To ensure the quality of goods from marketplaces like Temu, conduct random quality checks and safety analyses that ensure the merchandise complies with applicable EU standards. Since you, as an importer in the EU, are liable to end consumers and authorities for product safety, a mere inspection of the external appearance is not sufficient. The first practical step is to identify the relevant directives for your product, followed by a physical inspection of the delivered goods through an independent, documented process. Never rely solely on certificates or documents from manufacturers on third-party platforms, as their validity and relevance to the actually delivered batch are often difficult to ascertain.
This chain of checks also determines your sales release: Only when material, labeling, and documentation demonstrably match should a batch actually go on sale. Consistently adhering to this connection also reduces the risk of returns, as faulty or mislabeled items are sorted out before shipment to end customers, rather than being noticed only after complaints.
Steps to Quality Assurance
- Legal Classification: Clarify in advance which EU regulations apply to your product group, such as the CE marking requirement or the REACH regulation for chemicals. The Product Liability Act (ProdHaftG) makes you, as the market placer, liable if a product defect causes damage [1].
- Sampling: Upon arrival of the goods at your warehouse, take representative samples from different parts of the batch. A visual inspection should cover workmanship, material quality, and labeling, including manufacturer's address and warning labels in German.
- Documentation: Create a complete record of each inspected item, including date, inspection method, and result. This record serves as proof of your due diligence if an authority questions your inspection practices afterward.
- Conformity Verification: Check whether the declarations of conformity provided by the manufacturer are plausible, complete, and related to the specific delivery. Discrepancies between the product and documentation are a clear warning sign and should halt the release.
- Structured Inspection: Use standardized procedures, as defined in our Inspection Procedure, to ensure no critical point is overlooked in the product quality assessment.
- Release Decision: Only release a batch for sale after all preceding inspection points have been completed and documented. Also, record this decision in writing to ensure the traceability of your due diligence.
Common Mistakes
- Blind Trust: Many traders rely on certificates provided by trading platforms. In practice, these are often copies or documents unrelated to the specific batch delivered.
- Missing Labeling: A frequent reason for official sales stops is the lack of the required contact address of the importer or manufacturer on the product or packaging – mandatory by current law.
- Neglecting REACH Conformity: Products from the Far East occasionally contain hazardous substances in concentrations that are prohibited in the EU. Without your own inspection, you bear the full risk for subsequent recalls.
- Insufficient Documentation: Those who do not document their inspection steps in writing cannot prove their due diligence in case of damage. The Product Liability Act sets strict requirements for evidence [1].
Legal Background
The Product Liability Act stipulates that the manufacturer of a product is liable for damages caused by a product defect. If a trader imports goods from non-EU countries, they are legally considered the manufacturer [1]. This means you are fully responsible for the safety of the products, regardless of who originally produced them. An independent assessment of the goods, such as conducted by HANSE-CERT according to the 25-Point Hanse Standard, helps to identify sources of error early on and make your business risk situation transparent. To sustainably secure your imports, you should commission a qualified inspection of your goods and directly order a product test.