Can France's Fast Fashion Law Cure Shein's Ills?
On Tuesday, France's Senate voted in favor of a revised bill aimed at regulating fast fashion companies, a major development in efforts to mitigate the ecological impact of overconsumption. If put into effect, the law could go as far as banning advertising from popular Chinese web stores likeSheinandTemuand other fast-fashion purveyors.
Such firm measures to regulate the textile industry have come about in response to the environmental spillover attached to the proliferation of cheaply-produced and extremely low-priced garments. According to a report from theUN Environment Program, from 2000 to 2015, garment production doubled, while the lifecycle of garment use decreased by 36%. In light of the boom in production during the 2000s, it's no surprise that approximately 92 million tons of textile waste are produced by humans every year.
Originally introduced in 2023 and passed by France's lower house in 2024, the bill was revised to 'make it possible to target players who ignore environmental, social, and economic realities, notably Shein and Temu,' said Jean-Francois Longeot, chair of the Senate's Committee on Regional Planning and Sustainable Development toReuters.
The 'clarifications,' differentiating 'classic' from 'ultra' fast fashion, impose less severe restrictions on European apparel companies, like Inditex'sZara— which has drawn further criticism from sustainability advocates.
The upper house of parliament voted almost unanimously for the revised bill, which includes new penalties for classic fast and ultra-fast fashion companies if set environmental criteria aren't met. Measures include reaching at least 10 euros per item of clothing by 2030, or up to 50% of the product's price excluding tax. For next steps, the European Commission will be informed of the vote, and a joint committee must reach an agreement between the two houses' versions of the law before it goes into effect.
Following the introduction of the 2023 bill, delegates from EU Member States, including Austria, Finland, and the Netherlands, echoed France's initiative and pushed for EU-wide regulations. In February 2025, the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement to revise the 'Waste Framework Directive,' an EU framework for waste management, to address waste generated by fast and ultra-fast fashion companies.
It's no coincidence that some of the most aggressive fast fashion regulations have emerged from the home of luxury's capital. In addition to the French parliament, Paris is known for the world's largest designer brands fromLouis VuittontoHermes, as well as luxury conglomeratesLVMHandKering. On an international scale, the wider charge is currently led by the European Union, where other metropolitan centers like Milan (home ofPrada Group) also serve as luxury hubs.
The growing calls to reduce fashion's environmental impact are indeed long overdue. However, the question remains whether the measures will slow consumer demand for trendy styles at ultra-low prices, especially as economic headwinds are already putting increased pressure on wallets.
The sheer abundance of 'Shein haul' TikToks, where users regularly show off packages full of excessive products, is a testament to how consumer behaviour shares culpability. Reforming the fashion industry's ills will require not only action from brands but also open minds from customers.
A world where products are crafted with intention and consumed consciously is contingent on building a new relationship to fashion, involving better garment care and increased utility throughout the product lifecycle.
Perhaps fast fashion has something to learn from luxury, especially given that some maisons are over a century old (Shein was founded in 2008). Strong principles of craft, quality, and longevity are integral to the messaging of today's most resonant luxury brands likeBottega VenetaandLoewe. The question is whether the high level of care and consideration held for luxury fashion can be extended to everyday clothing without pricing out customers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Club Car and U.S. LSPTV Coalition Join Congressman Rick Allen in Testimony Before ITC as Final Trade Ruling Nears
AUGUSTA, Ga., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Club Car leaders appeared before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington, D.C., to provide testimony as part of the Commission's final hearing in the ongoing antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) case concerning low-speed vehicle imports from China. The hearing is a critical step in the ITC's final determination on whether illegally dumped and subsidized imports of Chinese golf cars and personal transportation vehicles have materially harmed the U.S. industry. "On a level playing field, U.S. companies can out-innovate and out-compete anyone in the world," said Congressman Rick Allen. "However, when foreign companies—with government backing—violate international trade rules and flood the U.S. market with dumped and subsidized products, the playing field is far from even." Club Car leaders provided firsthand evidence of the injury caused by unfair trade practices, including lost sales, price suppression, and competitive disruption in both the consumer personal transportation and golf fleet markets. "We cut, bend, and weld that aluminum inside the four walls of our Augusta, GA manufacturing location to create the structural frame and chassis for every vehicle we sell," said Mark Wagner, Club Car President and CEO (Retiring). "We had to take a stand to protect the American workers who build our cars every day to support their families and have experienced lower take home pay." The Commerce Department has already issued a preliminary determination confirming that Chinese manufacturers benefit from significant government subsidies and sell products in the U.S. at less than fair value. The ITC's upcoming ruling will determine whether duties will be imposed for the next five years. "Chinese producers are flooding the market with lookalike vehicles at artificially low prices—and the consequences have been real for our business, our employees, and our dealers," said Mark Rickell, Club Car, Vice President of Sales – Americas. "There is no portion of the market that is insulated. As U.S. producers lose market share and price competition intensifies, the economics of producing each unit worsen. This is unsustainable." Representatives of a broader U.S. manufacturing coalition advocating for fair competition and enforcement of U.S. trade laws also provided testimony during the hearing. "We appreciate the Commission's thorough and objective review of the facts," said Wagner. "We are confident the evidence clearly shows that these imports have harmed our industry and threaten the long-term viability of U.S. innovation and jobs." Club Car is working closely with industry partners and federal authorities to uphold fair trade practices and protect American manufacturing. About Club Car:With a history of superior design and performance that spans over six decades, Club Car is the leader in the clubhouse and the gold standard for small-wheel vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Augusta, Georgia, Club Car is known for quality craftmanship which ensures long-term reliability and customer satisfaction. Though its legacy is rooted in golf fleet and golf operations, the Club Car product portfolio has grown to include vehicles for commercial, personal and street-legal low speed use. The Club Car Vehicle Group also includes the luxury electric vehicle brand, Garia, and lightweight electric utility vehicle brand, Melex. To learn more, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Club Car, LLC Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hamilton Spectator
14 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada could gain as global investors rethink U.S. emphasis: BNP economist
TORONTO - Canada stands to gain as global investors rethink their focus on the United States, the chief economist at one of Europe's largest banks says. BNP Paribas chief economist Isabelle Mateos y Lago said in an interview that the volatility in the U.S. is making investors regain an appreciation of the value of stable returns and predictability, even if it means giving up some of the outsized gains it has offered in recent years. 'The general situation is every investor on the face of the planet has been very overweight (the) U.S. economy, and is now going through a thought process of thinking, maybe I shouldn't be so overweight the U.S. economy, and I need to diversify and find alternatives,' she said. 'So every other geography is going through a bit of a beauty contest right now in the eyes of global investors, and has an opportunity to shine, and I think Canada is one of those.' Mateos y Lago, who was in Toronto this week visiting clients, said Canada's recent election helps give the country some momentum, while efforts to address structural barriers like internal trade will also help growth. 'It's a moment of opportunity and so I would be shocked if Canada didn't benefit from it.' The effects of investors shifting away from the U.S. can already be seen in Canada's main stock index, as the S&P/TSX composite hit record highs this week. Mateos y Lago, who was chief markets strategist at U.S. investment manager BlackRock before taking the top economist job at BNP last year, said the focus on the U.S. in recent years has also meant other markets are relatively cheap, helping make them opportunities worth looking at. European countries are looking to Canada as a source of trade diversification, just as Canada is looking across the Atlantic. Geography does present challenges, but otherwise there's much going for increased ties including language, culture and regulations, she said. 'There are obvious complementarities, and things that should make this easier than with some other potential trade counterparts,' said Mateos y Lago. 'There's a renewed momentum on both sides to try and diversify from the U.S. market, and so this mutual interest, I'm sure the talks will be fruitful.' While Canada already has free trade deals in place with Europe, along with many other partners, Mateos y Lago said there's room to be more ambitious by further reducing tariffs and trade barriers between partners. Prime Minister Mark Carney will have an opportunity to talk directly with his European counterparts as G7 leaders, which include France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom along with Japan and the U.S., are set to meet next week in Alberta. As chair of the G7 this year, Canada has an important role to play in trying to save and preserve the rules-based global order that has benefited so many, said Mateos y Lago. 'Canada is one of the countries that can help emphasize the interests that all the key economies have in common, and keep working together and trying to safeguard as much of the existing system of rules as can be because that will be to the benefit of all,' she said. 'The more we see that there is common ground still across all the members of the G7, and maybe on some issues with the broader invited guests, I think the more that will be a sign to economic agents everywhere that it's OK, that the house is still standing.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025.
The Hill
15 minutes ago
- The Hill
The post-Trump tax cliff
The Big Story While Republicans push to make expiring provisions in President Trump's 2017 tax law permanent, additional measures geared toward working-class Americans are being slated for expiration at the end of 2028. © The Associated Press 'It means that's going to be an issue in the next presidential race,' House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.) said. The major expiring tax breaks in the House-passed version of Trump's 'big beautiful bill' are boosts in the standard deduction, the deduction for seniors, and the child tax credit, along with the cancellation of taxes on tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest. Budget hawks are saying this sets up a tax cliff in the legislation similar to the one Republicans are now trying to surmount, since most of the 2017 Trump tax cuts expire at the end of this year. 'There's a total tax cliff in there. There's about $1.5 trillion worth of taxes that expire in four years, five years, which means what? In five years, they'll just keep them going. This is why we end up with the same problem,' Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said last week. 'It is 100 percent a gimmick to have tax cuts that you're putting in place for four or five years,' he added. The legislation is likely to undergo substantial changes in the Senate, including a change in the accounting baseline that will allow trillions of dollars worth of deficit additions coming from the extension of previous tax cuts to be ignored. But senators are sounding open to maintaining the split between making the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent and allowing the additional cuts for workers, families, retirees and consumers to expire. The Hill's Tobias Burns and Aris Folley have more here. Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter, I'm Aris Folley — covering the intersection of Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads Key business and economic news with implications this week and beyond: Top earners to receive lion's share of income boost from GOP bill: CBO The top one-tenth of the U.S. income spectrum is set to receive the biggest annual boost to its wealth as a result of the House-passed Republican tax cut and spending bill, according to a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), while the bottom three deciles are set to lose wealth and the fourth lowest decile will break even. House GOP approves first batch of DOGE cuts House Republicans voted on Thursday to claw back billions of dollars in federal funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid, locking in the first set of slashes made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Senate votes to end debate on stablecoin bill, teeing up final vote The Senate voted Thursday to wrap up debate on a stablecoin bill, teeing up a final vote on the legislation that would establish regulatory rules of the road for the dollar-backed cryptocurrencies. Walmart heiress funds anti-Trump ad A billionaire Walmart heiress has again taken aim at President Trump — this time encouraging people to participate in protests against his second presidency while Trump holds a military parade in Washington on Saturday. The Ticker Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: In Other News Branch out with more stories from the day: Wall Street ticks closer to its record after Oracle rallies NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes ticked higher on Thursday following another encouraging update … Good to Know Business and economic news we've flagged from other outlets: What Others are Reading Top stories on The Hill right now: Padilla forcibly removed from Noem press conference, handcuffed Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed and then handcuffed after he interrupted a press conference Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held in Los Angeles. Read more Republicans lay groundwork for 'total tax cliff' at end of Trump's term Congressional Republicans are laying the groundwork for a tax cliff at the end of President Trump's term in office. Read more What People Think Opinions related to business and economic issues submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
