European Nations Demand Stricter Oversight of E-commerce Giants
France, leading a coalition of eight other European Union member states, has called upon the European Commission to significantly strengthen its response to the 'systemic risks' presented by prominent e-commerce platforms, including Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. The collective appeal, outlined in a letter sent to Brussels on Monday, December 8, 2025, emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced enforcement of existing regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the potential for new measures to safeguard consumers and ensure fair competition across the bloc.
The signatory states, comprising Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Hungary, and Poland, are pushing for a 'collective mobilisation' to address concerns ranging from the sale of illicit products and unfair commercial practices to broader issues of product safety, environmental protection, and intellectual property violations. Serge Papin, France's Trade Minister, was identified as an initiator of this critical letter, urging the Commission to 'mobilise forcefully and relentlessly on the issue of unfair competition from third-country e-commerce platforms'.
Addressing Systemic Risks and Consumer Protection
The joint initiative highlights a range of 'systemic risks' that these platforms allegedly fail to adequately control. These include:
- The widespread availability of illicit and counterfeit goods.
- The use of unfair commercial practices, such as misleading discounts and manipulative sales tactics.
- Concerns regarding product safety, particularly for items originating from third countries that may not adhere to EU standards.
- Threats to consumer rights, including issues with inaccessible customer support and violations of return policies.
- The potential for platforms to host illegal content, including material harmful to minors.
The countries are advocating for 'coordinated efforts' to bolster checks conducted by customs and consumer protection authorities. Furthermore, they urge the European Commission to 'play an active role' in reviewing and, if necessary, strengthening existing regulations to ensure online platforms meet their obligations.
Shein Under Scrutiny: Past Violations and DSA Obligations
Shein, the fast-fashion giant, has been a particular focus of European regulators. Designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the DSA in April 2024, Shein is subject to heightened obligations regarding content moderation, user safety, and consumer protection. Investigations have revealed numerous alleged infringements, including:
- Misleading discounts and manipulative sales tactics.
- False product claims and unverifiable sustainability assertions.
- Inaccessible customer support and violations of return rights.
- Opaque seller identification.
In France, Shein faced significant controversy following the discovery of child-like sex dolls being sold on its platform. This led to an unsuccessful administrative procedure by the French government to suspend Shein's activities, with the matter subsequently referred to the courts. The European Commission has also issued formal warnings to Shein over systemic consumer rights violations and has ongoing inquiries into its compliance with the DSA.
The Digital Services Act and Future Enforcement
The Digital Services Act (DSA), which became fully applicable in February 2024, serves as the cornerstone of the EU's efforts to create a safer and more transparent online environment. It imposes tiered obligations on digital services, with VLOPs (platforms with over 45 million monthly active users in the EU) facing the most stringent requirements, including regular risk assessments and transparency reports.
The European Parliament has also weighed in, adopting a resolution that addresses the issue of illegal and unsafe products sold through e-commerce platforms like Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Wish. MEPs have called for 'decisive measures' to implement the DSA and the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), suggesting that temporary suspension of activity should be considered for 'repeated, serious or systemic infringements'.
Beyond enforcement of the DSA, France has proposed granting the EU the ability to 'de-reference' non-compliant e-commerce platforms from search engines like Google, effectively removing them from search results as a strong deterrent. Discussions are also underway regarding the removal of the customs exemption for imports under 150 euros and the introduction of a fixed €2 fee for parcels from outside the EU, aiming to close regulatory gaps and ensure imported goods meet European standards.
This concerted push by France and its allies underscores a growing determination within the EU to hold global e-commerce platforms accountable and ensure that the digital marketplace adheres to European values of consumer protection, safety, and fair competition.
6 Comments
Leonardo
It's good to see the EU addressing systemic risks from these platforms. However, they need to ensure new regulations don't just create more red tape without truly solving the core issues.
Raphael
This stifles innovation and limits choice. Let people decide what they want to buy.
Michelangelo
Stop the flood of counterfeit goods. This regulation is desperately needed.
Donatello
So much for the free market. European consumers will suffer.
Raphael
Addressing issues like counterfeit goods and manipulative tactics is absolutely necessary for consumer trust. However, consumers also bear some responsibility for seeking out incredibly cheap deals, sometimes knowing the risks involved.
Donatello
Enforcing the DSA is crucial for a safer online environment, and these platforms clearly need oversight. But we must be careful not to create barriers that harm global trade or disproportionately affect smaller sellers using these platforms.