The European Commission has issued preliminary findings confirming an AliExpress illegal product breach of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). This news marked a significant regulatory shift on Wednesday.
AliExpress illegal product breach
AliExpress has been found to have systematically failed to enforce its policies against sellers of counterfeit and illegal goods, triggering renewed scrutiny under the AliExpress illegal product breach investigation.
EU Digital Services Act enforcement
Under the DSA, Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) like AliExpress must:
- Evaluate risks related to illegal content or goods.
- Establish robust mitigation strategies.
- Monitor and remove harmful content effectively.
The Commission revealed that AliExpress failed to properly assess these risks, exposing systemic failures in content moderation. They note a consistent pattern of traders selling illegal goods without enforcement action.
Areas of compliance and improvement
Despite its shortcomings, the Commission said AliExpress has made progress in several areas:
- Health & Safety Monitoring – introduced better checks for potentially harmful products.
- Illegal Goods Notification – improved alert systems for illicit listings.
- Complaint Handling – enhanced internal processes to address consumer concerns.
- Transparency Measures – made advertising systems clearer and traceable.
- Trader Traceability – strengthened identification of sellers.
- Research Access – granted more data availability to independent researchers.
A Commission official noted these steps address the bulk of their concerns since the March 2024 probe began.
To prevent further issues, AliExpress agreed to:
- Implement a new internal monitoring framework.
- Submit regular reports to an independent Monitoring Trustee.
Crucially, the EU has turned these commitments into binding obligations. Any future breach could now result in formal fines.
Focus areas for change
AliExpress has pledged to take action on:
- Hidden links — preventing illegal goods from being concealed alongside legitimate items.
- Influencer verification — tightening checks on affiliate endorsements.
- Food supplements & medical product verification — ensuring only approved items are sold.
The EU’s finding of an AliExpress illegal product breach marks a critical test of the Digital Services Act. While AliExpress has made strides in compliance, its handling of systemic risks related to illegal goods remains a major concern.
With legally binding commitments now in place, the company faces potential fines if it fails to follow through.
