"Shein’s Cotton Tied to Chinese Region Accused of Forced Labor", 21 November 2022

Laboratory testing conducted for Bloomberg News on two occasions this year found that garments shipped to the US by Shein were made with cotton from China’s Xinjiang region. The results bring new urgency to concerns about the retailer, which stars in endless TikTok “haul” videos with young customers showing off their purchases.

Citing what the US State Department has called “horrific abuses” against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang, federal officials banned the importation of cotton and other products from the region last year; European officials have proposed a similar ban[...]

While the US ban has sent retailers scrambling to prove they don’t source cotton from Xinjiang, Shein — the largest online-only company selling clothing to US consumers — is different. Typically, its individual shipments to customers fall below an $800 value threshold that triggers reporting requirements to US Customs and Border Protection, meaning they’re not subject to the scrutiny applied to retailers’ bulk imports.

Laboratory testing conducted for Bloomberg News on two occasions this year found that garments shipped to the US by Shein were made with cotton from China’s Xinjiang region.

In a statement, Shein didn’t dispute Bloomberg’s test results or say whether it uses cotton from Xinjiang. The fast-fashion retailer said it takes steps in all its global markets “to ensure we comply with local laws and regulations.” A “Sustainability and Social Impact” report on Shein’s US website says the company carries out regular audits aimed at ensuring a zero-tolerance policy for “forced labor” and other environmental and social concerns. […]