consumer protection

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