Could France’s planned anti-Fast fashion law serve as a blueprint for a similar regulation in Germany? The Trade Association Germany (HDE) and the BTE Handelsverband Textil hope at least for an impulse for German politics. Because although countermeasures against the flood of fast fashion and their effects have been announced from the political side, no specific steps have so far been taken.
The French bill provides comprehensive measures against environmentally harmful companies and against advertising for particularly affordable and short -lived fashion. Among other things, penalty payments, new obligations for online platforms and sanctions against fashion influencers are planned: inside that apply for the corresponding products. In addition, a levy between two and four euros was decided on small shipments that are sent by companies outside the EU. The target of the regulation is the Chinese online retailer Shein.
The German industry associations would also build on these points. It is unacceptable that European textile and shoe companies are increasingly being subjected to stricter regulations, while Asian importers and online platforms get competitive advantages through unfair practices, the industry associations said in a message on Wednesday. According to BTE, this unequal competition is increasingly leading to the business task of German and European fashion retailers.
“German and European politics must now consistently act against the invasion of cheap clothing and fake shoes and agree on a common procedure in the EU in order to create fair competitive conditions,” says BTE President Mark Rauschen. In his view, it would be necessary to abolish the duty-free limit promptly, to introduce a processing fee for every shipment at customs and to establish a mandatory registration of all packages-regardless of the value of the goods-via the system of the EU import one-stop shop.
If these measures are not sufficient, a specific law must also be considered in Germany – based on the French advance.