Germany: Free Democratic Party parliamentary group launched an inquiry into competition distortions caused by online retailers from third countries (No. 20/14579)

On 10 January 2025, the Free Democratic Party parliamentary group launched an inquiry into competition distortions caused by online retailers from third countries. The inquiry focuses on consumer protection, product safety, and customs compliance. Citing studies showing widespread non-compliance, the inquiry highlights that 95% of tested Temu toys violated European Union's safety rules and that hazardous chemicals were found in Shein clothing. The inquiry questions what measures the government is taking to address regulatory gaps. It also requests details on customs inspections conducted in September 2024, discrepancies between enforcement and consumer group findings, the scale of non-compliant imports, and revenue losses from misdeclared goods.