EU Cracks Down on Unsafe China-Made Goods Amid E-Commerce Boom

The European Union (EU) has intensified efforts to curb the influx of low-quality and potentially dangerous goods from Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Temu, AliExpress, and Shein. The move follows growing concerns over counterfeits and unsafe products flooding the European market.

A recent incident in Hamburg highlighted the risks posed by such products. A model plane enthusiast narrowly escaped injury when a propeller purchased from AliExpress shattered mid-use. The propeller, advertised as high-grade carbon fiber, was later found to be made of inferior plastic.

“This propeller cost me €15 less than what I would have paid at a local hobby shop, but its actual worth is only a fraction,” said Michael, the owner of the plane. Following the incident, he vowed never to shop from AliExpress again.

The incident underscores broader safety concerns that have prompted the European Commission to hold online marketplaces accountable for hazardous products sold on their platforms.

On February 5, the European Commission announced new measures to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Under a “product safety sweep,” authorities will use digital surveillance tools to scan e-commerce platforms for violations. The EU also proposed introducing a handling fee on imports to cover the cost of monitoring these goods.

A major loophole, known as the de minimis exemption, currently allows duty-free imports of items valued under €150. In 2023, 4.6 billion such low-value parcels—91% of which originated from China—entered the EU, doubling from the previous year.

Despite these efforts, many substandard products continue to evade scrutiny. Last year, EU authorities intercepted 17.5 million counterfeit parcels at the border, a fraction of the total volume of shipments entering the bloc.

Growing Alarm Over Counterfeits

Consumer safety advocates and industry experts warn that unchecked imports pose significant health risks. According to Dirk Vantyghem, Director-General of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex), hazardous materials in counterfeit textiles could expose consumers to carcinogens and render protective clothing ineffective.

Concerns are further reinforced by reports from Germany-based watchdog Aktion Plagiarius, whose latest findings identified several dangerous counterfeits, including electric screwdrivers falsely marketed as insulated but failing to meet international safety standards, posing a risk of electric shock, and imitations of Knipex’s “TwinGrip” pliers sold on Temu, which were found to be made from cheap materials with faulty mechanisms.

In a separate report, Germany’s electrical safety certifier VDE warned that many electronic products sold by Chinese platforms bear the CE safety mark without meeting regulatory standards. “About 80% of the electronics we examined from Chinese online sellers were non-compliant, despite carrying the CE marking,” said VDE spokesman Hendrik Schaefer.

International Crackdowns on E-Commerce Loopholes

The EU’s actions mirror similar steps in the U.S., where authorities recently attempted to close the de minimis loophole that allows duty-free imports of small-value goods. However, the abrupt decision was temporarily reversed due to logistical disruptions.

Despite the challenges, Vantyghem remains optimistic: “Unlike the U.S., where changes happen overnight, the EU process is slower. But it’s reassuring to see that action is finally being taken on both sides of the Atlantic.”

With growing pressure on policymakers, the crackdown on unsafe imports is expected to reshape global e-commerce regulations, forcing platforms to ensure higher safety and compliance standards.