European Fashion Industry Unites Against Ultra Fast Fashion

In a significant move to address the burgeoning challenges posed by ultra-fast fashion, the Union des Industries de la Mode et de l'Habillement (UFIMH), the Union des Industries Textiles (UIT), and the European confederation Euratex are set to sign a landmark charter on September 16. This collaborative effort signals a unified stance from key European industry players against practices deemed detrimental to both the environment and fair competition within the fashion sector.

The signing ceremony will take place during the prestigious Première Vision Paris trade show, an influential event held at the Parc des Expositions de Villepinte from September 16 to 18. Exhibitors from various federations have been invited to this pivotal meeting, which the three representative bodies describe as "an unprecedented mobilization." This gathering underscores the collective urgency and commitment among leading industry stakeholders to tackle the issue head-on.

Central to this initiative is the federations' shared objective to advocate with a single, powerful voice for urgent European action. They are specifically calling for intervention coordinated by the European Commission, aimed at safeguarding not only European industries but also the 450 million European consumers. This emphasis on a coordinated European response highlights the scale of the challenge and the perceived need for legislative or regulatory measures across the continent.

Olivier Ducatillion, President of the UIT, further elaborated on the charter's intent, stating to FashionNetwork.com, "We are going to sign a European anti ultra fast-fashion charter, thus demonstrating a common position for the industry, a common discourse that aims to bring about concrete action, whether in terms of fees or applicable taxes." He stressed the critical need for responsiveness and solidarity within the industry, cautioning that ultra-fast fashion players are adept at exploiting any regulatory loopholes they discover, necessitating a proactive and united front.

This upcoming event builds upon previous discussions held at Première Vision Paris. The February edition of the trade show had similarly hosted a significant gathering of federations, where the Comité stratégique de filière mode et luxe (Strategic Committee for the Fashion and Luxury Sector) invited both industry and government representatives to address pressing issues, including environmental labelling. FashionNetwork.com had reported on the tense atmosphere surrounding those discussions, indicating a sustained and evolving dialogue within the sector on critical sustainability and competitive challenges.