ALIEXPRESS referred to in the European Commission: risks of illegal products, a fine possible up to 6 % of turnover

The European Commission paved the way on Wednesday, June 18, to a heavy fine against the Chinese giant of online commerce Aliexpress. The Brussels executive, digital gendarme in the European Union (EU), believes that Aliexpress “Has violated his obligation to assess and alleviate the risks linked to the dissemination of illegal products” as counterfeits or articles not in accordance with European safety standards.

This implication is a first for this subsidiary of the Chinese mastodon of the Internet Alibaba as part of the new EU regulation on digital services (DSA), fully entered into force in 2024 to better protect Internet users.

But the commission also underlined the promised improvements implemented by the platform, which for its part greeted “A constructive dialogue”.

Aliexpress will be able to answer in writing

“We remain fully determined to respect the DSA and implement our commitments. We are convinced that a positive and compliant result may be achieved (…) in order to respond to all the remaining concerns ”reacted Aliexpress, in a press release. “We have collaborated closely with the European Commission from the start and we will continue to do so”promised the Chinese group.

Among the problems that remain to be resolved, the commission notes in particular that the online distributor underestimates the risks of its moderation system and that it does not apply “Not correctly” its policy of sanctions towards sellers “Who repeatedly publish illegal content”.

She also underlines “Systemic failures” which make its moderation systems “Ineffective and likely to be bypassed by malicious sellers”.

Aliexpress will now have access to the file and will be able to respond in writing to the preliminary observations.

A record risk for Aliexpress

If the commission's accusation is confirmed, the group could be sentenced to a fine of up to 6 % of its annual world turnover, and be placed under reinforced surveillance until the implementation of corrective measures.

However, a spokesperson for the Commission recalled that the objective of the regulation was not to impose fines, but to obtain a compliance of companies through dialogue.

The formal formal question on Wednesday follows an investigation opened by the Commission in March 2024. It is accompanied by a satisfaction on many points raised a year ago, the platform that proposed improvements validated by the Commission.

Thus, she notes that the Chinese distributor responded to his concerns about the systems set up for “Monitor and detect illegal products, such as drugs, food supplements or adult content, likely to affect the health of users and the well-being of minors”.

The mechanism of reporting these content also gives satisfaction as well as complaint processing systems. Brussels also believes that Aliexpress now complies with the law in terms of transparency of advertisements and systems of recommendation, traceability of sellers and access to its data by researchers.

Progress welcomed by Brussels and consumer associations

“The measures taken today demonstrate the force of the legislation on digital services to create a safer online environment”welcomed the commissioner for European technological sovereignty, Henna Virkkunen, who greeted “Aliexpress’s commitments to become a safer platform for users. »»

The European Office of Consumer Unions also expressed its satisfaction with the measures taken by the Commission to enforce the law. “It is now very important that it monitors respect for the commitments of Aliexpress” and that she “Pursue [la plateforme] in the areas where it remains in violation ”commented its managing director, Agustin Reyna.

Two other e-commerce platforms of Chinese origin are also still in the cropper of Brussels. The Commission opened investigations in October and in February, respectively against the distributor TEMU and the online clothing seller Shein.