Representing one of the world’s largest fast fashion retailers, Shein was unable to answer MPs’ questions about where its cotton comes from.
Yinan Zhu, Shein’s general counsel for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), was asked if the company sells products containing cotton from China, mainly from the Xinjiang region , where China has been accused of subjecting members of the Uighur ethnic group to forced labor.
Speaking before the Committee on Business and Commerce, Ms Zhu was repeatedly asked whether the company used cotton from China.
After being pressed on the issue, she said she would have to write to the committee to provide an answer.
She said: “For detailed operational information and other aspects, I am not able to help you. I will then have to respond to the committee. »
She added: “Obviously we comply with laws and regulations wherever we operate in this role. And we have a supplier code of conduct, robust systems and procedures and policies in place.
“We have also put in place very strict enforcement measures to ensure that we meet the expected standards in our supply chain. »
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Asked if the company believed forced labor was taking place in before adding: “I can only answer questions that concern our activity.
Shein was founded in China in 2012 and is now a leader in fast fashion, shipping to 150 countries.
Commission chairman Liam Byrne took issue with Ms Zhu, but she reiterated that she would have to write to the commission next.
Mr Byrne said the parliamentary committee was “horrified” by the lack of information provided and said Zhu’s statements gave lawmakers “zero confidence” in the integrity of Shein’s supply chains.
“The reluctance to answer fundamental questions frankly borders on contempt,” Mr Byrne said.
The lead lawyer’s responses were called “ridiculous” and “very unhelpful and disrespectful” by committee member Charlie Maynard.
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When Ms Zhu said she was responding as best she could, the Lib Dem MP said: “That’s simply not true. We asked you very, very, very simple questions and you are not giving us clear answers.
Ms Zhu also said she could not comment on reports that the online giant was preparing to list as a public company on the London Stock Exchange.
Sky News reported exclusively in June that Shein had prepared to file a prospectus with the Financial Conduct Authority for approval ahead of a possible IPO.
But when asked on Tuesday whether that was true and why the company had stopped pursuing its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, Ms. Zhu said she was unable to comment on speculation about initial public offerings (IPO) because this did not fall within its remit.