EU flags unsafe Temu and Shein fast‑fashion goods

European consumer organisations tested a range of clothing, accessories and toys sold on the ultra‑cheap platforms Temu and Shein. The tests found that roughly 70 % of the sampled items did not meet EU safety and chemical‑risk standards. Hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium, formaldehyde and phthalates were detected, raising concerns for children, pregnant women and people with skin sensitivities. Only one of 45 tested toys was fully compliant, while the majority showed risks of choking hazards or toxic exposure.

The findings prompted the European Union to tighten customs controls on low‑value e‑commerce parcels. New rules will require electronic traceability data for each shipment, allowing border authorities to screen for illegal chemical levels before products enter the market. The EU imports about 4.5 million tonnes of fast‑fashion textiles annually and receives roughly 5.8 million low‑price parcels daily. Consumer‑group BEUC’s chemical‑policy expert Pelle Moos warned that “about 200 products enter the EU every second” and that “rates of non‑compliance are astronomical, around 70‑80 %”. The data underscore the hidden health costs of ultra‑low‑price fashion and support tighter enforcement of REACH and other safety regulations.