1.098 million fine for non-compliance with information on the environmental qualities of products: first penalty imposed by the DGCCRF

Shein, an emblematic fast fashion company, was fined on 3 July 2025 by the French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) an administrative fine of €1.098 million for failing to comply with the obligation to provide consumers with product information sheets on the environmental qualities and characteristics of products.

• Failure to provide information on the environmental qualities and characteristics of products 

A fine of €1.098 million has been imposed on the company "for failing to provide information on the environmental quality of products that generate waste and that it markets in France", and more specifically for the absence of a mandatory environmental statement.

The obligation to inform consumers about the environmental qualities and characteristics of products by means of a product sheet was introduced by Article 13 of the AGEC law, and aims to ensure that consumers have clear and accurate information about the environmental impact of the products they purchase.

The products covered by this information obligation are those belonging to the product categories covered by the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR), in particular packaging and textile products. 

Depending on the product category, the information required concerns[1] :

• compostability
• incorporation of recycled material 
• possibility of re-use
• recyclability
• presence of precious metals
• presence of rare earths
• the presence of hazardous substances
• traceability (geographical indication of the country where the weaving, dyeing, printing, manufacture, etc. operations are carried out)
• the presence of plastic microfibres 

Shein did not meet this requirement for 732 products. According to the DGCCRF investigation, the company failed to mention the presence of plastic microfibres in these items. Under Article R. 541-228 of the French Environment Code, the environmental qualities and characteristics must include information on the presence of plastic microfibres for textile products whenever the proportion of synthetic fibres exceeds 50%.

Shein has stated that it has complied with this obligation since the time of the offences.

• Towards a more transparent and responsible fashion industry?

This sanction not only reflects a French approach that values environmental information, but also points to a wider global trend towards more sustainable fashion.

It marks the first time a company has been sanctioned for failing to meet these requirements, highlighting the growing importance of transparency around a product’s environmental impact.

This sanction for non-compliance with environmental information could have major repercussions for the fast fashion industry and on any product subject to these information obligations.

It also highlights shifting regulatory expectations, with increased scrutiny and potential sanctions pushing companies to adopt best practices and fully meet consumer information requirements.

For further details on product information sheets, please refer to our dedicated article.

[1] Article L. 541-9-1 of the French Environment Code