Texas Launches Probe Into Shein Over Labor Standards and Product Safety Concerns

A new state investigation puts fresh scrutiny on the fast-fashion giant as regulators examine sourcing practices, safety risks, and data handling amid growing global pressure.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened a formal investigation into fast-fashion retailer Shein to determine whether the company violated state laws related to unsafe consumer products, unethical labor practices, and misleading business conduct.

The probe marks a significant escalation in U.S. regulatory attention as authorities worldwide intensify questions about how the company sources goods and protects consumers.

The investigation follows recent controversies in Europe where regulators flagged concerning items on Shein’s platform, prompting calls for stricter oversight.

Officials in France discovered items such as childlike dolls and prohibited products listed for sale, triggering a wider debate about content monitoring on fast-fashion marketplaces.

Texas authorities said the state probe will center on whether Shein sold products containing hazardous or toxic materials without proper disclosure or safety compliance.

Regulators will also assess whether the company made misleading claims about material sourcing, ethical production, or testing standards in ways that could violate Texas consumer protection laws.

Another major element of the inquiry relates to data privacy, a growing concern for online retailers operating at large scale.

Officials will review how Shein collects, stores, and uses customer information, and whether those practices align with state privacy requirements and transparency expectations.

The company has faced mounting pressure across several countries, with France moving toward a temporary suspension of Shein’s activities while conducting its own review.

European regulators, including the European Commission, have requested additional information from the company to evaluate potential “systemic risks” for consumers in the region.

Shein has said it removed inappropriate products flagged by European authorities and indicated it is cooperating with ongoing inquiries at the EU level.

The company maintains a global presence but relies on extensive supply chains in China, where thousands of manufacturers produce items at rapid turnaround speeds.

The brand, which is headquartered in Singapore, has expanded aggressively in major markets, becoming known for low-cost apparel and fast-moving digital sales strategies.

Its business model has attracted both huge consumer demand and ongoing questions about sustainability, factory oversight, and transparency within supply networks.

The Texas probe comes as the state’s attorney general continues to scrutinize business practices across multiple industries.

Over the past year, several well-known companies have been investigated or sued by the office for alleged deceptive marketing, product risks, or violations of consumer protection statutes.

The political context adds another dimension, as Paxton is preparing for a U.S. Senate run in 2026, a race expected to draw scrutiny and competition within the Republican primary.

High-visibility investigations involving consumer-facing companies could signal a broader attempt to position himself on issues related to corporate responsibility and public safety.

As regulatory pressure increases, the case could have broader implications for how fast-fashion retailers disclose safety standards and manage global sourcing operations.

State-level actions in the U.S. combined with European inquiries could push companies like Shein toward stricter controls over third-party suppliers and marketplace listings.

For consumers, the investigation highlights a growing expectation of transparency around product materials, manufacturing conditions, and digital data handling across online retail platforms.

With millions of shoppers engaging with fast-fashion apps daily, state regulators are signaling a willingness to examine whether companies meet obligations to protect users and ensure product safety.

Industry analysts say the outcome could influence regulatory approaches in other states, especially if investigations reveal systemic issues in quality control or labor transparency.

The case adds to an expanding wave of global scrutiny facing major e-commerce platforms operating high-volume, low-cost retail models.

As the investigation progresses, Shein may face increased calls to provide detailed documentation of its sourcing practices, monitoring systems, and responses to flagged products.

The company has not issued new statements regarding the Texas probe, and regulators say the review is ongoing with no immediate timeline for resolution.