AliExpress executives told European Union (EU) lawmakers that the platform is strengthening its controls to align with EU requirements, reported Reuters.
The assurance came as members of the European Parliament questioned the company about the sale of unsafe and counterfeit goods to consumers in the bloc.
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It also arrives as EU institutions increase oversight of rapidly expanding online marketplaces such as AliExpress, Temu and Shein.
Alibaba’s international government affairs head Eric Pelletier said the company has agreed to limit, by default, how visible products intended for adults are to users.
He told lawmakers: “At the same time we recognise we have much more work to do”, adding that: “We are actively engaging with the [European] Commission to address the outstanding issues, including preventing the reappearance of illegal listings, strengthening penalties and accelerating the closure of noncompliant sellers.”
EU lawmaker and the Digital Services Act’s lead rapporteur Christel Schaldemose signalled scepticism about whether the platform’s existing measures are effective, saying: “I will not be happy and I don’t believe in your systems until the day I see it has an impact.”
Schaldemose said her focus was both on consumer protection and on competitive conditions for businesses that follow EU rules.
“My main concern is, of course, safety, but I also think that it is an unfair competition towards the companies that are complying with the rules we have in the EU,” she was quoted as saying.
Separately, the EU is preparing changes to how small parcels entering the bloc are treated.
The number of low-value e-commerce parcels delivered into the EU rose 26% last year to 5.8 billion.
The bloc intends to introduce fees on these shipments as part of efforts to address competitive imbalances with domestic retailers.
From 1 July 2026, parcels valued below €150 ($173.7) are due to lose their exemption from customs duties.
A flat €3 customs duty will instead apply per item category within a shipment.
