Two Consumer Product Safety commissioners are urging an investigation into whether e-commerce sites like Shein and Temu meet U.S. safety regulations.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, Commissioners Peter Feldman and Douglas Dziak emphasized the need for an inquiry into these foreign-owned platforms. This call comes after reports that “deadly baby and toddler products” are readily available for purchase on these sites. Shein and Temu were specifically mentioned as concerning examples.
USA TODAY was unable to identify any specific products from Temu or Shein linked to baby fatalities. Both companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The commissioners referenced a report by The Information from last month. The report highlighted that hazardous products for babies and toddlers, such as “padded crib bumpers,” which Congress banned in 2022 due to suffocation risks, are still available on these platforms.
The commissioners’ letter urged the Consumer Product Safety Commission to fulfill its role in “protecting consumers from items that pose an unreasonable risk of injury.” They called for an investigation into safety gaps with foreign firms.
Feldman and Dziak requested that the commission examine Chinese factories and vendors who send low-cost, direct-to-consumer shipments, often with “little or no U.S. presence.” The investigation should assess how to address potential gaps in sales that fall outside the commission’s oversight. They also stressed the need to understand enforcement challenges with foreign third-party sellers. “Where safety violations are discovered, we expect the commission to take enforcement actions,” they said.
The commissioners recommended that the commission clarify its expectations for these companies as it sets its priorities for 2025.
“We anticipate that this review will guide further actions needed to safeguard American consumers,” they concluded.
