A recent European operation revealed that many products sold in online stores outside the European Union (EU) do not meet the required safety standards. Cosmetics, personal protective equipment and dietary supplements were subject to detailed analysis, displaying frequent failures that can put consumers at risk.
Large-scale European control
Between October and December 2025, more than 11,300 products purchased online and shipped directly to European consumers were tested.
The action involved customs authorities, market surveillance entities and food safety bodies from 27 Member States.
In Portugal, Infarmed participated in the operation, according to the SIC website. The initiative was coordinated by the European Commission, which supervised all procedures and analyses.
Featured cosmetics
Around 6,000 of the products analyzed were cosmetics, including creams, buildup, toothpaste and hair and nail products.
According to the website, 65% of these products did not meet EU requirements. Among the most common failures were incorrect or non-existent labeling, lack of mandatory documentation and even the presence of prohibited ingredients.
The European Commission revealed that the majority of non-compliant products originated outside the EU, especially in China, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Infarmed highlights that the accelerated growth of e-commerce has significantly increased the number of orders entering the European market, reinforcing the necessary for these controls.
Protective equipment and dietary supplements also under surveillance
Not only cosmetics presented non-compliances. Personal protective equipment and dietary supplements also revealed relevant flaws, according to the same source.
These products can pose direct risks to the health of consumers and, at the same time, create inequality for companies that fully comply with European standards.
Continuous surveillance to protect consumers
The operation highlights the importance of cooperation between Member States. Controls are essential to ensure that only safe products circulate in the European single market.
Infarmed ensures that it will continue to participate in surveillance actions and monitor the national market, according to the same source, ensuring that products purchased outside the EU do not pose unexpected risks to consumers.
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