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🇫🇷 France /Culture & Society

France to impose financial penalty on ultra-fast fashion from September

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • France is implementing a financial penalty, or 'malus,' on ultra-fast fashion products starting September 1.
  • The penalty, which can reach up to 20 euros per item by 2030, targets clothing sold on Asian platforms like Shein and Temu.
  • French brands are exempt, aiming to protect domestic employment while curbing the environmental impact of fast fashion.

France is set to introduce a financial penalty on ultra-fast fashion items, with the new rules taking effect on September 1. The government unveiled the details of this 'malus' on Thursday, which aims to curb the environmental impact of rapidly produced and discarded clothing.

The companies hit by this penalty will generate a financial envelope largely sufficient to offset the bonuses planned for more virtuous companies.

— Mathieu Lefèvre's officeThe office of the Minister for Ecological Transition explained how the penalty system would function financially.

The penalty system, established by a law passed on June 29, will apply to clothing sold on platforms such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. The amount of the penalty will be determined by a product's environmental score, with potential penalties reaching up to 20 euros per item by 2030. This amount will be capped at 50% of the pre-tax price.

Specific items targeted include boxers, socks, shirts, jeans, skirts, dresses, swimwear, coats, jackets, trousers, sweaters, t-shirts, and polos. The penalty will increase incrementally until 2030. For instance, a pair of jeans might incur a 9 euro penalty in 2026, rising to over 17 euros by 2030.

the system would not affect them.

— Mathieu Lefèvre's officeThe minister's office assured that the new measures would not impact French brands like Kiabi and Decathlon after testing the effects.

Crucially, French brands and retailers like Kiabi, Decathlon, and Carrefour will be exempt from this penalty. The government stated that the measure is designed to protect companies that employ workers within France, while simultaneously addressing the environmental concerns associated with the ultra-fast fashion industry. The proposed regulation is currently open for public consultation until the end of July.

The companies responsible for the difficulties facing the textile sector in France are above all...

— Mathieu Lefèvre's officeThe minister's office commented on which companies were primarily responsible for the sector's challenges.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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