wo U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission commissioners want to examine the e-commerce retailers Shein and Temu. The delegation started to investigate
the retailers after `deadly baby and toddler products` were sold on both websites.
The commissioners, Peter Feldman and Douglas Dziak require the agency to judge how the e-commerce retailers from Singapore and China comply with their rules. They want to know how Shein, Temu, and other e-commerce platforms manage third-party sellers and imported products.
The Safety Commission did not find the specific products sold by Temu and Shein that provoked the deaths of many babies. The Safety Commission delegation reported that dangerous baby products are still on inexpensive online platforms like Shein.
One of the products banned in 2022 was the padded crib bumpers from e-commerce retailers. Congress banned this product due to the suffocation hazard that parents noticed. The prices on this type of online platform are low. Due to their low prices, Shein and Temu gained popularity in the U.S. The companies were inspected for their product quality.
The Safety Commission delegation presses the commission to investigate Chinese factories and dealers. They are sending low-value, direct-to-consumer shipments with `little or no U.S. presence.` The delegation wants better verification of online platforms like Shein. They want to analyze how the U.S. addresses potential gaps that are beyond their reach.
`Likewise, the commission must better understand what enforcement challenges exist with respect to foreign third-party sellers,` the commissioners said. `Where agency compliance staff discover safety violations, we expect (the commission) to initiate enforcement actions.`
Also, the e-commerce platforms were convened in May. This summons was due to their competitive practices that skirted U.S. trade and safety regulations. Also, their ads targeting children, low-income families, and older Americans caused the summons. Just like now, Shein and Temu did not respect the U.S. safety standards at costs and health.
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China Economic and Security Review Commission declared that `Shein products pose health hazards and environmental risks` to American citizens. The risk comes from their materials. They contain high levels of possibly dangerous chemicals. Also, e-commerce sites represent a risk to personal security because of possible data breaches.
The two commissioners informed the Safety Commission they wanted to clarify the company's priorities for 2025. `We expect this review by commission staff will inform what further steps are needed to protect American consumers.`
By
George King
•
September 4, 2024 10:00 AM