According to The Street , Shein, the popular online fast-fashion retailer, is facing scrutiny from authorities in Seoul, South Korea, after toxic chemicals were discovered in many of its products, including items designed for children. In a recent inspection of 93 Shein products, South Korean authorities found that half contained harmful substances, with eight products — including children’s shoes, a belt, and leather bags — showing alarmingly high levels of phthalates. Phthalates are synthetic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin, and exposure to them may disrupt hormones and even increase the risk of cancer. One pair of shoes was found to contain 428 times the permissible level of phthalates, while three leather bags contained 153 times the safe limit.
In response, Seoul authorities have urged Shein to remove these hazardous products from the market. Park Sang-jin, a city official, confirmed to AFP that the city has requested Shein to take action on the offending items.
Shein responded to the allegations with a statement expressing its commitment to product safety. “Upon learning of any claims against our products, we immediately remove the product(s) from our site as a precaution while we investigate,” the company said. “If non-compliance is confirmed, we will take appropriate action against the supplier involved.”
This isn’t the first time Shein has been flagged for toxic chemicals. In 2022, a Greenpeace report found that seven out of 47 Shein products tested had hazardous chemicals that exceeded European Union regulatory limits. One such product, a baby girl’s dress, contained formaldehyde, a colorless and highly toxic chemical that can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and cancer at high exposure levels.
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Greenpeace’s findings criticized Shein for its apparent disregard for the environmental and health risks posed by these chemicals in the pursuit of profit. The report also noted that Shein, headquartered in Nanjing, China, was violating EU chemical regulations, putting both consumers and workers at risk.
As Shein continues to expand, the company is preparing for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO). In November of last year, Shein quietly filed for an IPO with a reported valuation of approximately $66 billion.
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