The French Parliament approved a law aimed at curbing the rise of fast fashion, with Asian platforms like Shein and Temu at the center of the debate due to their environmental impact and the unfair competition they generate. The regulation seeks to reduce textile waste, protect the European industry, and promote more sustainable practices.
The textile sector accounts for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and these platforms are accused of flooding the market with low-quality products at minimal prices, creating mountains of waste.
Content of the law
- Financial penalty: each garment will have a progressive surcharge that could reach up to 20 euros per product by 2030, with a limit of 50% of the price excluding taxes.
- Destination of the penalties: part of the funds will be invested in collection and recycling infrastructure.
- Mandatory messages: companies must include messages on their websites that promote reuse and repair.
- Advertising ban: promotion of these brands will be restricted, even through influencers, although enforcement depends on the European Commission.
Criticism and limitations
The environmental opposition lamented that the text was reduced under the pressure of lobbies, excluding brands like Zara, H&M, Primark, or Uniqlo, which are also not models of sustainability.
According to Deputy Charles Fournier, the initial ambition was “considerably reduced.”
The environmental impact of fast fashion
The law is justified by the damage this model generates:
- Massive water consumption: manufacturing a cotton t-shirt requires about 2,700 liters, what a person drinks in two and a half years. Additionally, dyeing contaminates rivers with toxic chemicals.
- Carbon emissions: fast fashion pollutes more than all the flights and ships in the world combined, due to global production and transportation.
- Microplastics in the sea: two-thirds of current clothing contains polyester or other plastics. When washed, they release microplastics that reach the ocean and affect marine life.
- Mountains of waste: clothing lasts a short time and is quickly discarded. The UN warns that every second a truckload of garments is burned or thrown away, with a very low level of recycling.
The new French law sets a precedent in Europe by attempting to regulate ultra-fast fashion and hold large platforms accountable for their environmental impact.
Although limited in scope, the measure opens the debate on the need for global strategies against fast fashion, combining penalties, incentives for repair, and awareness campaigns to reduce excessive consumption.
