The Finnish government, led by Minister of Labor Matias Marttinen, has announced its intention to address the increasing phenomenon of discount online shopping, commonly referred to as 'temuttaminen'. During a press conference, Marttinen revealed that a working group would conduct an investigation that aims to reform legislation to help tackle this issue effectively. The report, which was presented to Marttinen and Minister of the Environment and Climate Sari Multala, outlines the dramatic growth of low-value imports into Finland, particularly from China, amounting to 40.5 million packages last year.

According to the report, the average value of these shipments is approximately 5.50 euros, and a significant concern arises from safety, as 84% of tested products were found to be potentially dangerous during a European Commission inspection operation. The report emphasizes that these low-cost products pose serious risks to public health, the environment, consumer protection, and the competitiveness of compliant businesses. The government is thus taking serious steps to mitigate the adverse effects of such imports which have surged alarmingly in recent years.

The implications of the working group’s findings could be far-reaching, as the proposed legislative changes aim to enhance consumer safety and level the playing field for local businesses facing unfair competition from these discount imports. This initiative underscores a recognition of the global challenges posed by e-commerce and the necessity for governments to act decisively in protecting their citizens and local economies from the adverse effects of unregulated or low-regulated international commerce.