Italy Fines Shein €1 Million for Greenwashing Claims

Italy’s antitrust regulator, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, has imposed a €1 million ($1.16 million) penalty on Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein after finding that the company misled consumers about the environmental impact of its clothing lines. The sanction, announced on 4 August, concluded an investigation opened last September into so-called greenwashing practices. The watchdog said sustainability and social-responsibility claims on Shein’s European website were often vague, overly emphatic or omitted critical information, falling short of the heightened duty of care expected of firms in the heavily polluting fast-fashion sector. The fine targets Infinite Styles Services Co. Limited, the Dublin-based entity operating Shein’s European platform. Reuters reported that the company has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.