Online shopping scandal shines light on urgent need for EU regulation
Today, the European Parliament voted on a crucial resolution to protect European consumers from the dangerous practices of certain e-commerce platforms. This resolution follows the Shein scandal in France, where pedocriminal dolls and weapons were being sold. The Greens/EFA group is calling for stricter obligations for e-commerce platforms,stronger sanctions for non-compliance with European law, mandatory enhanced controls on products sold and, above all, the immediate suspension of platforms in the event of serious and repeated violations. We also denounce the exploitative ultra-fast, low-cost business model of these online marketplaces, which undermines fair competition, consumer safety, human rights and environmental protection across the EU and we push the Commission to act against fast fashion products.
Greens/EFA MEP Saskia Bricmont, member of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, comments:
"Shein is the symbol of a system gone awry, where profit and overconsumption dominate everything else. What is the European Commission waiting for to sanction online commerce platforms that break the law? Launching investigations is all well and good, but it is time to conclude them and take action.
“Using a business model that prioritises instant access and low prices over environmental protection, consumer safety and fundamental values, these e-commerce platforms circumvent the rules, endanger consumers and create unfair competition for European companies. Today, investigations into illegal practices and products sold online take months or even years, and sanctions or suspensions of platforms are virtually non-existent. It is high time to put an end to this business model based on circumventing the rules, exploitation and a total lack of responsibility. The Greens/EFA call for the immediate suspension of the Shein platform for the duration of the investigation, in accordance with the precautionary principle. Europe must protect its citizens before protecting e-commerce platforms."
