75% of E-Commerce Products Fail EU Safety Tests: French Regulator

Key Takeaways

• 75% of 600+ products tested from seven e-commerce platforms failed EU standards
• 46% of products were classified as both non-compliant and dangerous
• 100% of tested electrical appliances failed safety requirements, with 75% deemed dangerous

France's consumer protection authority has released damning test results that could reshape how Chinese e-commerce platforms operate in Europe. The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) found that three-quarters of products it tested from major online platforms in 2025 failed EU safety standards.

The findings go beyond bureaucratic non-compliance. Nearly half of all tested products, 46%, were classified as both non-compliant and dangerous. Officials called the failure rate evidence of structural problems in how these platforms operate.

What the Testing Found

The DGCCRF analyzed more than 600 products purchased from seven foreign online platforms. That's triple the number tested in previous years. The regulator did not name the platforms, citing ongoing investigations, but France has been leading a Europe-wide crackdown on discount e-commerce sites like Shein and Temu.

The results for electrical appliances were particularly alarming. All tested electrical products, including hair-care devices, failed compliance standards. Nearly three-quarters of those were deemed dangerous due to risks of electrical shock or fire.

• 75% of all tested products failed EU compliance standards
• 46% were non-compliant and dangerous
• 100% of electrical appliances failed testing
• 75% of electrical appliances posed shock or fire risks
• Children's products showed choking hazards and excessive chemical levels
• Jewelry and clothes contained harmful chemical concentrations

Children's products, jewelry, and clothing showed widespread violations including choking risks and excessive chemical levels. The DGCCRF noted it focused on high-risk product categories, so the results cannot be extrapolated to every item sold on these platforms.

Not Accidents, But Business Model

French officials did not mince words about what the data suggests. At a press briefing, an official stated plainly that the failure rate points to systemic issues rather than occasional lapses.

“When you are at 70-75% non-compliance, you are no longer dealing with an exception, it is part of the business model. This isn't a judgement, just a statement of fact.”

— DGCCRF official

The regulator will share its findings with the European Commission. Under the EU's Digital Services Act, the Commission can impose fines of up to 6% of global turnover on platforms that violate rules. The Commission has already opened investigations into Shein, Temu (owned by PDD Holdings), and AliExpress (owned by Alibaba).

The Customs Loophole

France has been vocal about what it sees as an unfair advantage enjoyed by discount e-commerce platforms. These sites ship low-value parcels of clothes and gadgets directly from Chinese factories, often avoiding customs duties through a waiver on small packages. Traditional retailers argue this creates an unlevel playing field.

The safety testing adds another dimension to the regulatory pressure. It's no longer just about tax fairness. It's about whether products reaching European consumers meet basic safety requirements.

France's attempt to suspend Shein's marketplace operations hit a wall in March 2025. Paris' Court of Appeal rejected the bid, a legal win for the fast-fashion giant following a scandal involving sex dolls resembling children found for sale on its site.

What Happens Next

The European Commission now has additional ammunition for its ongoing investigations. The Digital Services Act gives Brussels significant enforcement power, but translating test results into platform-wide penalties takes time.

For the platforms themselves, the question is whether they can clean up supply chains that move millions of products from factories to doorsteps. The DGCCRF's findings suggest that compliance failures are embedded in operations, not occasional oversights to be fixed with better quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which e-commerce platforms were tested by the French regulator?

The DGCCRF did not name the seven platforms tested, citing ongoing investigations. However, France has been targeting platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress in its broader regulatory crackdown.

What products were most dangerous in the DGCCRF tests?

Electrical appliances had a 100% failure rate, with 75% deemed dangerous due to shock and fire risks. Children's products, jewelry, and clothing also showed widespread violations including choking hazards and harmful chemicals.

What penalties can the EU impose on non-compliant e-commerce platforms?

Under the Digital Services Act, the European Commission can impose fines of up to 6% of a platform's global turnover for violations.

Why do discount e-commerce platforms have an advantage over traditional retailers?

These platforms ship low-value parcels directly from factories in China, often benefiting from customs duty waivers on small packages. Traditional retailers argue this creates unfair competition.

Source: Tech-Economic Times / ET