This article has been updated since publication to include a comment from Shein.
Global fast-fashion brand Shein U.S. Services LLC Corporation and its affiliates are being investigated by Attorney General Ken Paxton for possible violations of Texas law concerning unethical labor practices and unsafe products.
Although Shein promotes itself as a responsible and innovative retailer, concerns have been reported about its reliance on forced labor, use of unsafe products, and deceptive marketing practices.
Paxton said in a statement that non-toxic products are central to the Make America Healthy Again movement and that companies who cut corners on labor standards or product safety will be held accountable.
“Texans deserve to know that the companies they buy from are ethical, safe, transparent, and not exploiting workers or selling harmful products,” said Paxton. “I will not allow cheap, dangerous, foreign goods to flood America and jeopardize our health.”
Founded in China in 2012, Shein is “a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer with a mission to make the beauty of fashion accessible to all,” according to its website. The company generated over $30 billion in 2023 and operates primarily online.
A study conducted by Greenpeace revealed that many of Shein’s products contain hazardous chemicals above the European Union’s regulatory limits.
In a follow-up investigation to verify findings from a 2022 study that found high levels of hazardous chemicals, Greenpeace purchased 56 products from Shein and tested them for hazardous substances. The results confirmed previous findings, showing that 32 percent of the 56 products tested—including products intended for children—contained extremely high levels of hazardous chemicals.
Some of the chemicals discovered in the recent investigation include phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, heavy metals, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and formaldehyde. These chemicals have been linked to several negative effects such as impaired fertility and child development, damage to the nervous system, and cancer.
In January 2025, Shein announced that it conducted over two million product safety tests in 2024 to ensure its high standards for product quality and consumer safety. It also reported more than $15 million in funding would be invested to help strengthen its product safety and compliance protocols in 2025.
“SHEIN has built and implemented a multi-faceted product safety protocol to ensure product compliance with applicable laws and regulations, as well as to SHEIN’s own standards of product safety,” reads the announcement on the company’s website.
Paxton’s investigation will also explore Shein’s data-collecting and privacy practices.
A Shein spokesperson told Texas Scorecard, “We are aware of the announcement from the Texas Attorney General. SHEIN takes these concerns seriously and is fully committed to cooperating. Our mission – to provide affordable, fashionable products to customers around the world – is underpinned by a dedication to safety, compliance, and respect for human rights. We strive to operate responsibly across every area of our business, implementing policies designed to protect both our shoppers and those we work with. We welcome constructive engagement with Attorney General Paxton.”
