China's Shein set to face tougher EU online rules
China's Shein, a fast-fashion company, has been designated as a very large online platform by the European Union. This means Shein will face stricter rules on online content and counterfeit products. Shein has committed to complying with these rules. The EU has also asked other tech firms, including Amazon, Apple, and Alibaba, to provide information on their efforts to combat illegal content and goods. The EU is investigating social media platform X and TikTok as well. Violations can result in fines of up to 6% of a company's global turnover.
BRUSSELS, April 26 (Reuters) - The European Union designated Chinese-founded fast-fashion company Shein as a very large online platform (VLOP) after it reported a huge number of users, the EU said in a statement on Friday.
Companies with more than 45 million users are regarded as VLOPs under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), facing stricter rules on online content that require them to do more to fight illegal and harmful content as well as counterfeit products on their platforms.
The online retailer said it was committed to comply with the rules.
“We share the Commission’s ambition to ensure consumers in the EU can shop online with peace of mind, and we are committed to playing our part,” Leonard Lin, Shein’s global head of public affairs, said in a statement.
Shein, which is eyeing a U.S. initial public offering, launched its marketplace in the EU in August last year.
The DSA applies to all online platforms since Feb. 17.
Sixteen tech firms, including Amazon.com (AMZN.O) , Apple (AAPL.O) , Alibaba (9988.HK) , Microsoft (MSFT.O) and three pornography sites, are subject to the DSA, with the bloc asking some for information on steps taken to counter illegal content and goods sold online.
The EU is already investigating social media platform X and ByteDance’s TikTok. Violations can result in fines of as much as 6% of a company’s global turnover.