The number of packages from outside the EU ordered online by consumers is growing explosively and is difficult to control. To protect consumers from unsafe and non-sustainable products, a joint approach is needed. Various regulators will discuss this with the Economic Affairs Committee during a roundtable discussion on Wednesday, March 19. You can follow the conversation live from 11:30 AM.
Various regulatory authorities (Inspectorate of Living Environment and Transport, Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate, Dutch Labor Inspectorate) and customs have called on the Minister of Economic Affairs for action in January. Action is needed to protect consumers.
Control Impossible
Annually, more than a billion packages enter the EU through the Netherlands. That is about forty percent of the total e-commerce import in the EU. Manufacturers, especially from Asia, increasingly deliver their products directly to European consumers and businesses. It has become impossible for Dutch regulators to effectively and efficiently control all these products at the border in cooperation with customs.
Risky and Poorly Functioning
Research shows that 85 to 95 percent of inspected products from SHEIN, AliExpress, and Temu do not comply with European product legislation, according to the regulators. Products are not effective, can be risky for consumers, or do not work well. For example, toys with loose parts that small children can choke on, or electronics that catch fire due to overheating or cause interference with other devices. Many banned substances, such as lead, are also found in products from Asia.
Joint Approach
The Dutch regulators and customs propose a joint approach, whereby all parties take responsibility. Regulators and customs will discuss this with the House of Representatives.
Roundtable Discussion
The committee receives the following representatives for the roundtable discussion:
- Roel van t Veld, Customs, Coordinating Advisor EU Cooperation
- Esmeralda Wallast Groenewoud, NVWA, Director of Enforcement
- Mattheus Wassenaar, ILT, Inspector General
Read More and Follow Live
- Read the documents related to this roundtable discussion.
- Follow the roundtable discussion live from 11:30 AM.