Foto: 123rf
Platforms like Temu or Shein promise low prices and the opportunity to get hold of items that are hard to find. But is everything that glitters really gold?
by Nadia Tinkhauser
A young person finds a jacket on Shein that he has had his eye on for a long time via social networks, blogs or online tutorials. It would normally cost around 700 euros, but on the website it is offered for less than 50 euros – a tempting offer that he does not want to miss. His girlfriend, who regularly surfs the Internet, is also alerted to tempting offers through numerous banners. Temu repeatedly presents her with a variety of products at unbeatable prices. After all, the two spend the whole day on the portals to get hold of bargains. And they are by no means the only ones: more and more young people regularly use platforms such as Shein and Temu for their shopping.
Arnob Chowdhury, a 23-year-old business student from Bolzano, confirms this trend. “I often shop online and have often seen many people use these portals.” Chowdhury explains the popularity of these fast-fashion providers primarily through their strong presence on social media: “Influencers often work directly with companies like Shein. They create incentives for their followers to shop there through discount codes, collaborations or even their own fashion collections.” The extremely low prices and the reward systems, where users can receive additional discounts through interactions such as sharing or rating products, contribute to the attractiveness of these platforms. “In times of economic uncertainty, especially as a student or schoolchild who often has a limited budget, the pressure to save everywhere is great,” he explains. “It is understandable that many people resort to such cheap offers.”
But the extremely low prices also have a dark side: There are repeated accusations of forced labor, exploitation and harmful chemicals that seriously endanger the health of buyers. “These platforms may be good for your wallet, but the suffering of the people who work under these conditions is often overlooked or not even known to many,” the student regrets.
Investigations also show that the products of these suppliers are not only dangerous for the workers and the environment, but also for the consumers themselves. South Korean authorities recently found harmful substances in articles from Shein and Temu. A pair of shoes from Shein exceeded the permissible limit for plasticizers by 229 times, which could lead to infertility and premature births. Temu was also found to contain toxic chemicals such as lead and formaldehyde in unacceptably high concentrations, which are suspected of being carcinogenic and causing other serious health problems. Although the articles in question were removed from the portals after the results of the investigation became known, the fundamental problem remains. Platform operators such as Shein and Temu argue that they are merely intermediaries and have no direct control over the products offered by the manufacturers.
The South Tyrol Consumer Centre warns against buying these goods. This is not only because of the potentially dangerous ingredients, but also because of legal problems: “Many of these platforms are based outside the European Union and are therefore not subject to the strict European regulations on consumer and environmental protection,” explains Stefano Albertini, coordinator of the European Consumer Centre in Bolzano. This could lead to the sale of products that have long been banned in the EU due to violations of environmental and health protection regulations. “If an article is faulty or does not meet the promised quality, enforcing warranty claims is often extremely difficult,” adds Albertini. Returns are often complicated and expensive, which puts many consumers off. He also warns against buying supposed luxury brands at conspicuously low prices. “These are often counterfeits,” emphasises Albertini, which can also have legal consequences, as buyers of counterfeit goods can expect fines of up to 7,000 euros.
The EU has taken the first steps to counteract the uncontrolled growth of these platforms. “In March 2024, a law – the Digital Markets Act – came into force that imposes stricter regulations on major platforms such as Shein and Temu,” says Albertini. The coordinator also appeals to consumers: “Everyone can make a contribution to reducing the consumption of fast fashion. Conscious shopping, opting for long-lasting and environmentally friendly clothing and buying second-hand fashion are important measures to minimize the negative impact of fast fashion.”
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