Formaldehyde, a chemical commonly used in home building products, was detected in Shein’s caps at double the allowable threshold.
Two bottles of nail polish from Shein were found to have dioxane – a possible human carcinogen that can cause liver poisoning – at levels more than 3.6 times the allowed limit and methanol concentrations 1.4 times above the acceptable level.
Shein told AFP that they “work closely with international third-party testing agencies … To regularly carry out risk-based sampling tests to ensure that products provided by suppliers meet Shein’s product safety standards”.
“Our suppliers are required to comply with the controls and standards we have put in place as well as the product safety laws and regulations in the countries we operate in,” the company added.
Seoul authorities found that sandals from Temu contained lead in their insoles at levels more than 11 times the permissible limit.
Temu did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
Seoul officials have asked for the products to be removed from sale, according to a government statement.
“Products that exceed the legal limit are products that directly contact the body, such as leather sandals and hats, so citizens should pay special attention,” said Kim Tae-hee, an official in the capital.
“The Seoul Metropolitan Government will continue to conduct safety tests periodically and disclose the results.”
In April, the European Union added Shein to its list of digital firms that are big enough to come under stricter safety rules – including measures to protect customers from unsafe products, especially those that could be harmful to minors.
Shein and Temu have followed Chinese e-commerce titan Alibaba in challenging Amazon, especially by making inroads in the US market.
