Deutsche Umwelthilfe sues Shein over misleading advertising

Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has filed a lawsuit at the Berlin Regional Court against the e-commerce retailer Shein. The legal action follows the company's continued use of "PFOA-free" claims in its marketing of frying pans, despite a prior binding agreement to cease such advertising. Because PFOA has been banned in the European Union for years, DUH argues that the company is misleading consumers by presenting compliance with basic legal standards as a unique product benefit.

Shein entered into a formal injunction in February 2026 to stop the practice. However, after the company continued the advertising and paid only 2,000 euros of the 50,000-euro penalty fee stipulated, the NGO decided to pursue the case in court. DUH CEO Barbara Metz stated that the company is exploiting consumer concerns about "forever chemicals" to boost sales rather than providing accurate product transparency.

Beyond the issue of kitchenware, DUH reports significant concerns regarding chemical safety in other Shein products. Laboratory tests conducted by the organization found that a majority of textile products tested exceeded EU limit values for PFAS. The organization is now calling for stricter monitoring of online imports and new legislation to hold e-commerce platforms accountable for the substances contained in the products they distribute.