SUMMARY:

During a hearing on 11 November, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the IMCO Committee pressed the European Commission on the ongoing probes into SHEIN’s compliance with EU consumer protection rules and the Digital Services Act (DSA).

MEPs criticised the platform’s refusal to attend the hearing and reiterated the need for stronger cooperation from major online marketplaces. They expressed concern about SHEIN’s persistent non-compliance and called for firmer and faster enforcement actions.

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MORE INFORMATION:

Commission officials confirmed that SHEIN, designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the DSA, has received multiple formal requests for information, including on illegal content and goods, and trader traceability.

The Commission clarified that investigations are ongoing to assess whether the issues constitute a systemic infringement under the DSA. If confirmed, formal proceedings against the platform could follow.

In parallel, under the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network, national authorities notified SHEIN in May of suspected breaches of EU consumer law, including fake discounts, and misleading sustainability claims.

MEPs stressed that the platform’s absence at the EP hearing reflected a worrying lack of willingness to cooperate with legislators and regulators, urging the Commission to intensify oversight and accelerate enforcement where needed.

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NEXT STEPS:

The Commission will continue assessing the information gathered under both the DSA and the CPC frameworks. Depending on the outcome, further enforcement measures, including formal proceedings under the DSA, may follow.