The European Parliament wants to see stronger action to protect European companies, jobs and consumers from unfair competition by non-EU countries.

In a resolution adopted today and initiated by the ECR Group, MEPs express growing concern that many products entering the EU market, particularly via online platforms, do not comply with the same safety, environmental and tax regulations as European businesses.

ECR MEP and Chair of the Committee on Petitions, Bogdan Rzońca, who authored the text, warned that the current situation is creating a structural imbalance to the detriment of European industry.

“Products that do not meet our standards are entering the EU market, often intended for the youngest children. We cannot accept a situation where European businesses complying with rigorous standards lose out to imports that circumvent the rules,” Rzońca said, speaking after the vote.

“We call on the European Commission to take concrete steps to restore fair competition. These include closing the duty-free exemption for low-value parcels under €150, strengthening customs controls, and ensuring more effective enforcement of EU product safety and environmental standards”, Rzońca added

The resolution stresses the importance of supporting European industry, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, by reducing administrative burdens and providing targeted support.

“The starting point for this resolution were petitions from Polish businesses: manufacturers of children’s goods and shoes – who warned us that unfair competition from third countries is destroying European companies, jobs and consumer safety”, said Rzońca.

The text also highlights the need to increase the responsibility of online platforms, including through the introduction of the concept of a “deemed importer”, ensuring that products sold into the EU market meet European rules regardless of their origin.

Rzońca said:

“The ECR Group’s objective is a level playing field based on the principle that the same rules apply for everyone operating in the European market.

“This is not about protectionism. It is about fairness. If European companies play by the rules, competitors from outside Europe must do the same.”

Recalling the lessons of recent crises, Rzońca added: “The COVID-19 pandemic showed that Europe must protect its own production, its strategic independence and its jobs.”

He concluded with a call for follow-up action: “I hope that this resolution will not remain merely a political declaration, but will mark the beginning of real measures to ensure fair competition and stronger protection for European businesses, workers and consumers.”

The resolution was adopted by a large majority, underlining broad political support for addressing distortions in the EU’s single market and ensuring that competition rules are effectively enforced.