Shein Under Scrutiny: European Commission Weighs Potential Probe

Shein is appearing for the first time before the European Commission following the scandals of recent weeks and after having declined the invitation on several occasions. Shein’s legal director, Yinan Zhu, has put on the table the possibility of drawing up a “list of recidivist manufacturers” to prevent defective or illegal products, such as child-like sex dolls, from being offered for sale again. The Commission, for its part, does not rule out launching an investigation.

This Tuesday was the first time that a representative of the Chinese platform sat in front of MEPs, specifically at a meeting of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament, to talk about the safety of the products it markets. Previously, the Commission had repeatedly asked him to give explanations and provide documents on the measures taken in response to the scandal of the sale of illicit products.

Faced with the possibility of an investigation, Shein claims that it has already taken measures to withdraw the illegal products, but has justified that “these types of problems occur in multiple markets, with malicious companies trying to find ways to evade controls”, reports Reuters.

European Commission sources rule out the application of provisional measures on the platform

However, sources consulted by the news agency agree that it is “unlikely” that EU regulators will impose any kind of provisional measures on Shein, and are far from a ban affecting the platform. Analysts note that last month a Paris court rejected the French government’s request to suspend Shein’s website for at least three months.

In Parisian territory, the court assumed that a ban on Shein would be “disproportionate” taking into account “the measures taken” by the company to tackle the sale of the products. It further argued that the French state had not been able to provide evidence of a “systemic breach” of the law.

Shein came into the international spotlight in late 2025 after the sale of child-like sex dolls on its platform came to light. The French government initiated suspension proceedings against the platform in November, specifically on the same day that the company opened its first permanent physical store in the world, located in the BHV Marais department store in Paris. This procedure was subsequently rejected by the court.

The French court, on the other hand, did order a ban on selling sex toys or other adult items without an age verification system, under the possibility of a fine of up to €10,000 for non-compliance.