Global fast-fashion giant Shein has announced a significant increase in its product safety testing procedures in response to mounting pressure from the European Union. The move comes after EU officials raised concerns earlier this month regarding consumer rights violations, particularly in the area of product safety.
In a press release issued this week, Shein confirmed it plans to conduct 2.5 million product safety tests in 2025 — a 25% increase compared to the previous year. The company has earmarked $14 million USD for this effort and stated that it is collaborating with 15 internationally recognized testing agencies, including Bureau Veritas, Intertek, QIMA, SGS, and TÜV SÜD.
Cracking Down on Unsafe Products
While Shein has not disclosed the total number of products it offers, reports from the BBC estimate that the e-tailer lists approximately 600,000 different items daily. With such a massive and ever-changing inventory, product safety oversight has become a critical issue for both regulators and consumers.
To improve transparency and consistency, Shein now relies on an internal “Approved Fabrics Library” — a curated database of materials that have passed rigorous internal standards. Designers are only permitted to use fabrics from this approved list. Since April 2025, all materials used for children’s clothing must also pass additional chemical and flammability testing to ensure higher safety standards.
Regulatory Pressure from the EU
The enhanced safety protocols appear to be a direct response to findings published by the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, a regulatory arm of the European Commission. The group reported that Shein had violated multiple consumer protection laws and issued a formal call for the company to comply.
Should the violations continue, national watchdogs across EU member states have the authority to impose fines or legal penalties. Shein’s recent quality control announcement may be a strategic attempt to head off potential enforcement actions and restore public trust.
Looking Ahead
While Shein continues to face scrutiny over labor practices and environmental sustainability, this latest move marks a step toward aligning with international consumer protection standards. Whether the measures are sufficient to satisfy EU regulators remains to be seen.
Omarex Media will continue tracking developments in this story as Shein attempts to balance explosive global growth with increasing legal and ethical oversight.
