05/09/2026
An interesting piece of news - Wild Angels approve!
France set a trend: slowing down fast fashion
The French, renowned for setting trends, started a new one on Monday – imposing fees on garments that don’t meet environmental standards.
French politicians claim the move will address the growing environmental impact of ultra-fast fashion, which churns out cheap, synthetic garments that swiftly end up in landfill. It comes as a report reveals that the fashion industry’s already substantial emissions ballooned 14% in just two years.
However, the Chinese government has cried foul, claiming the legislation is designed to target Chinese e-commerce retailers, such as Shein and Temu, while letting European outlets off the hook.
Under the legislation, ultra-fast fashion will be determined by three factors: the volume of products available, how much they cost, and their repairability. Fees will range from €0.50 (£0.43) for underwear to €12 (£10.30) for a coat, with the total amount capped at 50% of the product’s sales price.
France is not acting alone in trying to reduce fashion’s footprint. New European Union rules banning the destruction of unsold garments – a common practice in the industry – came into force in August. Brands must now find alternative uses for unsold stock, such as donation and resale.