Paris, France – A Parisian court has denied the French government’s attempt to suspend the controversial fast-fashion website Shein, which came under fire for offering childlike sex dolls among its products. In a ruling deemed “disproportionate,” the court maintained that instead of closure, age verification measures would be mandated for the sale of adult items.

The legal challenge arose after France’s consumer protection agency reported Shein for selling products that included both the dolls and weapons. While acknowledging the gravity of these violations, the court noted they were isolated incidents within a vast inventory, emphasizing that Shein had promptly acted to remove the concerning items once alerted.

Following public backlash over the sale of these dolls, Shein announced plans to eliminate all sex dolls from its platform globally. This commitment highlights the company’s focus on consumer safety and regulatory compliance amidst rising scrutiny.

The court also cast aside a demand from the French government for Shein to halt the sale of third-party products on its platform, asserting that such an action would be unduly harsh. In its ruling, the court established that failure to comply with the newly instituted age verification could incur fines of €10,000 per infraction.

The case coincided with Shein’s opening of its first physical store in Paris, which attracted a mix of enthusiastic shoppers and vocal protesters. Critics have voiced concerns not only about the problematic items but also about Shein’s broader role in the fast-fashion industry.

Shein reaffirmed its dedication to improving its control processes in collaboration with French authorities, aiming to set a high standard for compliance and consumer protection. The company reiterated its commitment to relevant local laws and emphasized the importance of safeguarding French consumers.

This ruling and the recent developments underscore a vital conversation about the responsibilities of online marketplaces in regulating their inventory and prioritizing consumer welfare in an increasingly complex digital retail landscape.