Danish lawmakers push for stricter regulations on online marketplace Temu amid consumer safety concerns

Many products from popular online marketplaces in Denmark are considered “dangerous,” “unpleasant,” and “gross,” according to Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen, the business spokesperson for the Socialist Party (SF). Today, she has summoned both Business Minister Morten Bødskov and Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage for a consultation focused on the regulation of the second most-used online store in Denmark, the Chinese platform Temu.

This consultation coincides with a recent Consumer Council survey, which found that nearly one in five of 40 plastic toys purchased from popular websites, including Temu, contained phthalates. These chemicals are suspected of having hormone-disrupting effects. Bech-Nielsen stated, “We can be very grateful for the Consumer Council for exposing this. But we also need authorities to prevent Danish children and young people from getting their hands on these products.”

Phthalates are used as plasticizers in various products, including toys, paints, and adhesives. Animal studies indicate that some phthalates may reduce fertility, and certain types are banned in the EU for toys intended for children aged 0-14.

Yesterday, the Business Minister announced three initiatives, including an artificial intelligence tool aimed at tightening control over illegal and dangerous products on online platforms. Bech-Nielsen expressed a desire for more information on these initiatives, specifically regarding how AI could identify harmful substances in toys that are inadequately labeled.

She argues that Danish authorities already possess the means to impose fines on Temu and other online marketplaces, with the potential to shut down websites that violate safety regulations. Alongside her parliamentary colleague, Helle Bonnesen of the Conservative Party, she called for more robust control mechanisms to ensure consumer safety when purchasing toys online.