Dangerous Chemicals Discovered in Shein Items, Greenpeace Says

A new Greenpeace investigation has found that clothing sold by major fast-fashion retailer Shein contains dangerous chemicals that violate European Union safety regulations, intensifying global scrutiny of the company’s manufacturing practices.

After testing 56 Shein items, Greenpeace Germany reported that 18 of them exceeded EU REACH limits—some by alarming margins—including a children’s mermaid costume with unsafe levels of formaldehyde and adult jackets containing high concentrations of phthalates linked to serious health risks.

The group warns that these chemicals not only affect workers in production countries, but also expose consumers through skin contact and pollute waterways when garments are washed or discarded.

Shein said it will remove identifiable items as a precaution while it investigates the findings. The controversy comes amid growing EU efforts to regulate foreign e-commerce platforms and enforce safety standards, including proposals to scrap duty exemptions and tighten product oversight following multiple incidents involving Shein and similar companies.