Topic
product safety
Regulations & Compliance AliExpress Fined Record €550m by EU for Allowing Sale of Illegal Products Under Digital Services Act
The European Commission fined AliExpress a record €550m (£467m) for allowing the sale of illegal products such as unsafe toys and counterfeit clothes, the highest penalty under the Digital Services Act. The two-year investigation found detection systems failed, illegal products remained online for weeks, and compliance checks were easily circumvented. AliExpress must pay the fine and submit a remediation plan by October 20.
Regulations & Compliance Which? Finds 150 Unsafe Baby Products Still Sold on Major Online Marketplaces
A Which? investigation identified 150 potentially dangerous baby products—self-feeders, sleep pillows, and sleeping bags—listed for sale by third parties on eight online marketplaces including Amazon, eBay, and TikTok. Many products were subject to official safety warnings from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Which? is urging the UK government to impose a clear legal duty on online marketplaces for product safety under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act.
Regulations & Compliance FDA Authorizes ZYN Nicotine Pouches as Lower-Risk Alternative to Cigarettes, With Caveats
On June 30, the FDA authorized 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products to carry a modified risk claim, stating they are a lower-risk alternative to cigarettes for adults who completely switch. The decision is based on toxicology data and public health modeling but comes with caveats: it applies only to specific products and only to full switchers. Global sales of nicotine pouches reached 23.4 billion units in 2024, a >50% increase from the previous year, according to the WHO.
Regulations & Compliance Unsafe Knock-off Chargers Pose Explosive Risks
A report by Which? highlights the dangers of knock-off phone chargers sold online, posing risks of electric shock and explosion. The consumer group calls for stricter regulations on online marketplaces.