French Legislative Process to Curb Fast Fashion
Parijs, donderdag, 12 juni 2025.
The French Senate has passed a groundbreaking law that will fundamentally reform the fast fashion industry. The law, to be further addressed in the coming autumn, specifically targets the environmental impact and export performance of the textile sector. Simultaneously, the legislation reveals the vulnerability of the French fashion industry, with a significant export decline of 4% to 10% in the first quarter of 2025. The law aims not only for environmental regulation but also serves as a strategic response to challenges in the international clothing industry, with potentially far-reaching consequences for players like Shein.
Historic Legislation Against Fast Fashion
The French Senate passed a groundbreaking law on 10 June specifically targeting the ultra-fast fashion industry. The law will be further processed in the autumn by a mixed committee and aims to substantially reduce the environmental impact of the fashion sector [1][2].
New Legal Definitions and Sanctions
The law introduces a clear definition of ultra-fast fashion, based on the number of product references and repair practices. Moreover, escalating fines are introduced for brands falling under this definition, rising from €5 to €10 in 2030, with a maximum of 50% of the product price [3].
Export Challenges for the French Textile Industry
Simultaneously, the legislation reveals the vulnerability of the French fashion industry. In the first quarter of 2025, France experienced an export decline of 4 to 10% in the textile and clothing sector. The export value was 3.4 billion euros, with declines in both the European Union (-2%) and Asia (-7%) [4].
Industry Reactions
Yann Rivoallan, president of the French federation for women’s clothing, calls the law ‘a historic victory’ in the fight against major players like Shein [1]. The legislation aims not only for environmental regulation but also forms a strategic response to challenges in the international clothing industry [2].