In a joint letter to the European Commission, European textile and clothing companies are calling for an immediate action against Ultra-Fast-Fashion.
The industry criticizes the sluggish legislation towards platforms such as Shein, Temu and Aliexpress. These large Asian e-commerce providers are accused of flooding the European market with cheap products that do not meet the regulations. In addition, critics accuse the platforms of unfair competition, pollution and inhumane working conditions.
The associations require the EU to contain the “unprecedented increase in textile waste” and reduce the “unreasonable pressure on European companies”. In 2024, according to the letter that the AFP is available, 4.5 billion packages were imported from the largest e-commerce platforms from third countries.
It is crucial for the associations to tighten the customs controls. In particular, the reform of the European customs code must be implemented “immediately” – not only in a few years. It is planned to abolish the customs exemption for goods under 150 euros, from which the Asian e-commerce giants are currently benefiting, which send small packages from China.
The signatories are also demanding: Interior examinations against these platforms accelerate and impose “the most difficult sanctions” in accordance with European law. They support fees for small packages and a “dialogue with the Chinese authorities”. In addition, these companies should be obliged to name representatives that can be legally held responsible.
“Act now”
The demands are carried by the umbrella organization Euratex (European Association of the Clothing and Textile Industry) as well as numerous national associations from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal and other countries. The letter was signed on Tuesday at the Paris Mass Première Vision (GL Events) and then sent to the European Commission.
For several months, the Asian online platforms have been exposed to protests by environmental and human rights organizations, European companies and authorities. This can be seen in ongoing studies, high fines and legislative proposals that are supposed to slow down their growth.
The industry considers the previous measures to be necessary, but insufficiently. “The EU has both the means and the duty to act now,” Euratex President Mario Jorge Machado told the AFP. “It is the first time that the European associations were able to agree on a joint explanation,” says Pierre-François Le Louët, co-president of UFIMH. Olivier Ducatillion, President of the Uit, emphasizes: “This letter represents the beginning of specific measures without having to go through the tedious European decision -making processes.”
At the end of August, the French government also wrote to the European Commission. She urgently called for new powers to block online sales platforms that violate EU law-with a special focus on Shein.
This article was used with digital tools translated.
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