EU fines Temu €200m for allowing sale of illegal products - BBC NewsBBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeClimateWorldUS & CanadaUKBusinessTechScienceEntertainment & ArtsHealthMoreIn PicturesBBC VerifyNewsbeatWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastEU fines Temu €200m for allowing sale of illegal productsImage source, EPAByRobert GreenallPublished28 May 2026, 12:39 BSTUpdated 9 minutes agoThe European Union has imposed a €200m ($232m; £173m) fine on Chinese-owned online retailer Temu for having illegal products such as dangerous baby toys and faulty chargers for sale on its platform.The European Commission said the company had "failed to diligently identify, analyse and assess the systemic risks" of the products and the harm they could cause to consumers.Temu has been under investigation since October 2024 over whether it has been meeting its obligations as a designated Very Large Online Platform under EU law.The online retailer said it disagreed with the decision and deemed the fine disproportionate, and was now considering available options.The investigation involved a mystery shopping exercise carried out by an independent testing organisation, which found that a high percentage of chargers purchased through Temu failed basic electrical safety tests. It also found that a high proportion of baby toys posed safety risks, containing chemicals above legal limits or featuring small detachable parts that presented suffocation hazards, Euronews reported.As well as paying the fine, Temu has to present an action plan to address the failures by 28 August. The Commission then has two months to decide whether the company has done enough to comply.EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen told reporters that the decision was intended to send a "very strong message" to Temu.A Temu spokesperson said in a statement that the retailer respected the need for clear, consistent rules, but that the decision related to 2024 and did not reflect the current state of its systems."We disagree with the European Commission's decision and consider the fine to be disproportionate," they said."We are reviewing the decision carefully and considering all available options."But the UK consumer organisation Which? praised the decision and urged the UK to follow suit."The EU's decision to fine Temu to the tune of €200m is a strong example of the tough action needed to hold online marketplaces to account for dangerous products on their platforms," said Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?."The UK government should follow the EU's example and make use of its new powers under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act to make online marketplaces legally responsible for dangerous products."The fine is only the second imposed under the EU's Digital Services Act for content, the first being a €120m penalty against Elon Musk's X social media network last December.Related topicsEuropean UnionTemuOnline shoppingMore on this story'My child's photo was stolen to sell goods on Temu'Published12 MayWarning after Temu brush rips out child's hairPublished27 October 2025Temu's Chinese owner sees profits plunge as trade war bitesPublished28 May 2025Top storiesLive. Young people facing 'perfect storm', report warns, as more than a million not in work or education4560 viewing4.6k viewingTwo more boys die in latest heatwave water deathsPublished48 minutes agoProstate cancer screening only for "a few thousand" high risk menPublished4 hours agoMore to exploreThe £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoilWhat does hot weather do to the body?How my brother went from liberal Hollywood actor to manosphere 'messiah'Paul McCartney on playing guitar with Paul Mescal: 'He knew it better than I did!'My daughter woke up with a numb arm and died two weeks later'It's not a nice world to bring children into': Births fall to the lowest level in 50 years'Lifting the shame that was never mine to carry' - alleged victim of Al Fayed associateToy Story superfan's photo leads to premiere inviteNews Daily: Our flagship daily newsletter delivered to your inbox first thingElsewhere on the BBCWatch Amandaland with a TV LicenceHunt for a new people-smuggling boss who is running routes into the UKCarl Frampton looks inside the hidden world of probationDoes our lymphatic system need a detox?Most read1Two more boys die in latest heatwave water deaths2Man killed by train after escaping custody van3Man guilty of murdering student with ceremonial knife4Prostate cancer screening only for "a few thousand" high risk men5Iran says it targeted American base after fresh US strikes6The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil7'I've applied for more than 400 roles' - how young people are facing the job shortage8My daughter woke up with a numb arm and died two weeks later9How my brother went from liberal Hollywood actor to manosphere 'messiah'10An unhealthy focus on sex - Married at First Sight UK insiders on show's 'toxic' cultureBBC News ServicesOn your mobileOn smart speakersGet news alertsContact BBC NewsHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsTerms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpParental GuidanceContact the BBCBBC emails for youAdvertise with usCopyright © 2026 BBC. 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The European Union imposed a substantial fine of 200 million euros to the Chinese-owned online retailer Temu for permitting the sale of illegal products on its platform, including dangerous baby toys and faulty chargers. The European Commission determined that the company had failed to adequately identify, analyze, and assess the systemic risks and potential harm these products could inflict upon consumers. This action stems from an investigation that initiated in October 2024 to determine Temu's adherence to its obligations as a designated Very Large Online Platform under European Union law.

The investigation involved a mystery shopping exercise conducted by an independent testing organization, which uncovered significant safety deficiencies. The testing revealed that a high percentage of chargers purchased through Temu failed essential electrical safety tests, and a large proportion of baby toys presented safety hazards, either by containing chemical levels exceeding legal limits or by featuring small, detachable parts that posed suffocation risks.

In response to the finding, the online retailer expressed disagreement with the Commission's decision, arguing that the imposed fine was disproportionate, and is currently reviewing available options. Furthermore, Temu is required to present a comprehensive action plan detailing how it will rectify these systemic failures by August 28th. The Commission will then have two months to evaluate whether the submitted plan demonstrates sufficient compliance.

EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen indicated that the decision was intended to signal a very strong message to Temu regarding corporate accountability. Although a spokesperson for Temu stated that the decision related to 2024 and did not reflect the current state of its systems, consumer advocacy groups reacted positively to the action. For instance, the UK consumer organization Which? praised the decision and called upon the UK to emulate this precedent, suggesting the UK government utilize its powers under legislation such as the Product Regulation and Metrology Act to establish legal responsibility for online marketplaces concerning dangerous products. This penalty serves as a significant example of the regulatory response required to hold online marketplaces accountable for the safety of the goods they facilitate.