Temu is a fast fashion and e-commerce platform owned by Chinese tech conglomerate PDD Holdings. It operates with virtually no supply chain transparency, conducting no audits and admitting it does not prohibit the sale of products linked to forced labor in Xinjiang. In 2023, a U.S. Congressional report found that Temu exploits the de minimis exemption loophole to ship millions of unregulated packages to the U.S., enabling the import of goods potentially made with Uyghur forced labor. The company’s model prioritizes scale over oversight, with no meaningful systems in place to verify ethical sourcing. In addition to labor violations, Temu has faced criticism for environmental negligence, supplier exploitation, and aggressive data collection practices.
Temu’s harm is both systemic and deliberate. Its refusal to implement even basic labor protections or supply chain due diligence mechanisms makes it one of the most exploitative players in the global fashion economy. The company benefits financially from forced labor, while avoiding legal accountability through offshore sellers and policy loopholes. Compared to brands that greenwash harm, Temu makes no attempt to hide its extractive practices. Its scale, lack of regulation, and structural disregard for human rights warrant a high impact rating.
Uncommon Goods