Shein fined €1 million by Italy for misleading environmental claims
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The fine was imposed on Infinite Styles Services, the Dublin-based company operating Shein's European websites.
The heart of the issue? Shein's marketing narrative around being eco-conscious doesn't seem to hold up under scrutiny. The AGCM flagged the brand's frequent mentions of recyclability and carbon emission targets as either 'vague,' 'exaggerated,' or in some cases, 'plainly false.' According to the regulator, these messages had the potential to mislead consumers into believing the garments were made from fully sustainable materials and were entirely recyclable, claims that don't align with current fibre technologies or recycling systems.
In fact, Shein's popular 'evoluSHEIN by design' line, marketed as a collection rooted in responsible manufacturing, was cited as particularly problematic. Despite being promoted as a green initiative, AGCM found that the clothing often failed to meet the implied environmental benchmarks.
Perhaps more damning was the watchdog's point that Shein's claims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050 were undermined by data showing the opposite trend, an increase in emissions in both 2023 and 2024.
This isn't the first time Shein has faced regulatory backlash in Europe. Just last month, France fined the brand a staggering €40 million for similar concerns involving misleading discounts and greenwashing.
While Shein has responded by saying it has 'strengthened internal processes' and updated its website to ensure better compliance and transparency, the backlash raises a broader question: In an industry notorious for environmental impact, can fast fashion ever truly be sustainable or is it all just clever branding?
As Shein continues to expand its global footprint, scrutiny from regulators and eco-conscious consumers alike seems to be keeping pace.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Donald Trump plans to meet Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky next week in a renewed bid to end Ukraine war
President Donald Trump told European allies he's planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as soon as next week in another bid to bring peace between the two countries. The effort to convene a meeting of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky came hours after Putin finished hosting US special envoy Steve Witkoff for three hours of discussions in Moscow.(AP) Trump detailed the plans in a phone call Wednesday that also included Zelensky, according to a person familiar with the discussion. The effort to convene a meeting of the three leaders came hours after Putin finished hosting US special envoy Steve Witkoff for three hours of discussions in Moscow. Trump in a social media post earlier on Wednesday said that there was 'great progress made' in that meeting, while still leaving open the possibility of further penalties on Moscow's oil revenues. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The New York Times first reported Trump's plans as relayed on the call with the diplomats. Earlier Wednesday, Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as punishment for its purchases of Russian energy. US officials are weighing additional actions to choke off energy sales that are a key source of funds for Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The Trump administration is considering new sanctions on Moscow's covert fleet of oil tankers and several entities that enable them to operate, according to people familiar with the matter. 'Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies,' Trump said in the post. 'Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come.' Still, a White House official said the US expected to implement secondary sanctions on Friday even as they expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Witkoff-Putin meeting. Putin's government said little about the three-hour conversation, with Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov telling reporters the Russian leader exchanged 'signals' with Trump on Ukraine, without elaborating. The Russian vessels have become instrumental to its ability to move its oil despite US and European sanctions. 'The shadow tanker fleet is the backbone of Russia's sanctions evasion and war financing,' Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, said on the X platform. The Financial Times first reported the potential measures on Russia's shadow fleet. The people said the Trump administration is considering a range of options to restrict Putin's energy revenues. Other possibilities could include measures targeting oil companies and actions to better enforce existing restrictions.
The Hindu
4 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Brazil requests consultations at WTO over Trump's tariffs
Brazil requested consultations at the World Trade Organization over tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the South American nation that went into effect on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). Mr. Trump has directly tied the 50% tariff on many imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. "The United States has flagrantly violated key commitments the country has agreed upon at the WTO, such as the principle of the most favored nation and tariff ceilings negotiated at that organisation,' Brazil's foreign ministry said in a statement. The most favoured nation principle is a cornerstone of Geneva-based WTO, whose aim is to get countries to respect trade agreements. The principle directs its members to treat each other equally in trade. WTO panels are set if no agreement is reached in disputes between members. 'Brazil's government reiterates its availability for negotiation and hopes these consultations contribute to a solution to the matter,' the Brazilian foreign office said. The U.S. government has not made comments about Brazil's move. WTO needs revamp: Lula Earlier, a Brazilian government official told The Associated Press that the case could drag on and there's no guarantee of success. The official, who wasn't authorised to discuss the matter publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has repeatedly said that the trade body needs a revamp to be enabled to mediate in conflicts. Brazil's government estimates that 35.9% of the country's goods shipped to the American market have been affected. That is about 4% of Brazil's total exports. Mr. Trump directly tied the 50% tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. Last month, Bolsonaro was ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor and to obey a curfew while the proceedings are underway. Lula is yet to speak about the move. On Tuesday, the leftist leader said he wouldn't call Mr. Trump to talk about trade 'because he doesn't want to' speak about it. Lula said that he might instead 'invite him to attend (November's climate summit) COP in Belem.'
India Today
4 minutes ago
- India Today
US slaps 50% tariff on Indian goods; textiles, shrimp, gems most hit
Domestic export sectors such as leather, chemicals, footwear, gems and jewellery, textiles and shrimp will be severely impacted by the imposition of the 50 per cent tariff by the US, say industry President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff, raising the total duties to 50 per cent on goods coming from India, as a penalty for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian United States has imposed additional tariffs or penalties for Russian imports only on India, while other buyers such as China and Turkey, have so far escaped such measures. "The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far costlier in the US, with potential to cut US-bound exports by 40–50 per cent," think tank GTRI the new tariff, it said, organic chemicals' exports to the US will attract an additional 54 per cent duty. The other sectors which will attract high duties include carpets (52.9 per cent), apparel - knitted (63.9 per cent), apparel - woven (60.3 per cent), textiles, made-ups (59 per cent), diamonds, gold and products (52.1 per cent), machinery and mechanical appliances (51.3 per cent), furniture, bedding, mattresses (52.3 per cent).The 25 per cent duty, announced on July 31, will come into force from August 7 (9.30 am IST).The additional 25 per cent will be implemented by the US from August 27. These will be over and above the existing standard import duty in the 2024-25, the bilateral trade between India and the US stood at USD 131.8 billion (USD 86.5 billion exports and USD 45.3 billion imports).The sectors, which would bear the brunt of 50 per cent duty include textiles/ clothing (10.3 billion), gems and jewellery (12 billion), shrimp (USD 2.24 billion), leather and footwear (USD 1.18 billion), chemicals (2.34 billion), and electrical and mechanical machinery (about USD 9 billion).Kolkata-based seafood exporter and MD of Megaa Moda, Yogesh Gupta said that now India's shrimp will become expensive in the US market."We are already facing huge competition from Ecuador as it has only 15 per cent tariff. Indian shrimp already attracts a 2.49 per cent anti-dumping duty and a 5.77 per cent countervailing duty. After this 25 per cent, the duty will be 33.26 per cent from August 7," Gupta Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) said that it is "deeply concerned" about the potential adverse impact of the effective 50 per cent US tariff rate for US is India's largest market for textile and apparel US tariff announcement of August 6 is a huge setback for India's textile and apparel exporters as it has further complicated the challenging situation we were already grappling with and will significantly weaken our ability to compete effectively vis--vis many other countries for a larger share of the US market," it urged the government to urgently take steps to help the sector during these hugely testing Shah, MD, Kama Jewelry, said this move is a severe setback for Indian exports, with nearly 55 per cent of India's shipments to the US market directly 50 per cent reciprocal tariff effectively imposes a cost burden, placing our exporters at a 30–35 per cent competitive disadvantage compared to peers from countries with lesser reciprocal tariff, he said."Many export orders have already been put on hold as buyers reassess sourcing decisions in light of higher landed costs. For a large number of MSME-led sectors, absorbing this sudden cost escalation is simply not viable. Margins are already thin, and this additional blow could force exporters to lose long-standing clients," Shah Growmore International Ltd MD Yadvendra Singh Sachan said the exporters should look for new markets to maintain export are hoping that early finalisation of the India-US bilateral trade agreement will help in dealing with the tariff negotiations between India and the US are still going on for an interim trade deal, though there will be no compromise on the red lines with regard to duty concessions on agriculture items, dairy, and genetically modified (GM) products, sources two countries are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA). They are aiming to conclude the first phase of the pact by fall (October-November) this year.- EndsTune InMust Watch
