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The Czech Republic advocates tightening rules for e-shops outside the EU, has the support of other countries

by AI | 17.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Non-compliance with European legislation, according to Hladík, negatively impacts consumers as well as the fair functioning of the single market. There are problems especially with packaging, recycling fees, taxation, or the non-fulfillment of consumer standards.

View of a laptop with the Temu app logo. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa

Brussels – At today’s meeting in Brussels, the Czech Republic is advocating for stricter rules for digital marketplaces outside Europe, especially e-shops like Temu. Czech Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík told reporters in Brussels that the Czech Republic is supported by most of the EU’s 27 member states.

“Large digital markets, especially the Chinese ones, very often do not comply with European regulations. We want nothing more than a level playing field and equal rules, so that others also comply with European legislation. This concerns packaging, tax matters, product quality,” said the Czech minister. “I must say that we have great support from a number of countries here. The French, Danes, Slovaks supported us in writing, and another seven countries verbally,” he added.

According to Hladík, non-compliance with European legislation negatively affects consumers and the fair functioning of the single market. Problems are particularly related to packaging, recycling fees, taxation, or non-compliance with consumer standards.

The problem should be resolved very quickly, the Czech minister added, stating that there are two possible paths. The first is to reopen the European Digital Services Act (DSA), and the second option is to address the issue within the framework of the so-called Clean Industrial Deal, which aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European industry, and the commission is expected to present its proposal by the end of February. (December 17)