E-commerce imports of low-cost products are under EU scrutiny due to environmental and regulatory concerns. The European Commission is calling for stricter rules to ensure compliance and sustainability.
The rise of e-commerce and its environmental impact
Online commerce continues to grow, but the environmental impact of transportation and logistics remains a critical issue. This is especially true for low-value goods – those priced under €150 – that are shipped from outside the European Union and make up a significant portion of road freight.
According to the European Commission, in 2024, approximately €4.6 billion worth of products entered the EU market, translating to 12 million parcels per day. These figures have doubled compared to 2023 and tripled since 2022. Even more concerning is that many of these goods fail to meet European regulations.
The risks of online commerce
E-commerce offers significant benefits to consumers, businesses—including small and medium enterprises—and the overall EU economy, with nearly 70% of Europeans regularly purchasing products online. However, it also presents major challenges, particularly concerning the import of goods sold and delivered directly to EU consumers through online marketplaces and retailers.
To address these issues, the European Commission is implementing measures to regulate the import of low-value goods from third-country retailers. The influx of non-EU products often includes non-compliant or hazardous items that undermine EU-regulated trade and exacerbate environmental problems by increasing transport emissions and CO₂ output.
As part of its efforts, the Commission has introduced an initiative titled “A Comprehensive EU Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-commerce.” This framework promotes stronger customs controls, consumer protection, and stricter regulations for digital services and online marketplaces.
The role of Chinese imports
In 2024, 91% of all e-commerce shipments valued under €150 entering the EU originated from China. Between 2023 and 2024, the volume of these shipments more than doubled, soaring from 1.9 billion to 4.17 billion items.
This surge aligns with the rapid expansion of major online marketplaces such as Temu and SHEIN, which saw exponential growth within the EU, reaching over 75 million users in just a few months in 2024. These platforms, fueled by aggressive online advertising, low prices, and ultra-fast shipping, have significantly increased consumer demand for low-cost goods.
A call for environmental responsibilit
Every year, the EU loses over €10 billion due to non-compliance with its product regulations. EU standards require manufacturers to adhere to eco-design and energy labeling rules, ensuring products are more efficient and enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions while reducing overall energy consumption and emissions.
Stricter sustainability requirements for products sold in the EU will be enforced under the Sustainable Products Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR). The first ESPR work plan, set for April 2025, will prioritize product groups for new sustainability standards, including eco-friendly delivery and return options. By July 2025, new rules will also regulate the destruction of unsold consumer goods, particularly textiles and footwear.
E-commerce operators, both within and outside the EU, will be subject to the same regulatory standards to ensure fair market conditions. Sustainability requirements for products, packaging, and waste management must also be enforced when goods are sold online. To achieve this, the EU is reinforcing its network of environmental inspectors and law enforcement agencies.
The Commission is also exploring measures to ensure the ban on the destruction of certain consumer products and e-commerce transparency obligations are effectively enforced, including on third-country platforms.
Key EU actions
To enhance oversight and ensure compliance, the EU has outlined several strategic actions:
- Customs reform: Accelerate the adoption of customs union reforms and propose removing the customs exemption for low-value parcels to implement new regulations more swiftly.
- Strengthening import controls: Launch coordinated inspections between customs and market surveillance authorities to enhance product safety.
- Consumer protection on online marketplaces: Enforce key regulations, including the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, General Product Safety Regulation, and Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation.
- Digital tools and AI supervision: Monitor the e-commerce landscape using the Digital Product Passport and artificial intelligence-driven oversight tools.
- Consumer and merchant awareness: Educate consumers and businesses about their rights and the risks of non-compliant products.
- International trade cooperation: Train non-EU trade partners on EU product safety standards and strengthen measures against dumping and unfair subsidies.
Future objectives
The Commission is calling for collaboration among EU member states, legislators, and stakeholders to implement the proposed measures. Within a year, it will assess the impact of these actions and publish a report on the results of the intensified inspections.
If the findings indicate that current frameworks and enforcement efforts are insufficient, additional regulatory actions will be considered.
“The surge in e-commerce imports into the EU market has brought numerous challenges. The EU is committed to tackling these issues by working as Team Europe to ensure that citizens and businesses can continue to benefit from online shopping while minimizing risks associated with unsafe products that threaten consumer health and safety. We aim for a competitive e-commerce sector that keeps consumers safe, offers affordable products, and respects the environment,” stated Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy.
