A pioneering bill to slow fast fashion gets approval from France’s lower house. Next stop, the Senate

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. pioneering / ˌpaɪ əˈnɪər ɪŋ / (adj.) – using or introducing new and better ideas or methods that have never been used before
    Example:

    The company is known for its pioneering work in electric vehicle technologies.


  2. influx / ˈɪnˌflʌks / (n.) – a large increase in the number of people or things coming into or becoming available in a place
    Example:

    The holiday season often brings an influx of orders for online sellers.


  3. greenlight / ˈɡriːn ˌlaɪt / (v.) – to approve or give permission for something to proceed, especially a project, plan, or proposal
    Example:

    The producers are considering greenlighting the new film project after positive feedback from test screenings.


  4. stringent / ˈstrɪn dʒənt / (adj.) – very strict and must be followed carefully, often used to describe regulations, commands, or standards
    Example:

    The company has stringent guidelines for data protection to ensure customer privacy is always maintained.


  5. levy / ˈlɛv i / (n.) – the amount of money that must be paid to a government or organization
    Example:

    The government imposed a levy on imported goods to protect local industries.


Article

Read the text below.

A pioneering bill to curb the rampant pace of fast fashion won unanimous approval in the lower house of the French Parliament, making France one of the first countries worldwide to target the influx of low-cost, mass-produced garments.


The fashion industry is among the world’s biggest producers of greenhouse gas emissions. France is seeking to reduce the allure of fast fashion items, setting a precedent in the fight against the environmental degradation they cause.


Lawmakers on March 14 unanimously approved the bill, greenlighting it for the Senate to consider—either to approve it or to tweak it and send it back to the lower house—before it can become law.


Christophe Bechu, the minister for ecological transition, hailed the vote as a historic step toward reining in the “excesses” of fast fashion. The bill will introduce stringent measures, including banning advertising for the most inexpensive textiles and imposing an environmental levy on these low-cost products.


The bill specifically targets fast fashion giants, calling for companies to disclose their products’ environmental impact. This move seeks to pivot the industry toward more sustainable practices, encouraging transparency and accountability.


It’s a measure that promotes environmental protection and aims to safeguard France’s prized high fashion industry.


Renowned for luxury brands such as LVMH’s Louis Vuitton and Chanel, France has seen its lower-end market sectors suffer due to stiff competition from fast fashion retailers like Zara, H&M, and the emerging Chinese powerhouses Shein and Temu.


By imposing these measures, France aims to level the playing field and promote a more sustainable fashion landscape.


However, producers such as Shein have countered the criticism, long arguing that their business model, albeit fast, effectively keeps the proportion of unsold garments very low. This, they claim, contributes to reducing waste—a crucial aspect of sustainability in fashion.


Luxury giants such as LVMH and Kering regularly face criticism for the billions of dollars of unsold inventory yearly.


French supporters of the bill argue it paves the way for future action, including a proposed EU-wide ban on the export of used clothing to tackle the escalating problem of textile waste.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • France is seeking to reduce the allure of fast fashion items through this bill. What do you think makes fast fashion so alluring despite its known environmental risks (ex. its cheap prices, its trendy designs)? Discuss.
  • As a consumer, do you think it’s easy to avoid purchasing fast fashion items? Why or why not? What mindset do you have when it comes to buying clothes (ex. I prefer durable and comfortable clothes, I tend to change clothing styles often)? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Shein says their fast business model keeps unsold clothes low, reducing waste, while luxury brands deal with too much unsold inventory yearly. Do you think that this is a valid argument? Why or why not? What do you think usually happens to all the clothes sold by fast fashion brands (ex. they get replaced easily, they get thrown in the trash)? Discuss.
  • The bill is calling for companies to disclose their products’ environmental impact. Why do you think it is important for clothing companies to disclose their products’ environmental impact? Discuss.