Germany, France and the Netherlands have called on the European Commission to urgently take additional EU-level action against ultra-fast fashion, according to a note published on 22 June 2026 ahead of the Council (Environment) meeting scheduled for 25 June 2026. The three Member States define ultra-fast fashion as near real-time design, production and online distribution of large volumes of low-cost garments prioritising speed and price over durability and quality. They ask the Commission to propose additional Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) performance requirements for durability, repairability and recyclability targeting low-quality products; define an EU-wide definition or criteria for ultra-fast fashion using elements from the revised Waste Framework Directive; define harmonised criteria for ambitious modulation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees on ultra-fast fashion practices; and strengthen oversight of online platforms, reinforce market surveillance, and revise Article 4 of the Market Surveillance Regulation (2019/1020) to close enforcement gaps for direct online sales. The measures should not impose disproportionate burdens on SMEs, with administrative burden applying only to companies responsible for ultra-fast fashion practices. The Commission is also asked to assess possible economic and social consequences and conduct further research. The call comes as the Environment Council prepares to discuss the issue, with no prior EU-level regulatory action on ultra-fast fashion recorded in recent months. The proposal targets the fast-growing segment of the fashion industry, which has been criticised for its environmental impact, including high resource use and waste generation. Stakeholders likely to be affected include large online fashion retailers and fast-fashion brands, which would face new product requirements and higher EPR fees; SMEs, which are explicitly shielded from disproportionate burdens; EU consumers, who may see higher prices for low-cost garments but benefit from more durable products; and national authorities, which would gain harmonised criteria for enforcement but may need to ramp up market surveillance. The Commission is expected to respond to the call in the coming months, with potential legislative proposals following impact assessments.
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