General20:03 · 1h ago

Shein Pulls Products Globally After Tests Reveal Dangerous Chemical Levels

Kikar HaShabbatReligious

Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba

Key points

01Shein removed multiple clothing items globally due to hazardous chemical levels found in lab tests.
02Seven out of 18 tested items exceeded European safety standards, including extreme PFAS and phthalate concentrations.
03A children's jacket had PFAS levels 1,100 times above the legal limit; a teen jacket exceeded it by over 12,000 times.
04DUH issued a formal warning to Shein and notified the European Commission of the violations.
05Shein faces regulatory probes in Europe and lawsuits in the US amid growing scrutiny of fast fashion safety.
06New EU customs rules from 2026 may impact Shein's low-price business model, with calls for stricter industry oversight.

In this story

OrganizationsShein, Deutsche Umwelthilfe, European Commission, Stiftung Warentest, Greenpeace

PlacesEurope, Germany, France, United States, Texas

The story · English

Online fashion giant Shein has removed several clothing items from its global sales platform following independent lab tests that revealed dangerously high levels of harmful chemicals. The tests, conducted for the German environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), found that out of 18 clothing items tested, seven violated European safety regulations. The most alarming findings involved PFAS, known as "forever chemicals" due to their environmental persistence. One children's jacket contained PFAS levels 1,100 times above the legal limit, while a teen jacket exceeded the limit by over 12,000 times.

Additionally, excessive concentrations of phthalates, plasticizers linked to hormonal damage, were detected. A pair of women's boots contained DEHP at 179,000 mg/kg, nearly 179 times the EU legal limit. DUH sent Shein a formal warning demanding immediate product removal and notified the European Commission of the findings. Shein responded by temporarily removing the items and conducting further internal testing, emphasizing supplier compliance with international safety standards.

This incident adds to ongoing regulatory pressure on Shein, which faces investigations and penalties worldwide. The European Commission has launched a formal probe under the Digital Services Act, France fined Shein approximately 22 million euros, and a lawsuit was filed in Texas over toxic materials and other violations. Previous tests by organizations like Stiftung Warentest and Greenpeace also found high failure rates in Shein products and similar platforms.

DUH criticized Shein for creating unfair competition by selling unsafe products at low prices, calling for stricter oversight and greater manufacturer accountability in fast fashion. Upcoming European regulatory changes, including the removal of customs exemptions on packages under 150 euros from July 2026, could further challenge Shein's business model. Environmental groups advise consumers to exercise caution when purchasing very cheap items, especially children's clothing, cosmetics, and electronics.

Read the original at Kikar HaShabbat