France Proposal to Penalize Ultra-Fast Fashion Products
Governmental Agency: French Government
Jurisdiction: France
Status: IN REVIEW
In a pioneering move to counteract the fashion industry’s negative environmental impact, France has proposed a bill suggesting a surcharge linked to fast fashion's ecological footprint of €5 ($5.45) per item, planned to begin next year and rising to €10 ($11) by 2030. The charge, paid by the consumer, can not exceed 50% of the selling price. Another key measure includes a ban on advertising for ultra-fast fashion products.
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The bill targets fast fashion companies and consumers who will have to pay the surcharge on fast fashion products. Proceeds from the charge would be used to subsidize producers of eco-conscious clothes, allowing them to compete more easily.
France will apply criteria such as volume of clothes produced and turnover speed of new collections in determining what constitutes fast fashion, according to the law. Once the law comes into force, precise criteria will be published in a decree.
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On March 14, 2024, France's lower house of Parliament approved the bill. All voting lawmakers unanimously approved the bill, which will head to the Senate before it can become law. The vote makes France the first country in the world “legislating to limit the excesses of ultra fast fashion,” said Christophe Béchu, Minister for Ecological Transition. The effect of the surcharge on consumers, however, has also drawn criticism of the bill.
