How the EU wants to control China’s online cheap markets

Constant rule violations

In their Test purchases The toy experts have stocked up on a selection of toys on the platforms. Results are frightening: Not a single toy complies with EU standards and 90 percent of them are classified as dangerous.

But the problem is: Who is last responsible for these violations? After some searching on the online platforms you will find the Addresses of the European representation of the respective Chinese manufacturer. This is required by law.

Letterbox companies

However, these addresses do not stand up to scrutiny. Many of them are obviously no more than Mailboxes, dozens of them at the same address – and nobody responds to inquiries. A allegedly European addresses The testers finally made in California out of.

At the EU people have now become aware of the problem. In several ways, attempts are being made Getting China’s online giants under controlwhich came into force a few months ago. Digital Service Act DSA makes them so-called “very large platforms”. This means that Temu or Shein have to follow certain rules when advertising, for example they are no longer allowed to pretend that a product will soon be sold out.

In addition, they are at least fundamentally in favor of responsible for what they sell. So if you are from the Authority of an EU country – in Austria, for example, the Consumer protection – are made aware of a danger, they must Withdraw product from market. But that sounds easier than it actually is.

Intermediary instead of seller

Most authorities in the EU are unable to cope with the constantly changing flood of offers on the platforms. Reviews are, if at all, only randomly possible. And since the platforms not as a seller, but only as an agent occur are actual Claims for damages are difficult to implement.

The second Loophole for the Chinese is a decades-old regulation that restricts parcels from China with a value of under 150 euros duty free into the EU lWhat was once intended to help developing countries is now a gateway for cheap goods. But Brussels wants to finally put an end to this in 2028 make.

Can this be used to control the online cheap toys? According to toy experts, this still needs much more political pressure – and probably a lot of patience. The test buyers, who also tried to complain to Temu, were initially only able to record very modest success. They received the few euros back for the toy.