Temu fined 200 million euros: EU targets dangerous chargers and illegal toys

The European Commission has fined Temu 200 million euros under the Digital Services Act. It accuses the Chinese platform of failing to properly manage the risks associated with the sale of illegal and dangerous products.

Investigations have revealed non-compliant chargers and toys containing chemical substances in excess of legal limits. Temu has until August 28, 2026 to submit a compliance plan.

At the heart of the accusation is superficial risk management: according to Brussels, Temu based its analysis on general e-commerce guidelines, rather than on the risks specific to its own catalog. The result? European consumers have a high probability of coming across illegal or dangerous products on the Temu website.

What the investigation revealed

The evidence was gathered through an undercover "mystery shopping" operation. The results were alarming: a very high percentage of the chargers tested failed to pass basic safety checks, while a significant proportion of the children's toys presented risks of medium to high severity, including chemical substances exceeding legal thresholds and small detachable parts posing a choking hazard. To top it all off, the platform's promotion and marketing system, including affiliate programs with influencers, allegedly amplified the distribution of these non-compliant items.

A record fine, but not the maximum

At 200 million euros, Temu's fine is the highest ever imposed under the DSA 120 million imposed on X, Elon Musk's social media network, in December 2025. However, it remains well below the statutory maximum of 6% of the company's worldwide sales. This amount was determined taking into account the nature, seriousness and duration of the infringement.

Where do we go from here?

Temu has until August 28, 2026 to submit a corrective action plan to the Commission. Once this plan has been approved, the company will be given a reasonable period of time to implement it. In the event of non-compliance, penalties will be imposed. This intervention comes against a backdrop of growing institutional concern about Chinese platforms: in addition to Temu, Shein and AliExpress are also in the EU's sights, while the College of Commissioners will meet on May 29 to address the broader issue of Chinese competition and the risk of Europe's de-industrialization.

Source: digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu