EU Launches Investigation into Safety Violations by Temu and Shein
The EU is investigating Temu and Shein for serious product safety violations, revealing hazardous substances and unsafe products.
Key Points
- • EU investigation into Temu and Shein reveals serious safety violations.
- • Products include choking hazards and banned toxic chemicals.
- • EU may eliminate the duty-free threshold to deter low-cost purchases.
- • Shein claims to invest in safety, while Temu has not commented.
The European Union (EU) has initiated an investigation into Chinese e-commerce giants Temu and Shein over alarming safety violations regarding their product offerings. EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath expressed shock at the findings, which have uncovered significant safety concerns including choking hazards in baby products, sunglasses devoid of UV protection, and toxic materials in children’s raincoats. In addition, cosmetic items sold by these companies reportedly contain lilial, a chemical banned in the EU since 2022 due to its allergenic effects and potential risks to fertility and fetal development.
The EU is also contemplating the removal of the 150 euros duty-free threshold, which would mean additional fees on low-cost packages. This move is intended to create a level playing field for European businesses that comply with stringent safety regulations, as McGrath pointed out that the current landscape presents unfair competition against companies evading these standards.
Shein has countered the allegations by claiming that it invests $15 million annually to ensure product safety, while Temu has remained silent regarding the investigation. As discussions are set to take place in Beijing next week between EU officials and their Chinese counterparts, it remains to be seen if these serious issues will be addressed directly in talks.