Germany, France and the Netherlands have jointly urged the European Union to introduce stronger measures to curb ultra-fast fashion, placing the issue high on the agenda during a recent meeting of the EU Environment Council. The initiative, supported by additional Member States including Slovenia and Denmark, seeks tougher sustainability standards for low-cost, short-lived clothing sold in large volumes.
The participating governments argue that the ultra-fast fashion business model encourages excessive consumption through constant online product launches and inexpensive garments that often have limited durability. As a result, many of these items are difficult to reuse or recycle, creating mounting environmental and waste management challenges across Europe.
The coalition has called on the European Commission to reinforce both existing and upcoming legislation aimed at reducing the environmental impact of low-quality textile products. Their proposal includes stronger product requirements and more effective oversight of businesses placing such goods on the European market.
Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Environment Ministry, highlighted the long-term consequences of disposable clothing.
“Ultra-fast fashion is only worn for a short time, but causes problems in the long run. Once discarded, it can rarely be re-used as a second-hand garment or recycled, placing a strain on used clothing collection.
“This is a burden on our resources, climate and waste management systems and puts companies that invest in long-lived, circular textiles under pressure. That is why we are calling on the European Commission to set higher sustainability standards for manufacturers of ultra-fast fashion. Producing cheap disposable clothing can no longer be a competitive advantage.”
“Germany is pressing for ambitious provisions within the forthcoming EU Ecodesign Regulation. Among the measures it supports are mandatory recycled content in textile products, alongside binding requirements covering durability, repairability and recyclability. According to the Federal Environment Ministry, establishing a clear legal definition of ultra-fast fashion is essential to ensure consistent regulation and effective enforcement across the EU.
Beyond product standards, Germany, France, the Netherlands and their supporting partners are advocating tighter controls on online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer shipments originating from countries outside the European Union. They believe retailers introducing large quantities of short-lived garments into the EU should contribute fairly to the costs associated with collecting, sorting, reusing and disposing of textile waste.
The group also maintains that European environmental and product safety requirements should apply equally to all online sellers, regardless of where they are based, ensuring a level playing field for businesses operating within the single market.
The European Union has already begun strengthening its approach to low-value imports from non-EU countries. Since 1 July, parcels valued below €150 no longer benefit from the previous customs duty exemption. Instead, imported goods are now subject to a fixed customs charge of €3 per product category, in addition to applicable import VAT.
Further changes are scheduled to take effect on 19 July 2026, when amendments to the Ecodesign Regulation will prohibit large companies from destroying selected categories of unsold consumer products. The measure forms part of the EU’s broader strategy to reduce waste, encourage circularity and improve sustainability across the textile and consumer goods sectors.
