The rapid growth of e-commerce has revolutionized the way consumers shop, bringing convenience, variety, and competitive pricing to millions. However, this digital transformation has also introduced significant challenges, particularly regarding compliance with EU regulations, fair competition, and environmental sustainability.
In 2024 alone, approximately 4.6 billion low-value consignments (valued at €150 or less) entered the EU market, doubling the previous year’s volume. With 12 million parcels arriving daily, concerns have escalated over the influx of non-compliant products, unfair advantages for certain sellers, and the environmental consequences of mass shipping. In response, the European Commission has outlined a comprehensive strategy to ensure safe, sustainable, and fair e-commerce practices.
Strengthening Customs Regulations for a Level Playing Field
The sheer volume of e-commerce imports has placed immense pressure on customs authorities, with online purchases accounting for over 97% of customs declarations. To address this challenge, the EU Commission has proposed several key reforms:
- Customs Reform Package: A proposal to eliminate the €150 duty exemption for low-value parcels to level the playing field among sellers and ensure compliance with EU regulations.
- Simplified Tariff Treatment: A streamlined tariff approach for low-value consignments to ease the burden on customs authorities.
- Non-Discriminatory Handling Fees: The consideration of a handling fee for e-commerce items imported directly to consumers, payable by retailers or platforms, to cover the increasing costs of compliance supervision.
These measures aim to ensure that all sellers—both within and outside the EU—operate under the same regulatory framework, fostering fair competition while reinforcing customs oversight.
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Enhancing Consumer Protection in Online Marketplaces
Consumers frequently encounter untrustworthy online sellers, making digital consumer protection a top priority for the Commission. The EU has introduced several regulatory frameworks to address this issue:
- Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA): These laws impose EU-wide regulations on online intermediaries and marketplaces, ensuring that only compliant products are available for sale. Large platforms must also assess risks related to counterfeit, unsafe, or non-compliant goods.
- General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR): Enacted in December 2024, this regulation modernizes product safety standards and enforces stricter obligations for online marketplaces.
- Digital Fairness Act (Upcoming): Following an evaluation of existing consumer protection laws, the Commission intends to propose this act to address gaps and enhance digital consumer rights.
Additionally, coordinated enforcement actions, such as the recent case against Temu for misleading discounts and dark patterns, highlight the EU’s commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring accountability among online sellers.
Implementing Strict Import Controls and Product Safety Checks
Ensuring product safety remains a cornerstone of the EU’s e-commerce strategy. The Commission, in partnership with national customs and market surveillance authorities, will launch several initiatives:
- Coordinated Customs Controls: A focused effort to identify and regulate high-risk e-commerce imports, prioritizing products with known safety concerns.
- Joint Product Testing and Mystery Shopping: Under the Consumer Safety Network, these measures will verify compliance and ensure products meet EU safety standards.
- Product Safety Sweep (2025): A large-scale initiative to inspect frequently ordered e-commerce products for compliance, ensuring they carry necessary information such as the contact details of responsible entities within the EU.
These initiatives aim to strengthen consumer confidence while minimizing the risks posed by unsafe or non-compliant products flooding the market.
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Leveraging Digital Tools for Smarter Regulation
To better monitor and regulate e-commerce imports, the Commission is advancing its digital capabilities:
- Digital Product Passport: An innovative tool designed to provide authorities with enhanced traceability of products, facilitating compliance checks.
- E-Surveillance Web Crawler: An AI-driven system launching in early 2025 to detect and monitor non-compliant products across online marketplaces.
- Interoperable Compliance Databases: Streamlining existing product safety databases to enhance regulatory efficiency and accessibility for authorities.
By integrating these digital tools, the EU aims to modernize oversight mechanisms and improve coordination among regulatory bodies.
Addressing the Environmental Impact of E-Commerce Imports
The environmental footprint of e-commerce imports is a growing concern, as the mass transportation of goods contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and excessive waste. The Commission’s strategy includes:
- Accelerating Sustainable Transport Regulations: Advocating for the swift adoption of new rules on accounting for emissions from transport services.
- Revising the Waste Framework Directive: Ensuring better waste management practices, particularly for imported goods that are difficult to recycle.
- Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation: Implementing stricter eco-friendly product design requirements to reduce environmental harm.
By emphasizing sustainability, the EU seeks to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility, encouraging businesses to adopt greener practices while mitigating the negative effects of mass e-commerce shipments.
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A Unified Effort for a Safer, Fairer, and More Sustainable E-Commerce Market
The European Commission is calling on EU countries, legislators, and industry stakeholders to collaborate in implementing these measures. Within a year, the Commission will evaluate their effectiveness and introduce further regulations if needed.
As e-commerce continues to evolve, the EU remains committed to fostering a safe, high-quality, and sustainable digital marketplace. These initiatives not only protect consumers but also create a fair business environment and promote long-term sustainability.
Source : European Commission
InfoCons – European Organization for Consumer Protection and Promotion of Programs and Strategies , a full member of the World Organization Consumers International, founding member of the Federation of Consumer Associations, and member of ANEC .