French legislation to rein in fast fashion faces crucial test in Senate
French senators begin debating landmark fast fashion legislation Monday that could reshape how ultra-cheap clothing is sold and marketed, but ecologists fear the proposed law has been significantly diluted from its original form.
The French buy an average of 48 items of new clothing per year per person, but two thirds of those garments remain in the wardrobe, while others are thrown away and pollute the environment. Thirty-five garments are thrown away every second, according to Ademe – France's environmental agency.
On Monday, lawmakers in the upper house begin debating a proposed law to "reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry" – estimated to be responsible for 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide
In March 2024, MPs voted unanimously to define and regulate imports of low-cost, high-turnover clothing – known as ultra-fast fashion – led by Chinese online retailers like Shein and Temu.
"Today, these giants of ultra-disposable fashion are invading the market without any oversight. We need to set rules and hit them as effectively and as hard as possible," said Sylvie Valente Le Hir, a senator with the conservative Republicans and rapporteur of the bill.
Under the legislation, the legal definition of "fast fashion" would be based on factors such as production volume, product lifespan and repairability.
Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Ghana grapples with crisis caused by world's throwaway fashionFashion and climate: why the greenest garment is the one you already ownFrance drops fashion groups probe over Uyghur forced labour
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