The European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC) has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to fine the online marketplace Temu €200 million under the #DigitalServicesAct (DSA), and has responded to renewed warnings from the Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) over hazardous substances, including carcinogens found in non-compliant natural rubber latex balloons, sold through platforms based outside the EU. EBPC’s message is simple: not all balloons are the same.

 

The Commission found that Temu failed to diligently identify and assess the systemic risk of illegal and unsafe products reaching EU consumers. Its investigation, which drew on a mystery-shopping exercise and information from customs and market surveillance authorities, found that a high percentage of tested baby toys posed safety risks of medium-to-high severity, containing chemicals above legal limits or presenting choking hazards from detachable parts, while many chargers failed basic safety tests. The decision, reported in Sweden by Aftonbladet and across European media, gives Temu until 28 August 2026 to submit a corrective action plan, with further periodic penalties possible if it fails to comply.

 

Speaking to Aftonbladet, a Swedish Chemicals Agency inspector noted that authorities repeatedly find products from non-EU e-commerce platforms that fail EU standards yet still reach consumers, citing carcinogenic substances detected in non-compliant natural rubber latex balloons among the recurring problems. EBPC welcomes regulators drawing attention to this issue and stresses that it reflects how certain products are sourced and sold for quick profit, disregarding the safety measures put in place for EU Citizens.

 

“This is exactly the problem we have been raising for years,” said the EBPC Director General.

“Not all balloons are the same. Reputable European manufacturers invest millions in high quality raw materials, compliance, and safety testing, and abide by strict harmonised EU standards such as EN 71-12, which sets out chemical testing for nitrosamines in latex balloons. When a balloon is made and sold to those standards, it is safe. The danger comes from non-compliant products that bypass the rules entirely by using online marketplaces, and this fine confirms what consumer testing and regulators have shown repeatedly: the rules work. What has been missing is #MarketEnforcement.”

 

A Cross-Industry Problem That Demands Action

 

These findings reflect a challenge that extends far beyond any single product category. As the Swedish Chemicals Agency has warned, millions of parcels arrive from outside the EU every day, and non-compliant products often simply reappear under a new article number once flagged. In a recent joint statement co-signed by EBPC and 70 environmental, consumer, retail, and industry organisations, the signatories called on the European Commission to urgently strengthen online marketplace accountability.

 

Key concerns raised in the statement include:

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• Online marketplaces are not recognised as economic operators and therefore face no proactive legal duty to ensure product compliance.

• Over 4.6 billion small parcels enter the EU each year, many from sellers who avoid EU #ProductSafety, chemical and environmental rules.

• Mystery shopper exercises across sectors show widespread non-compliance, including an 80% failure rate for toys purchased from third-party marketplace sellers.

 

“This is a structural enforcement gap, not an isolated failure,” EBPC added. “Today’s fine is a milestone, but a single penalty does not fix the system. Until marketplaces are consistently held responsible for what they sell, unsafe and illegal products will keep reaching European consumers - and the families who trust these unregulated online platforms.”

 

EBPC emphasised that its members follow strict requirements under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and EN 71 standards - including EN 71-12 chemical testing for nitrosamines. Members also undergo independent audits, invest in high quality raw materials, and ensure full traceability.

 

A list of reputable, compliant balloon manufacturers operating in Europe can be found at:

www.ebpcouncil.eu

 

Practical Guidance for Consumers

 

Echoing the advice of national regulators, EBPC encourages consumers to protect themselves and their families by:

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• buying from reputable retailers and traceable sellers, ideally within the EU, where products are subject to robust safety, chemical and environmental rules;

• checking that products carry correct CE marking, age warnings and safe-use instructions before purchase; and

• inflating balloons with a pump rather than by mouth, never letting children put balloons in their mouths, and keeping uninflated or burst balloons away from children under eight, who face a choking risk. Children under the age of 8 should always be supervised around balloons.

• always use balloons responsibly – as per EBPC guidance.

 

Call for Policy Reform

 

EBPC is urging EU policymakers to build on this decision with stronger measures, including:

• recognising marketplaces as economic operators with direct responsibility for product safety,

• requiring an EU-based responsible person for every product sold to EU consumers,

• strengthening customs controls for the billions of small parcels entering the EU, and

• ensuring uniform, proactive enforcement of product safety, environmental and chemical rules.

 

“Consumers deserve safe products, and parents deserve confidence that what they buy for their children meets EU law. Responsible manufacturers deserve a level playing field.
This decision shows that enforcement is possible - now it must become the norm, not the exception. The time for action is now.”

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#ConsumerProtection #Temu #BalloonSafety #EUCommission

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Suteesh Chumber

Director General - EBPC