EU commissioner shocked by dangers of goods sold by Shein and Temu

The EU justice commissioner has voiced surprise at the hazards and harmful nature of certain products offered by Shein and Temu, during a clampdown on the well-known Chinese retail sites. Michael McGrath has pledged to take action against the sale of goods that clearly violate the law, with 12 million low-value parcels arriving daily in the EU from online sellers outside the union.

He awaits the forthcoming outcomes of a covert shopper initiative across the EU to further examine evidence already collected indicating that Chinese retailers are evading EU regulations.

One of the worst instances McGrath encountered involved baby soothers with beads that easily detach, creating a choking risk due to the absence of the regulation-size hole that would allow a baby to breathe if one was swallowed by accident.

Other items mentioned by MEPs in a report published this month include children’s raincoats containing toxic substances, sunglasses lacking UV protection, and children’s shorts featuring drawstrings that exceed the allowable length, posing a tripping risk.

They also discovered cosmetics with butylphenyl methylpropional, or Lilial, which the EU identifies as a chemical of “very high concern” and has been prohibited since 2022 due to worries that it impacts fertility and fetal development. Last year, the UK government advised consumers to get rid of any products that included the ingredient.

“I am shocked by it, and I think we have a duty to protect European consumers,” McGrath told . National consumer protection agencies issue swift alerts throughout the EU regarding hazardous non-food items as a component of the Safety Gate service, which also accepts consumer grievances. The previous year, Safety Gate recorded an unprecedented 4,137 alerts, with over a third concerning cosmetics, surpassing toys, electrical devices, automotive items, and chemical goods.

Although consumer groups are focused on safety, McGrath is additionally apprehensive that the platforms, which have surged in popularity over the past two years, are harming local businesses due to unfair competition. EU statistics indicate that 12 million low-value items arrive daily in the bloc, totaling 4.6 billion shipments under €150 for 2024—twice the amount of 2023 and triple that of 2022.

The EU is contemplating measures such as eliminating the €150 duty-free limit and implementing a handling fee for every package, which could discourage low-value purchases and assist in covering the expenses of additional customs checks.