France Calls On EU To Sanction Shein Amid Outrage Over Inappropriate Dolls

France has called on the European Union to impose sanctions against online fashion giant Shein, following public outrage over the sale of childlike sex dolls on its French website.

Paris Store Sparks Controversy

The controversy erupted just as Shein opened its first-ever physical store in Paris on Wednesday. The launch drew crowds of eager shoppers, but it also sparked protests from activists furious over the dolls and the brand’s alleged environmental and labour violations.

The store, located inside the historic BHV department store, remained open despite growing criticism. The French government responded by suspending Shein’s online sales pending an investigation into whether the platform violated French laws.

France Demands EU Action

On Thursday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Europe could no longer turn a blind eye.

“The European Commission must take action. It can no longer wait,” Barrot told broadcaster France Info. “The investigations have been done now sanctions must follow.”

The European Commission has been probing Shein, which was founded in China but is now headquartered in Singapore, for allegedly selling illegal or unsafe products and failing to protect consumers.

French junior minister for digital platforms Anne Le Henanf, alongside Finance Minister Roland Lescure, sent a letter urging the EU’s executive body to use “all its powers to shed light on Shein’s actions.”

“Platforms that benefit from the European market must adhere to its principles,” Le Henanf wrote on LinkedIn, adding that “the era of impunity is over.”

Shein Responds Amid Backlash

Shein moved quickly to contain the scandal, announcing that all dolls would be removed from its French website. The decision came after France’s fraud watchdog alerted authorities to listings of dolls resembling children.

French newspaper Le Parisien published a photo of one such product a doll around 80 centimetres tall, holding a teddy bear, and marketed for inappropriate purposes. The image triggered widespread outrage online and renewed calls for tighter digital oversight.

Public Reaction And Environmental Scrutiny

Despite the scandal, hundreds of shoppers continued to queue outside the Paris store, eager to experience the viral fast-fashion brand in person.

“The dolls didn’t stop me from coming,” said Fatima Mriouch, a 48-year-old education worker, reflecting the brand’s enduring popularity despite ethical concerns.

Outside the store, activists handed out flyers accusing Shein of “suspected forced labour” and “pollution,” urging the public to sign a petition against the brand’s Paris presence.

Frederic Merlin, director of SGM which operates BHV said he hoped Shein’s arrival would boost foot traffic to the department store.

A Broader Reckoning For Fast Fashion

This latest controversy has reignited Europe’s ongoing debate over fast fashion’s social and environmental footprint. EU lawmakers have already passed legislation aimed at curbing the industry’s wasteful practices, with Shein often cited as a major contributor to textile pollution.

As France pushes Brussels to act, the case could set a precedent for how Europe handles global e-commerce platforms accused of flouting local ethics and consumer laws.

For now, Shein’s Paris debut may be remembered less for its glitzy store opening and more for the moral reckoning it forced upon Europe’s fashion industry.

{Source:EWN }

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