Synopsis
France's consumer watchdog found a staggering 75% of products from online platforms failed EU safety rules. Many items were found to be dangerous, posing risks like electric shock or containing harmful chemicals. This widespread non-compliance suggests systemic issues rather than isolated incidents. The findings will be shared with the European Commission for potential action against platforms.Listen to this article in summarized format
The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) said it had analysed more than 600 products bought from seven foreign online platforms in 2025, triple the number tested in previous years. It found 75% failed to meet EU rules, and 46% were both non-compliant and dangerous.
The regulator said it focused its testing on high-risk categories and the results cannot be extrapolated to the entirety of the platforms' product offering. It did not name the seven platforms whose products were tested.
France has been leading a Europe-wide crackdown on discount e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu, which retailers say have enjoyed an unfair advantage due to a customs duty waiver on the low-value parcels of clothes and gadgets they ship directly from factories in China.
The French watchdog said it would share the findings with the European Commission, which has powers under the EU's Digital Services Act to impose fines of up to 6% of global turnover on platforms, and has opened investigations into Shein, PDD-owned Temu, and Alibaba-owned AliExpress.
The DGCCRF said all tested electrical appliances, including hair-care devices, were non-compliant, with nearly three-quarters deemed dangerous due to risks such as electrical shock or fire.
Children's products, jewellery and clothes showed widespread breaches including choking risks and excessive levels of chemicals, the regulator said.
Officials did not share results for each platform, citing ongoing investigations. However, government representatives said the scale of failures pointed to structural problems rather than isolated lapses.
"When you are at 70-75% non‑compliance, you are no longer dealing with an exception, it is part of the business model," an official said during a DGCCRF press briefing. "This isn't a judgement, just a statement of fact."
In March, France's bid to suspend Chinese online retailer Shein's marketplace was rejected by Paris' Court of Appeal, a win for the fast-fashion giant after a scandal over sex dolls resembling children found for sale on its site.
