Can We Trust in Shein Clothing Safety?
Shein clothing safety: The fast fashion retailer has taken the UK fashion scene by storm.
Consumers love its affordable prices, endless styles, and rapid delivery.
But beneath the hype, questions are mounting: Can we feel comfortable with Shein clothes safety?
This comprehensive article explores Shein’s material choices, safety standards, and controversies.
We dissect academic research, market data, and credible organisational reports for clarity.
Sustainability and Fast Fashion in the UK
Fashion sustainability is top-of-mind for UK shoppers in 2025.
Brands are adapting, moving towards eco-friendly fabrics and ethical supply chains (Mintel, 2025).
Keywords such as “eco-friendly fashion”, “sustainable materials”, “ethical clothing”, and “recycled fabrics” dominate search engines (Happy Time Blog, 2025).
Shoppers are choosing brands embracing transparency and environmental responsibility (Scarlet State, 2025).
Shein remains popular, but fast fashion’s environmental cost cannot be ignored.
What Materials Does Shein Use for their Clothing Production?
Shein’s catalogue features polyester, recycled polyester, viscose, and textile waste (SHEIN Group, 2025).
Recent brand initiatives show some commitment to sustainable sourcing.
Products from “evoluSHEIN by Design” use at least 30% preferred materials, such as recycled polyester and responsibly sourced viscose (SHEIN Group, 2025).
However, polyester remains Shein’s primary fibre.
Only 12.1% of recycled polyester in 2024 was textile-to-textile, a truly closed-loop method (SHEIN Group, 2025).
Sustainability progress is measured, but far from industry-leading.
Toxic Materials & Chemicals in Shein Clothing
Studies reveal that several Shein items contain hazardous chemicals.
A German consumer lab found phthalates, lead, formaldehyde, and other toxic substances in Shein garments (Cimmino, 2024; Repubblica, 2024).
These chemicals in SHEIN Clothing can cause:
- Skin irritation
- Allergies
- Endocrine disruption
- Neurological disorders
- Cancer risk (SkyTg24, 2024)
Products tested often exceeded the legal chemical limits set by the EU.
Phthalates, used to soften plastics, are linked with hormone disruption and fertility issues (Le Monde, 2024).
Lead and formaldehyde also pose significant risks, especially with long-term exposure.
What Do International Safety Investigations Say?
South Korean authorities regularly examine Shein and other fast fashion brands.
Recent tests found dangerously high levels of phthalates in some children’s products.
Shein shoes contained 428 times the legal limit of phthalates.
Bags and accessories tested up to 153 times the limit (Le Monde, 2024).
Authorities demanded removal of affected products.
Shein claims commitment to safety audits and promises swift removal of non-compliant items.
Even so, nearly half of all tested products since April 2024 contained toxic materials (Le Monde, 2024).
The European Union added Shein to a list of digital firms subject to stricter product safety rules in May 2024.
This move signals concern about unsafe items, especially those targeting minors.
Shein’s Response and Corporate Initiatives
Shein highlights its “evoluSHEIN by Design” initiative, seeking responsible sourcing and manufacturing.
Garments in this series must contain preferred, sustainable materials and comply with safety audits (SHEIN Group, 2025).
Shein works with international third-party testing agencies.
On discovery of "claims", Shein removes products temporarily pending investigation (Le Monde, 2024).
Despite this, transparency remains an issue.
Shein does not provide public access to all audit results.
Safety concerns persist, mainly due to the rapid production model and the complexity of digitised supply chains.
Sustainability: Fashion Industry’s New Standard
Eco-friendly fabrics are driving innovation in UK fashion.
Organic or fairtrade cotton, bamboo, hemp, recycled polyester—these materials reduce environmental impact (Airport Transfers Bristol, 2025).
Circular fashion models are gaining traction, extending the life of garments through repair, reuse, and upcycling.
British wool, biodegradable and renewable, is gaining attention for its low environmental impact and durability (Percival, 2025).
The UK industry now favours ethical production and renewable materials (Mintel, 2025).
Shein’s dominance in polyester and limited adoption of sustainable methods contrasts sharply with these market trends.
Clothing Safety: Legal Framework and Consumer Risks
The EU and UK have strict standards regarding chemical use and product safety.
Manufacturers must comply with limits on hazardous substances.
Items exceeding these chemical content limits face removal from the market.
Phthalates, a major concern, are banned or restricted in children’s clothing and accessories.
Lead and formaldehyde are also subject to tight control.
Shein clothing has low price points, high production speed, and complex sourcing contribute to safety lapses.
Consumers who order direct from global e-commerce may expose themselves to higher risk than those buying from regulated local retailers.
What Should Shoppers Do?
Consider these steps when shopping fast fashion:
- Check safety labels and certifications.
- Avoid items with strong chemical odours.
- Research brand transparency and materials.
- Prioritise garments made with organic or recycled fabrics.
- Wash new clothes before first use.
UK consumers should favour brands with robust safety records and visible sustainability commitment.Reports show a growing shift toward ethical choices in 2025
(Mintel, 2025)
.
Academic Insight: Fast Fashion’s Impact
Fast fashion’s “immaterial labour” drives rapid production but sidelines safety and sustainability (UNH, 2024).
Academic studies highlight efficiency over quality and consumer health.
Industry watchdogs urge greater transparency and accountability.
Brands must balance competitive pricing with ethical sourcing and compliance.
Conclusion
Are Shein clothes safe to wear?
Evidence points to significant risks with some products.
Hazardous chemicals, especially in children’s items, pose genuine health threats.
Shein’s transparency and safety initiatives signal progress—but gaps remain, especially against UK sustainability standards.
While not every Shein item is unsafe, consumers must shop with caution.
Demand for sustainable, safe fashion is rising in the UK.
Brands will need to adapt, prioritising safety, sustainability, and ethical production methods.
References
Airport Transfers Bristol. 2025. “Trends in Sustainable Fashion in the UK for 2025.” Available at: airporttransfersbristol.uk. (Airport Transfers Bristol, 2025)
Cimmino. 2024. “Toxic fabrics in Shein's clothes: what are the materials to avoid?” Available at: cimmino.com. (Cimmino, 2024)
Greenpeace. 2022. Sustainable Fashion Report. Available at: greenpeace.org. (Greenpeace, 2022)
Happy Time Blog. 2025. “Sustainable Fashion Trends for 2025.” Available at: happytimeblog.co.uk. (Happy Time Blog, 2025)
Lemonde. 2024. “Shein and Temu products found to contain high levels of toxic chemicals.” Available at: lemonde.fr. (Le Monde, 2024)
Mintel. 2025. UK Fashion and Sustainability Market Report. Available at: store.mintel.com. (Mintel, 2025)
Percival, F. 2025. “Sustainable Chic and Beyond: 2025's Biggest Fashion Trends.” Available at: florapercival.co.uk. (Percival, 2025)
Republica. 2024. “Shein vestiti toxici test tedescoco.” Available at: repubblica.it. (Repubblica, 2024)
Scarlet State. 2025. “Best Sustainable Fashion Brands.” Available at: scarletstate.co.uk. (Scarlet State, 2025)
SHEIN Group. 2025. “Source Responsible Products and Materials.” Available at: sheingroup.com. (SHEIN Group, 2025)
SkyTg24. 2024. “Shein tessuti toxics.” Available at: tg24.sky.it. (SkyTg24, 2024)
UNH Comm-entary. 2024. “SHEIN: How Immaterial Labor Fuels the Capitalist Fast Fashion.” Available at: scholars.unh.edu. (UNH, 2024)
Links
- https://store.mintel.com/report/uk-fashion-sustainability-market-report
- https://www.happytimeblog.co.uk/sustainable-fashion-trends-for-2025/
- https://scarletstate.co.uk/best-sustainable-fashion-brands-who-leads-ethical-and-eco-friendly-style-in
- https://airporttransfersbristol.uk/blogs/trends-in-sustainable-fashion-in-the-uk-for-2025/
- https://florapercival.co.uk/blogs/woolly-wisdom/sustainable-chic-and-beyond-2025-s-biggest-fashion-trends
- https://www.cimmino.com/en/toxic-fabrics-in-sheins-clothes-what-are-the-materials-to-avoid/
- https://www.sheingroup.com/our-impact/planet/sourcing-responsible-products-and-materials/
- https://ecoskills.academy/4-key-drivers-of-sustainable-fashion-in-2025/
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2024/05/28/seoul-government-finds-shein-products-contain-high-levels-of-toxic-chemicals_6672910_19.html
- https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1044&context=comm-entary
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/08/14/shein-and-temu-products-found-to-contain-high-levels-of-toxic-chemicals_6715032_4.html
