Thu Feb 06 16:20:00 UTC 2025: ## EU Takes Action to Curb Flood of Unsafe and Unsustainable Online Imports

**Brussels, [Date]** – The European Commission announced a new initiative today to address the surge in low-value imports entering the EU via e-commerce. In 2024, a staggering 4.6 billion parcels – 12 million daily – worth €150 or less flooded the market, double the amount from the previous year. Many of these products violate EU regulations, sparking concerns about unsafe goods, unfair competition for legitimate EU businesses, and significant environmental damage from increased shipping.

The Commission’s proposed “toolbox” for safe and sustainable e-commerce includes [mention 1-2 key proposed actions from the toolbox if available in the original text – otherwise omit this sentence]. The plan emphasizes collaboration between EU member states, lawmakers, and stakeholders to implement these measures. The Commission will assess the initiative’s effectiveness within a year and consider further action if necessary.

The move comes as online shopping enjoys widespread popularity, with around 70% of Europeans regularly purchasing goods online, including from non-EU platforms. While acknowledging the benefits of e-commerce, the Commission highlights the need to balance consumer protection, fair competition, and environmental sustainability. The ultimate goal is to create a safer, higher-quality e-commerce market within the EU. The Commission pointed to the EU’s Safety Gate system for dangerous non-food products as a key tool in this effort.

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