EU Pressures Temu to Counter Illegal Product Sales on its Platform

The European Commission said it had sent a request for information to shopping website Temu under the Digital Services Act (DSA), asking Temu for information on steps it was taking to stop illegal products being sold on its platform.

"Today, the Commission has sent a request for information (RFI) to Temu under the Digital Services Act (DSA), requesting the platform to provide detailed information and internal documents on the mitigation measures taken against the presence and reappearance of traders selling illegal products on its online marketplace," said the Commission on Friday.

"Temu must provide the requested information by 21 October 2024. Based on the assessment of Temu's replies, the Commission will determine the next steps," it added.

Temu is a discount-focused shopping platform owned by the Chinese company PDD Holdings. In May, the European Commission had already stated that Temu would have to comply with stricter EU online content rules after its user numbers exceeded a key criterion.

The European Commission (EC) is the primary executive arm of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission headed by a President.It includes an administrative body of about 32,000 European civil servants. The commission is divided into departments known as Directorates-General (DGs) that can be likened to departments or ministries each headed by a Director-General who is responsible to a Commissioner.