EU regulators warn of environmental harms from ultra‑fast fashion

Cheap, rapidly produced clothing sold on online platforms has transformed European online shopping, especially among younger consumers. Environmental groups, consumer organisations and regulators say the ultra‑fast‑fashion model generates large amounts of textile waste, water and energy consumption, and releases greenhouse‑gas emissions.

The European Environment Agency estimates that the EU produces about 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste each year, much of which ends up in mixed waste streams or incinerated. Analyses by Greenpeace and other NGOs have highlighted hazardous chemicals – such as phthalates, PFAS and other additives – in some low‑cost garments, as well as micro‑plastic release from synthetic fibres during washing.

European Commission and national authorities are increasing controls on cheap imports, and France has announced new measures, including advertising restrictions and environmental levies on the most problematic business models, to curb the sector’s impact.