There is a growing number of tests and reports proving that clothes sold by some Chinese giants, including Shein, contain high levels of toxic substances.
Recently, the German newspaper “Oko-Test” conducted analyzes that revealed traces of lead and cadmium, toxic antimony and dimethylformamide in some clothes. Tests also found that some shoes contained very high levels of phthalates (15 times higher than the limit of the European REACH directive).
These are potentially harmful substances to those who wear them, can cause skin diseases, affect fertility and health.
Even the tests on the resistance of the products, especially the shoes, left something to be desired: Oko-Test always reports that “a pair of women’s leopard slippers lasted only 14 thousand steps before breaking.”
This is a dangerous threat to the health of consumers, especially with reference to the chemicals contained in the clothes, and we ask the Italian and European authorities to clarify.
Federconsumatori has been working with the Textile and Health Association for a long time to protect the safety of consumers: on further investigation, it became clear that there is an exponential increase in the volume of these goods arriving on board cargo planes in Europe every day, with noticeable consequences. it also applies to the environment. Checks on these items are done on a random basis, and companies often choose to offload items where checks may be less stringent.
After the goods arrive in Italy, there are many doubts and gaps in the matter, so we ask the Ministry of Health for clarifications and appropriate security interventions. In particular, we would like to know:
- If there is a systematic control of hazardous substances in the textile sector in Italy;
- If there is a second-level analysis laboratory for counter-tests required by legislation during product pickup;
- If there is a special and updated dermatological observatory for allergic reactions from textile products;
- Why is the Rapex system, a rapid warning system to prevent non-conforming products, less active in the textile sector in Italy than in the rest of Europe.
We will start relevant discussions with the ministry to check the activity on these aspects and prepare all necessary forms of prevention and protection.
We advise consumers to be careful and responsible: price is not everything. The risks behind fast fashion are numerous, from the exploitation of workers (even minors) and the impact on the environment (defined not only by the many kilometers of transport, but also by the microplastics and substances released by these products). ). The choices we make matter, let’s learn to make them count and demand the right quality.