illegal and dangerous products, such as counterfeit goods, non-compliant items, and, in specific instances, illicit content like child-like sex dolls and weapons. These products often fail to meet European market rules and consumer protection standards.

Furthermore, the countries highlighted manipulative business practices, often referred to as 'dark patterns,' which include:

• Misleading interfaces designed to manipulate user behavior
• Fake discounts and misleading sustainability claims
• Lack of clear information regarding refunds and returns
• Difficulties in contacting customer service

Other critical issues include the protection of minors, concerns over unfair competition, significant environmental impact from ultra-fast fashion, alleged labor exploitation, and intellectual property infringement.

Calls for Enhanced Enforcement and New Measures

The coalition's letter specifically urges the European Commission to 'mobilise forcefully and relentlessly' on the issue of unfair competition from third-country e-commerce platforms. They advocate for the rigorous implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which are key EU legislative frameworks designed to regulate online intermediaries and ensure consumer safety.

Specific actions requested include:

• Complementing ongoing investigations with provisional measures to mitigate systemic risks
• Applying additional sanctions in proceedings already launched against platforms like Temu and AliExpress
• Strengthening checks by customs and consumer protection authorities through coordinated efforts
• Reviewing and, if necessary, strengthening existing regulations
• Considering the introduction of a European tax on low-value parcels, a measure already planned for the first quarter of 2026.

Broader Context and Previous Actions

This collective push follows previous scrutiny and actions against platforms like Shein. Shein was designated a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the DSA in April 2024, subjecting it to more stringent obligations. The European Commission has already initiated requests for information from Shein to verify compliance with consumer protection rules.

In France, the government has taken specific steps, including an unsuccessful attempt to suspend Shein's operations due to the sale of child-like sex dolls, a matter now referred to the courts. Serge Papin, France's Trade Minister, was identified as the initiator of the recent letter, while Véronique Louwagie, the French Minister of Commerce, has previously highlighted the urgency of granting the European Commission authority to remove non-compliant platforms from listings. The European Parliament has also expressed support for temporary suspensions in cases of 'repeated, serious or systemic infringements' of EU law.