Germany, France And Netherlands Push For EU Crackdown On Ultra-Fast Fashion
Germany, France and the Netherlands have called for coordinated European action to curb the environmental impact of ultra-fast fashion, urging the European Commission to strengthen existing and upcoming regulations governing the textile sector.
The proposal was presented during the EU Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg, where the three member states called for more effective implementation of sustainability measures targeting low-cost, short-lived textile products. The initiative also received support from other EU countries, including Slovenia and Denmark.
Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Environment Ministry, said ultra-fast fashion places increasing pressure on resources, waste management systems and businesses investing in durable and circular textile production.
“Ultra-fast fashion is worn for only a short period but creates long-term environmental challenges. Once discarded, these garments are often unsuitable for reuse or recycling, adding pressure to textile collection and waste systems. Producing disposable clothing should no longer provide a competitive advantage,” he said.
Germany is advocating stronger requirements for textiles under the EU Ecodesign Regulation, including mandatory standards for recycled content, product durability and recyclability. It is also calling for clear criteria to define and regulate ultra-fast fashion business models.
The countries further emphasized the need to strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, arguing that companies placing large volumes of low-quality garments on the EU market should bear a greater share of the costs associated with collection, sorting, reuse and end-of-life management.
In addition, Germany, France and the Netherlands are seeking stricter enforcement of environmental and product standards for online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer shipments from non-EU countries, ensuring that overseas retailers comply with the same regulations as businesses operating within the European Union.
The call comes as the EU rolls out a series of measures aimed at addressing the growing influx of low-cost imports. From July 1, 2026, the existing customs duty exemption for consignments valued below € 150 will be abolished. Instead, imports from non-EU countries will be subject to a fixed customs duty of € 3 per product group, in addition to applicable import VAT.
Further, under amendments to the EU Ecodesign Regulation, large companies will be prohibited from destroying specified categories of unsold consumer goods from 19 July 2026, reinforcing the bloc’s broader strategy to promote circularity and reduce textile waste.
The latest proposal reflects growing momentum within the European Union to strengthen sustainability standards, improve accountability across textile supply chains and address the environmental impacts associated with the rapid expansion of ultra-fast fashion.
