Italy Launches Investigation into Shein’s Website for ‘Greenwashing’ Claims

• Time: 2024-09-25 21:46
• News Citation: Interview, Reuters
• Author: Zhang Yahan

Italy’s antitrust agency has opened an investigation into a Dublin-based company that operates the Italian website of online clothing retailer Shein over potentially misleading environmental claims.

The investigation targets Infinite Style Services Ltd., accusing it of trying to “generate, obscure, mislead and/or confuse its clothes through unsustainable images of production and business.”

Italian authorities said that some information on the Shein clothing series “EvoluShein” claimed to be sustainable, which could mislead consumers about the amount of environmentally friendly fibers used, and also failed to inform consumers that the clothes could no longer be recycled.

Italian authorities also said that Shein’s website emphasizes a commitment to decarbonization, which appeared to contradict Shein’s 2022 and 2023 sustainability reports. The report shows that greenhouse gas emissions from Shein-related products have increased.

Shein was founded in China and is known for cheap, fast-fashion clothing. The company’s treatment of workers and environmental record have come under greater scrutiny following earlier reports that it may be listed in London.

Under “anti-greenwashing” regulations that came into effect this year and will apply to all EU member states within two years, companies are not allowed to make vague environmental claims on their products without providing evidence.

Shein’s EMEA headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland and its global headquarters are in Singapore.

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