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🇮🇹 Italy /Crime & Justice

EU fines Temu 200 million euros over illegal products risk

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The European Commission has fined Temu 200 million euros under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to adequately assess risks related to illegal products.
  • The EU executive found a high probability of consumers encountering illegal items on the e-commerce platform.
  • Temu has until August 28, 2026, to submit a plan addressing the identified violations.

The European Commission has imposed a hefty 200 million euro fine on the Chinese e-commerce giant Temu, citing violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The penalty stems from Temu's failure to diligently identify, analyze, and assess the systemic risks associated with offering illegal products on its platform. The EU executive stated that evidence indicates a high likelihood of consumers encountering such items on Temu.

The evidence available indicates that consumers have a high probability of encountering illegal items on Temu.

— European CommissionStating the basis for the fine against Temu.

According to the Commission, Temu's 2024 risk assessment did not meet the DSA's standards. It relied on general information about e-commerce risks rather than specific evidence pertaining to Temu's services. The Commission believes Temu significantly underestimated the frequency with which EU consumers might encounter illegal goods.

Temu's 2024 risk assessment does not meet the standards set by the DSA, as it is based on general information about risks related to the e-commerce sector as a whole, rather than specific evidence concerning Temu's service.

— European CommissionExplaining why Temu's risk assessment was deemed insufficient.

Evidence gathered through "mystery shopping" operations revealed serious safety concerns. A high percentage of selected chargers failed basic safety tests, and many children's toys presented medium-to-high safety risks, containing chemicals exceeding legal limits or posing choking hazards. Temu also failed to adequately assess how its service design, including recommendation systems and influencer marketing, could amplify the spread of illegal products.

Temu is now required to submit a plan by August 28, 2026, outlining the measures it will take to rectify these violations. Failure to comply with the decision could result in periodic penalty payments, while the Commission continues its collaboration with the platform to ensure adherence to its obligations.

A high percentage of the selected chargers did not pass basic safety tests, while a high percentage of the tested children's toys presented medium-to-high safety risks.

— European CommissionDetailing findings from mystery shopping operations regarding product safety.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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