European Parliament MEPs have called out the slow progress of the EU Commission’s investigations into non‑EU online platforms and demanded that temporary suspensions become a standard response—not a last‑resort—for systemic legal breaches, citing cases like Shein.
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution expressing concern about the slow pace of EU Commission investigations into non‑EU online marketplaces. MEPs argue that temporary suspension of operations should not be treated as a “last‑resort measure” when platforms display serious or systemic violations of EU law, referencing ongoing issues with Shein.
Meanwhile, on December 8, 2025, a coalition of eight Member States—led by France alongside Austria, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Italy, Hungary and Poland—sent a letter urging the Commission to “mobilize forcefully and relentlessly” against systemic risks stemming from third‑country e-commerce platforms such as Shein. The coalition referenced repeated non-compliance with EU product safety, consumer protection and other rules.
Serge Papin, France’s Trade Minister and initiator of the letter, spoke at the EU Competitiveness Council, insisting that any formal investigation “must be complemented by provisional measures” to manage unchecked systemic risks—a position he reinforced alongside calls for “additional sanctions” in cases involving Temu and AliExpress.
Earlier in December, French authorities attempted to impose an administrative suspension on Shein for selling child‑like sex dolls, a request now pending a court ruling expected on December 19. Anticipating legal challenges, France views EU-level intervention as essential.
These actions are part of wider EU efforts under the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation, through which national authorities coordinated by the Commission have already urged Shein to comply with EU consumer laws. Investigations are also underway under the Digital Services Act (DSA), targeting systemic risks such as unsafe products and deceptive design tactics on major platforms.
Member State signatories also called for stronger EU-level enforcement, advocating coordinated customs and consumer protection checks, potential revision and tightening of platform obligations, and the introduction of a European tax on low-value parcels—a measure already agreed by finance ministers and set to come into effect in early 2026.
