The organization Framtiden i våre hender sees the decision as a significant breakthrough.
The enormous flows of goods from Temu and similar foreign e-commerce platforms threaten the environment, safety and working life. But we have finally achieved success – the government will investigate customs and control fees that will put a spoke in the wheel of Temu. This is a victory for everyone who is tired of environmentally harmful junk flowing uncontrolled into the country, says Tale Hungnes, leader of Framtiden i våre hender.
In addition to customs and control fees on low-value packages, the government will investigate a textile fee, with a view to inclusion in the state budget for 2028, as well as exemption from value added tax when selling used goods by November 1, 2027. Measures to make repair of electronics and household appliances cheaper are also being investigated, as well as regulations for e-commerce aimed at reducing the amount of returns.
Tale Hungnes believes that politics is now beginning to adapt to environmental requirements.
For years, we have said that it cannot be that a new t-shirt from the other side of the world is cheaper than repairing the one you already have. Now, politics is finally following suit. Harmful consumption should become more expensive, while second-hand and repair should become cheaper, says Hungnes.
The organization clarifies, however, that the decisions at present are orders for investigations and not completed reforms. At the same time, they warn that not enough is being done to achieve the climate goals, as the emissions gap, according to the government, has increased from 5.4 to 13.4 million tons in one year.
This happens at the same time as Temu is under scrutiny in Norway for other reasons. The company was recently reported to the Norwegian Consumer Authority, Forbrukertilsynet, by Framtiden i våre hender. The report concerns misleading marketing where Temu is accused of using AI-generated images of Norwegian stores and warehouses to give the impression of having a physical presence in the country, despite the company lacking offices and registration in Norway.
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