Simultaneously Wikipedia says the Act has "entered into force" in 2024. Does anyone know the difference between "enters into force" and "applies"? Is it like this 2016–2018 grace period for GDPR where it was "law" but not enforced? (The wording sounds backwards if it's that, but I'm not a native speaker)
but also this is one of those cases where, ok you have a law, but, that's meaningless. It's not enforceable. It's not even monitorable. It's nice in theory to write down a bunch of regulations but at best you can make a bunch of EU companies do some paperwork. anything imported from outside the EU, the company can agree to everything and then dissapear. ALl the direct to consumer slop on amazon and whatever. How is the EU supposed to enforce a law against a random fly by night brand name in Shenzhen?
From https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/news/report-highlights...
> As volumes rise, enforcement is weakening. In 2025, the EU control rate fell to 65 items per million items imported. The rate of goods ultimately refused at the border due to non-compliance or because they posed serious risks, also fell to below 10 items per million.
> A large-scale customs investigation launched by the Commission in 2025 highlights the scale of the problem. Over 60% of checked toys, small electronics, cosmetics, personal protective equipment and food supplements bought online from outside the EU failed to meet EU product compliance and safety requirements.
It's just regulation theater. It's meaningless.