Shein sells children's hijabs: fashion or risk for our little ones?

Shein sells children's hijabs: fashion or risk for our little ones?

Österreich - The discussion about the clothing of children and their influence on social norms is in full swing, especially with regard to the offers of the fast-fashion giant Shein. The federal government is planning a headscarf ban for girls under the age of 14 at schools, while Shein sold hijabs and chadors for small children. This raises questions about social acceptance and the demand for such products.

Shein, a Chinese company that is seen as an ultra-fast fashion giant, offers this Islamic clothing in different colors and patterns over its Austrian offshoot. A simple search for "Hijab children" on the Shein website reveals a wide selection of corresponding products, including a pink-flowered full body dress for 11.68 euros, which is available for girls between the ages of 4 and 14. Customer reviews are mostly positive, which indicates a certain interest in Europe.

concerns about chemical security

experts warn of the potentially poisonous chemicals found in Shein's pieces of clothing. An investigation by Greenpeace Germany has shown that dangerous chemicals have been demonstrated in several products from the company. At least one dangerous chemical was found in 45 of the 47 articles tested, including substances that can exceed the limit values of the European Chemicals Ordinance Reach by a hundred times. The harmful substances include phtalates and formaldehyde that can represent serious health risks.

Shein achieved sales of $ 16 billion last year and is primarily aimed at a young, social media-savvy customers in the USA and Europe. Despite the negative reporting, the company maintains its claim to take product safety seriously and confirms that its suppliers must comply with the EU requirements. Nevertheless, it remains unclear to what extent this is implemented in practice.

pollution by Fast Fashion

The problem goes beyond chemical security. The process of textile production includes numerous steps in which chemicals are used that can damage the environment and health. Dangerous wastewater occur when coloring and treating fabrics, which are often not treated sufficiently before they get into the environment. The REACH regulation regulates requirements for chemicals within the EU, but not for imported products.

In July, Shein was imposed by the French government 40 million euros for misleading discounts and false environmental information. In addition, Italy imposed a million dollar for Greenwashing at the beginning of August, which questions the company's transparency and again draws attention to the dangers of the fast-fashion industry.

The criticism of Shein raises fundamental questions about the standards in the fashion industry, especially when it comes to the production and sale of children's clothing. The sale of children's hijabs and chadors could indicate growing demand in Europe, while the focus at the same time has to focus on health and environmental law aspects. At a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly important, it turns out that the fashion industry is urgently dependent on change.

Developments related to Shein and its product range illustrate that both the legislative and social discourse on clothing and their effects on the environment and society will be pioneering.

For more information on the chemical contamination and the effects of the fast fashion industry, the detailed reports of Exxpress.at , stern.de and bund-naturschutz.de