The European Union (EU) has launched a formal investigation into Shein, an online fast-fashion retailer, citing concerns that the company has not sufficiently limited the sale of illegal products or implemented safeguards to protect users from addictive design features. This inquiry falls under the EU's Digital Services Act, which mandates that major online platforms take proactive measures against the sale of prohibited items, thereby enhancing user safety on their platforms.

One significant focus of the inquiry is whether Shein has established adequate protections against the sale of certain illegal products within the EU, including controversial items like child-like sex dolls, which may be classified as child sexual abuse material. The European Commission has emphasized the importance of compliance with legal frameworks designed to guard against the proliferation of harmful goods online.

If a non-compliance decision is determined from the investigation, Shein could be mandated to implement operational changes or face substantial financial penalties. The investigation is part of a broader crackdown by the EU on online marketplaces to ensure they maintain safe shopping environments and adhere to strict regulatory standards, especially following previous incidents that have raised alarms about Shein's practices in different countries, including France.