Toxic chemicals found in Shein clothes

680 percent above the maximum allowed! A winter boot ordered from the online seller Shein got dirty. This illustrates a study by Greenpeace. The substances found (phthalates) are so-called endocrine disruptors, that is, they disrupt the hormonal balance and can impair fertility.

Chinese fashion retailer Shein mainly targets a young audience with its low prices and impressive advertisements, and sells its products in Switzerland as well.

Greenpeace Germany purchased 42 items, including clothing and shoes for men, women, children and babies, from Shein websites in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy and Spain, and five items from a pop-up store in Munich. The products were sent to the independent laboratory BUI in Germany for chemical analysis.

Toxic shoes and girl costume

According to Greenpeace Germany, seven out of 42 products purchased contain more pollutants than are permitted in the EU. Most shoes, also a colorful costume for girls. 130 mg/kg of formaldehyde was found in the purple tulle of the dress, significantly exceeding legal requirements.

Europe has strict limits for a range of hazardous materials in clothing, accessories and footwear. These are specified in the EU chemicals regulation Reach. The regulations on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals apply to all products sold in Europe.

But Greenpeace writes that at least one chemical was quantified in 45 of the 47 products tested, albeit mostly at relatively low levels.

“Unless current regulations are enforced, the reality is that companies are exploiting these loopholes at the expense of people and the environment. That’s why we need binding, strict and controlled regulations,” the environmental organization demands.

one truck per second

Chemicals are found in clothing in sometimes higher, sometimes lower concentrations. But workers are completely exposed to them during production. Chemicals also harm the environment and local communities when released into the air or wastewater.

Shein puts 6,000 to 9,000 new pieces on his website every day. Since many fast fashion products are produced for single use, they are thrown away in a short time.

Unsold or returned goods are often routinely destroyed. According to Greenpeace, a truckload of textile waste is incinerated or sent to landfill every second around the world.

Aim for pocket money

The Chinese online retailer is bombarding young people with glamorous products on social media platforms like Tiktok and Instagram at very low prices that fit their pocket money budgets.

The group is supported by influencers. They can be rewarded with free items and other benefits for their referrals.

Manipulative online shopping

Research out of Switzerland also blames the fast fashion giant: the Fédération romande des consommateurs (FRC) and the NGO Public Eye show how strongly Swiss shoppers are exposed to so-called “dark patterns” when shopping online for fashion. There are manipulative elements used on websites to influence purchasing behavior.

Such “dark patterns” were found in 15 of the shops examined. Shein takes the top spot with 18 out of 20 dark patterns studied.