Controversy arises in a week in which the brand opened its first physical store, in Paris
French Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, announced this Wednesday that the country’s authorities will “suspend” the world-renowned platform for selling Shein products until the Chinese company complies with the legislation.
“On instructions from the Prime Minister, the government is initiating a procedure to suspend Shein for the time necessary for the platform to demonstrate to public authorities that all its content is finally in compliance with our laws and regulations”, said Lecornu’s office, adding that “an initial analysis will be carried out by ministers in the next 48 hours”.
The decision comes after the company was reported for allegedly having a childish appearance. The discovery was made at the end of October, when French authorities identified advertisements in the Shein online store that featured sex dolls with childlike characteristics. The infraction led the General Directorate for Competition, Consumerism and Fraud Repression (DGCCRF) in France to notify the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which decided.
The controversy comes in a week in which the brand opened its first physical store, in Paris. Several protesters gathered outside the store, distributing red leaflets denouncing “suspected forced labor”, “pollution” and “overproduction”, also encouraging people to sign a petition against the brand’s presence in the French capital.
Founded in China, Shein has been accused of violating labor and environmental standards, with its “ultra-fast fashion” model criticized by trade unions, politicians and major clothing brands. With the measure announced by Lecornu, Shein now faces the harshest European reaction to date.
