SHEIN Clothing Tests Reveal High Levels of Harmful Chemicals, Austrian Trade Association warns
Vienna, Austria - Recent testing by Greenpeace in Austria and seven other European countries has revealed concerning levels of hazardous chemicals in clothing purchased from the online retailer SHEIN. According to a press release from the Austrian trade association HVB, one-third of 56 SHEIN items tested exceeded legally permissible limits under the EU’s REACH chemicals regulation.
Greenpeace Austria specifically tested nine SHEIN products for PFAS - often referred to as “forever chemicals” - and found PFAS present at levels up to 600 times higher than EU limits in seven of those products.
“The test orders from Greenpeace once again demonstrate a significant burden of banned, and sometimes carcinogenic, chemicals in SHEIN products,” stated Rainer Will, executive director of the HVB. “This isn’t a case of isolated incidents, but a consistent pattern of chemical contamination. Consumers who purchase clothing from this low-cost Chinese platform are potentially risking their health.”
The HVB highlighted the disparity in obligation between SHEIN and domestic retailers. While Austrian businesses are subject to rigorous oversight, including regular inspections from authorities like the Market Office and full accountability for product safety (including CE marking), SHEIN delivers an estimated 100 million packages annually to Austria with no equivalent responsibility.
“It’s unacceptable that SHEIN hasn’t been blocked in the EU already,” Will argued. “If an Austrian retailer sold harmful, counterfeit products, they would face immediate closure. We need legal parity – anyone selling in Europe must adhere to our regulations.”
The trade association is urging immediate action,calling for platform liability for accurate product declarations and,as a temporary measure,the blocking of SHEIN within the EU until compliance is ensured. “Austria must take national steps due to the imminent danger. We don’t want any poison packages under the Christmas tree,” Will emphasized.
The HVB is also directly advising consumers to avoid purchasing gifts from platforms like SHEIN, citing potential serious health consequences.
Source: OTS Original Text Press Release – HVB – www.ots.at
