MEPs Push China on E-Commerce Rules

Members of the European Parliament have called for stronger enforcement of product safety, consumer protection and fair competition rules after completing a three-day visit to Beijing and Shanghai. The delegation from the Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee visited China from March 31 to April 2, its first official trip to the country in eight years.

The MEPs met Chinese parliamentarians, regulators, customs officials, European businesses and representatives of Alibaba, Shein and Temu. Discussions focused on differences between European and Chinese consumer protection systems, oversight of online platforms and the growing volume of parcels entering the European Union from China.

According to the delegation, Chinese shipments account for 91% of small parcels arriving in Europe. MEPs said production overcapacity and the rapid expansion of cross-border e-commerce were putting pressure on the EU single market and creating an uneven competitive environment. They also raised concerns about potential health and safety risks for consumers and called on platforms to comply with EU digital and consumer protection requirements.

Anna Cavazzini, chair of the committee and head of the delegation, said European consumers should have access to affordable products without compromising their health or safety. She said companies must be held accountable for non-compliance, including the sale of unsafe goods and failure to meet customs obligations, adding that EU rules should apply equally to all businesses.