Shein Children's Products Found Containing Forever Chemicals as Chinese Fashion Brand Faces Scrutiny Ahead of London Listing

By Giuliano De Leon

May 28, 2024 05:57 PM EDT

Chinese fashion brand Shein is in a lot of trouble. First, it faces scrutiny ahead of a possible London listing. Researchers claim that its children's products contain high levels of toxic chemicals, specifically forever chemicals.

This picture shows signage of cross-border fast fashion e-commerce company SHEIN at a garment factory in Guangzhou, in China's southern Guangdong province on July 18, 2022.
(Photo : JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images)

Shein Children's Products Found Containing Forever Chemicals

The Daily Mail UK reported that Shein's children's products allegedly contain high levels of forever chemicals: a class of manmade chemicals known as "PFAS," which are extremely persistent and could last thousands of years.

South Korean officials did the testing. They discovered that bags, belts, clothes, and other items sold to children contain over 400 times the safe level of forever chemicals.

This is a big deal for the United States since statistics showed that Shein ships around 1 million packages daily to the US. For those who are unaware, forever chemicals can cause cancer and autism.

If children are highly exposed to forever chemicals, their health could be jeopardized. However, Shein told the SoKor officials that conducted the random tests that it takes product safety very seriously, claiming that it has performed over 400,000 chemical safety tests since 2023.

Shein Scrutinized Ahead of London Listing

According to The South China Morning Post, Shein is scrutinized ahead of a potential London listing. Right now, the Chinese fashion firm is preparing for a London listing.

However, British lawmakers and parliamentary committee chairs question its suitability for a London stock market listing. US lawmakers criticize the company over alleged labor malpractices, the use of an import tax exemption, and lawsuits filed by its competitors.

Although the UK wants to attract more listings after losing some big-name flotations to other financial hubs, Conservative Chair of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Alicia Kearns said Britain should not allow Shein to have a London listing.

"With Shein's prices so low, the London Stock Exchange needs to ask itself whose suffering is subsiding those prices," she argued.