Is "Cheap Clothing" Really Cheap?—The SHEIN Chemical Issue Highlights the Invisible Risks of Fast Fashion

With just a few minutes of scrolling on a smartphone, you can buy trendy clothes at astonishingly low prices. Dresses, jackets, boots, children's clothing, accessories. Online fast fashion brands like SHEIN have become a part of everyday life, especially among younger generations, as "affordable fashion."

However, behind this "cheapness" and "speed," questions about safety are resurfacing.

According to reports from German media, the Bremen Environmental Institute, commissioned by the German Environmental Aid Association, tested clothing sold by SHEIN and found that 7 out of 18 items did not meet EU chemical standards. The concerns were about organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS and phthalate plasticizers containing DEHP.

What is particularly shocking is that products for children and teens were included. According to reports, a children's jacket contained PFAS-related chemicals at levels over 1,100 times the standard, and a teen jacket over 12,000 times. Additionally, women's lace-up boots were found to contain 179,000 milligrams of DEHP per kilogram, compared to the allowable level of less than 1,000 milligrams, which is 179 times higher.

SHEIN has stated that they take the issue seriously and will remove the affected products from sales pages worldwide until the investigation is complete. They also plan to review similar products across their site. However, this issue is not just about "some products having defects." It raises the question of whether the business model, which designs, manufactures, and ships products worldwide at ultra-high speed, can keep up with safety checks.

What is PFAS?—The "Forever Chemicals" Used for Convenience

PFAS are sometimes used to make clothing resistant to water, oil, and dirt. They have been long used as materials to enhance functionality, especially in outdoor wear, waterproof products, and water-repellent jackets.

On the other hand, PFAS are difficult to break down in nature and tend to accumulate in humans and the environment, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals." Not all PFAS pose the same risks, but some have been suspected of affecting metabolism, hormones, the immune system, and even being carcinogenic.

The concern in the recent tests was the high levels of PFAS detected in clothing. Moreover, the products included those intended for children and young people. Children's clothing is in contact with the skin for long periods, and they sweat, touch their mouths and hands, and are washed repeatedly. This category requires more safety considerations than for adults.

The notion that "it's okay if the quality is somewhat poor because it's cheap" might apply to loose stitching or thin fabric. However, excessive detection of chemicals is a different issue. Consumers are buying cheap clothes, not signing up for health risks.

The Risks of DEHP Detection in Shoes and Synthetic Materials

A significant point in the recent reports is the high concentration of DEHP found in women's boots. DEHP is a type of phthalate plasticizer used to soften plastics. It is not unrelated to fashion products like shoes, bags, synthetic leather, printed materials, and vinyl.

Some phthalate plasticizers may have hormone-like effects, raising concerns about reproductive health impacts. While the EU is advancing regulations on such substances, it is difficult for consumers to see whether low-priced products sold through cross-border e-commerce always meet these standards.

Especially on platforms like SHEIN, where not only their products but also those from multiple sellers and suppliers are available, there may be gaps in management, as indicated by the recent test results. SHEIN claims to require suppliers to adhere to safety standards and collaborates with external testing agencies, but the results suggest possible oversight in some products.

Voices on Social Media: "Can't Buy Anymore" and "Scared of Children's Clothes"

When such news spreads, reactions on social media are divided.

Notable are the voices of anxiety and regret. On Reddit, posts from users who had purchased SHEIN clothing for themselves, their families, and their children expressed shock after reading articles about toxic chemicals. The posters understood the low cost and quality but did not consider them "toxic," leading them to dispose of their purchases, including children's clothing.

On X and Instagram, environmental groups and sustainable fashion accounts have highlighted SHEIN's chemical issues, urging people to "consider the background of cheapness" and stating that "it's serious when children's clothes contain substances exceeding standards." Some posts also call for caution against ultra-low-cost e-commerce as a whole, including Temu and AliExpress, citing past Greenpeace investigations and tests in Korea and Europe.

However, consumer reactions are not solely about boycotting. Some express practical views like "cheap clothes are helpful," "not all products are dangerous," and "even expensive brands aren't completely safe." With rising prices, many people have no choice but to rely on affordable clothing. Children grow quickly, and not all families can afford multiple trendy outfits.

This issue cannot be solely blamed on individual consumer morals. There are limits to what buyers can "be careful" about. What is needed are robust inspection systems by sellers, platform responsibility, monitoring during import and distribution, and mechanisms to swiftly remove products when violations occur.

"Is It Okay If I Wash It?"—A Common Question

Whenever such news emerges, the question "Will washing remove it?" also arises on social media. Washing new clothes before wearing them can be effective in removing dyes, finishing agents, and dirt from transport. However, if the problematic chemicals are embedded in the fibers, coatings, or synthetic materials themselves, washing alone may not ensure safety.

PFAS, in particular, are sometimes used to provide water-repellent and stain-resistant functions. In other words, they are integrated as a functional aspect of the fabric surface, differing in nature from dirt that can be washed away with water.

Practical measures consumers can take include being cautious with extremely cheap synthetic leather products, items with a strong chemical smell, children's clothing or underwear that directly touch the skin, shoes, and accessories. Checking seller information, material labels, safety marks, return policies, and inspection information is also important.

However, these are merely self-defense measures. It is almost impossible for consumers to determine the content of PFAS or phthalate plasticizers just by looking at product pages. This is why institutional inspections and information disclosure are essential.

The EU Is Increasing Surveillance on SHEIN

The recent test results coincide with the EU's intensified surveillance of SHEIN.

The European Commission, under the Digital Services Act, has requested SHEIN to provide information on the distribution of illegal products, the transparency of recommendation systems, and consumer protection risks. Furthermore, in February 2026, a formal investigation into SHEIN was launched, covering issues such as designs that induce dependence, the opacity of recommendation systems, and the sale of illegal products.

The key point is that the issue of chemicals in fashion is now being addressed not only as an "environmental issue" but also in the context of "online platform responsibility."

Traditionally, clothing safety has been primarily the concern of manufacturers and importers. However, in an era where giant e-commerce platforms distribute products globally at once, the operators providing the sales venues are also held accountable to some extent. Without mechanisms to detect, eliminate, and prevent the re-listing of illegal or dangerous products, the same issues will recur.

It's Not Just a SHEIN Problem

While the recent reports focus on SHEIN, the issue is common across low-cost e-commerce as a whole.

In the past, Greenpeace Germany investigated SHEIN clothing and announced that 18 out of 56 items contained hazardous chemicals exceeding EU standards. Additionally, a study by the Austrian Chamber of Labor and environmental groups pointed out that some clothing sold by Temu and SHEIN was at levels that could not be distributed in the EU. Seoul City in South Korea also announced that harmful substances were detected in children's products and clothing sold by SHEIN, Temu, and AliExpress.

These investigations are sample tests with a limited number of target products and do not conclude that all products are dangerous. However, the repeated findings of similar issues in tests by different countries and organizations cannot be overlooked.

The strength of fast fashion lies in its overwhelming speed and low prices. However, if that speed surpasses inspection, quality control, and supply chain audits, consumers unknowingly purchase risks.

Who Bears the Cost of "Cheapness"?

There is not just one reason why clothes become cheap. Mass production, efficient logistics, low advertising costs, demand forecasting through data analysis, and reduced inventory risks. Not all of these mechanisms are inherently bad.

However, if extreme low prices are achieved by reducing costs related to environmental impact, labor conditions, and chemical management, then that cheapness is not truly cheap. The costs not paid by consumers may be borne by the environment, workers, and future health risks.

The voices on social media saying "we shouldn't blame people for buying cheap clothes" are correct. Amid rising prices, not everyone can choose high-priced brands. The issue lies not with consumers buying cheap clothes but with the structure that allows products to be distributed in large quantities without sufficient safety verification.

At the same time, consumers have choices they can make. Reduce impulse buying. Be cautious when selecting items that come into direct contact with the skin or children's products. Choose clothes that can be worn for a long time. Utilize second-hand or reuse options. When the product arrives, check the smell, material labels, stitching, and seller information. Avoid using suspicious items.

Each action may be small, but changes in demand communicate with companies. Criticism and voices of concern on social media function not just as mere outrage but as pressure on companies and regulatory authorities.

The Question Is Not About the Clothes Themselves, but "Trust"

SHEIN has become a massive fashion platform used worldwide. It has provided a space for young people to enjoy trends and express themselves on a budget. That's why the recent test results are significant.

When consumers buy clothes online, they can't touch the actual product. They can't smell it. They can't see the manufacturing process. The only things they can trust are the information on the product page, reviews, and the platform's management system.

If that trust is shaken, the appeal of "cheap and cute" quickly turns into anxiety. Reports of chemical substances exceeding standards found in children's clothes, shoes, and products that touch the skin are something consumers cannot overlook.

For SHEIN to truly regain trust, merely temporarily removing problematic products is not enough. They need to transparently explain what inspections they conduct, how they detect violating products, what responsibilities they impose on suppliers, and how they guarantee prevention of recurrence.

Regulatory authorities also need a monitoring system suited to the era of cross-border e-commerce. If inspections and law enforcement cannot keep up with the speed at which products cross borders, the same issues will repeat with different products, sellers, and platforms.

"Cheap clothes" have made our lives more convenient. However, if that convenience leaves safety behind, it is time for a reassessment. The recent SHEIN clothing inspection reveals structural challenges faced by fast fashion and cross-border e-commerce, not just a scandal of a single company.

Source URL

SHEIN Clothing Chemical Test Results, DUH's Indications, SHEIN's Response, Overview of EU Investigation
https://www.fehmarn24.de/wirtschaft/labor-manche-kleidung-bei-shein-mit-chemikalien-belastet-zr-94373241.html

European Commission: Announcement on the Launch of a Formal Investigation into SHEIN under the Digital Services Act
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-launches-investigation-shein-under-digital-services-act

European Commission: Request for Information from SHEIN on Illegal Products and Its Recommender System
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-requests-information-shein-illegal-products-and-its-recommender-system

Greenpeace EU: Report on Hazardous Chemicals in SHEIN Clothing Continuing to Violate EU Limits
https://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/issues/pollution/47807/new-report-hazardous-chemicals-in-shein-clothing-continue-to-violate-eu-limits/

Greenpeace Japan: Explanation of Environmental and Health Risks of Ultra-Fast Fashion Including SHEIN
https://www.greenpeace.org/japan/news/story_60506/

German Federal Environment Agency: Basic Information on the Nature, Environmental, and Health Impacts of PFAS
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/

Reddit: Examples of Consumer and Parent Reactions to Reports on Toxic Chemicals in SHEIN Clothing
https://www.reddit.com/r/Parenting/comments/1jvk0w1/i_found_out_shein_clothes_contain_toxic_chemicals/

Austrian Chamber of Labor: Chemical Test Results on Low-Cost Clothing from Temu and SHEIN
https://ooe.arbeiterkammer.at/service/presse/Giftige-Chemikalien-in-Billigmode-von-Temu-Shein.html