Dozens of European consumer organisations sounded the alarm about Temu last year. Unfortunately, new spot checks show that life-threatening items are still for sale on the shopping platform. Consumers' Association (from The Netherlands) supports umbrella organisation BEUC's call to the European Commission to take action.
Chinese shopping platform Temu sells low-quality stuff. This is evident from spot checks by its British, Danish, Italian sister organisations. "Some products are really dangerous. They catch fire easily, or are dangerous to health. On top of that, the company details of some traders are either impossible or hard to find."
Photo: Dreamstime.
Psychological tricks
Moreover, the shopping platform does not give consumers a "fair" experience. In fact, Temu uses all kinds of forbidden psychological tricks to make consumers buy more than they want beforehand.
Complaint to regulator
In May 2024, we filed a formal complaint about both problems with the Consumer & Market Authority (ACM). Many of the sister organisations in Europe also filed a complaint with their national regulator.
New samples: little improvement
Unfortunately, little has improved since this complaint, Consumentenbond believes. Since May 2024, a new series of purchase samples has been carried out. And once again, all alarm bells are ringing. Product safety is still not up to scratch.
- November: toxic substances in toys that affect the reproductive system.
- October: endocrine disruptors in toys.
- September: PFAS in food packaging materials. PFAS can cause cancer and affect the immune system.
- August: toys for babies and toddlers from which small parts can detach.
- August: mislabelled electronic devices and water lamp with electrocution hazard.
- August: washing machine tablets that look like sweets.
- August: cosmetics with wrong information on label.
- July: toys for the very young that look like sweets and fit in the mouth.
- July: cosmetics with incorrect information on label (Chinese instructions only).
- July: bicycle helmets that do not provide adequate protection in the event of a fall.
The majority of products in these samples had dangerous defects. Manuals and safety certificates were also often missing.
To Brussels
The umbrella organisation BEUC is therefore sounding the alarm again. Now in Brussels, because since May last year Temu, as a 'very large open platform', falls under new legislation. And that is what the European Commission has to monitor. Several European investigations into Temu are already under way, but they are not yet producing enough results.
Advice to consumers
With Tumu, you run the risk of a bad or dangerous product. Better spend your money with a (web) shop that does comply with the rules. That is what Consumers' Association advises.
More information
Consumers' Association
www.consumentenbond.nl