Danish thrift stores face an uphill battle against products from the Chinese shopping platform Temu. Although they attempt to manage inventory, these stores struggle with the influx of Temu items, which can pose safety risks due to a lack of compliance with EU regulations.
Danish consumers find tempting deals on Temu, such as wireless glasses priced at just 45 kroner. However, concerns arise as sellers often do not contribute to the necessary waste disposal costs for discarded products. This situation places a financial burden on compliant local businesses.
Danish business organizations highlight the legal responsibilities of sellers. More than 70,000 tons of electronic waste end up in Danish recycling centers each year. Sellers are legally obligated to cover the costs associated with collection and management.
Hard to identify the unsafe products
Røde Kors, Denmark’s largest thrift store chain, emphasizes the challenges faced by their volunteers in identifying the origins of donated items. Tina Donnerborg, head of Røde Kors Genbrug, stated that it is very difficult for volunteers to sort and identify where every single item comes from. While they follow general guidelines and refuse items that smell of chemicals, it remains impossible to meticulously check if something was purchased from Temu.
In Viborg, Røde Kors Genbrug has implemented procedures to identify Temu products. Leif Jacobsen, head of the local branch, explained to Viborg Folkeblad, “We instruct our staff to sell only CE-marked toys. We have discarded a significant amount of non-CE-marked products.”
The Forbrugerrådet Tænk consumer protection group warns that CE markings can be misleading. Minister of Economic Affairs Morten Bødskov criticized the presence of dangerous products from platforms like Temu. As the Danish Safety Authority prepares to screen these platforms, Røde Kors urges consumers to avoid buying from Temu and consider recycling instead.
By doing so, consumers can help ensure safety and compliance in the marketplace.
Source: Avisen Danmark
