French Senate Moves to Regulate Fast Fashion with New Legislation Targeting Shein
Legislation seeks to impose stricter regulations on fast fashion brands, particularly Shein, as concerns over environmental impact and labor conditions grow.
The French Senate is set to vote on new legislation aimed at addressing the rapid rise of fast fashion, particularly targeting the online retailer Shein.
The proposal, spearheaded by Anne-Cécile Violland of the Horizons party, is scheduled for a solemn vote at 14:30, with broad support anticipated from both the Senate and the government.
French Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, described the bill as a significant step forward and highlighted its potential to set precedents at the European level by notifying the European Commission for legal safeguarding.
The legislation proposes a range of measures designed to combat the proliferation of so-called 'ultra-fast fashion,' a term used to describe brands that rapidly produce new clothing lines, significantly impacting the environment.
The law includes provisions for penalties against polluting companies, a ban on advertising these fast fashion items, and specific obligations for online platforms and influencers to educate consumers about the environmental impacts of their products.
Shein, an online platform based in Singapore, has gained notoriety for offering a staggering average of 7,220 new products daily.
In stark contrast, traditional retailers such as H&M report approximately 290 new women’s clothing items and 50 new men’s items each day.
This significant disparity has prompted the focus on regulating Shein specifically, leaving other industry players like H&M, Zara, and Kiabi less affected, a choice that has raised concerns among some lawmakers.
Sylvie Valente Le Hir, a senator from the Republicans party and the report's author, stated, "I do not wish to penalize companies that contribute to the economic vitality of our territories in France." Feedback from Shein has argued that the legislation could adversely affect consumers, with Quentin Ruffat, the company's spokesperson in France, asserting that it amounts to a law against Shein and its customers.
The proposed regulations would introduce 'eco-contributions' on clothing items sold, effectively imposing a fee of at least 10 euros per article by 2030. Furthermore, a total ban on advertising for ultra-fast fashion would be enacted, with additional sanctions for influencers promoting such products.
The constitutionality of these measures has been called into question.
In an unexpected twist, the Senate has also approved a tax on small parcels delivered by companies outside the European Union, which will range from two to four euros.
This provision aims to target other Asian e-commerce giants, notably Temu.
However, it remains uncertain whether this measure will survive upcoming parliamentary negotiations.
After Senate approval, a joint parliamentary commission will convene, comprising both senators and deputies, to reach a unified text before the final adoption of the legislation aimed at combating fast fashion.
The proposal, spearheaded by Anne-Cécile Violland of the Horizons party, is scheduled for a solemn vote at 14:30, with broad support anticipated from both the Senate and the government.
French Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, described the bill as a significant step forward and highlighted its potential to set precedents at the European level by notifying the European Commission for legal safeguarding.
The legislation proposes a range of measures designed to combat the proliferation of so-called 'ultra-fast fashion,' a term used to describe brands that rapidly produce new clothing lines, significantly impacting the environment.
The law includes provisions for penalties against polluting companies, a ban on advertising these fast fashion items, and specific obligations for online platforms and influencers to educate consumers about the environmental impacts of their products.
Shein, an online platform based in Singapore, has gained notoriety for offering a staggering average of 7,220 new products daily.
In stark contrast, traditional retailers such as H&M report approximately 290 new women’s clothing items and 50 new men’s items each day.
This significant disparity has prompted the focus on regulating Shein specifically, leaving other industry players like H&M, Zara, and Kiabi less affected, a choice that has raised concerns among some lawmakers.
Sylvie Valente Le Hir, a senator from the Republicans party and the report's author, stated, "I do not wish to penalize companies that contribute to the economic vitality of our territories in France." Feedback from Shein has argued that the legislation could adversely affect consumers, with Quentin Ruffat, the company's spokesperson in France, asserting that it amounts to a law against Shein and its customers.
The proposed regulations would introduce 'eco-contributions' on clothing items sold, effectively imposing a fee of at least 10 euros per article by 2030. Furthermore, a total ban on advertising for ultra-fast fashion would be enacted, with additional sanctions for influencers promoting such products.
The constitutionality of these measures has been called into question.
In an unexpected twist, the Senate has also approved a tax on small parcels delivered by companies outside the European Union, which will range from two to four euros.
This provision aims to target other Asian e-commerce giants, notably Temu.
However, it remains uncertain whether this measure will survive upcoming parliamentary negotiations.
After Senate approval, a joint parliamentary commission will convene, comprising both senators and deputies, to reach a unified text before the final adoption of the legislation aimed at combating fast fashion.
