MP Republicains Antoine Vermorel-Marques tabled a bill on February 13.
The initiative aims to introduce an advantage-malus machine for garment purchases based totally on the environmental footprint of brands. A surcharge of 5 euros would be applied to each object bought through rapid-fashion platforms, specifically focused on people who put more than 1,000 new items online each day.
Internet users' reaction to the suggestion
It failed to take long for this thought to spark reactions and active discussions on the X platform, where a few Internet users are railing in opposition to this law, which they consider unfair and discriminatory.
Many sense that this tax could have an immediate impact on their purchasing power and are concerned about its effects.
Criticism and worries about the proposal
Some Internet users accuse Antoine Vermorel-Marques of ignoring the economic and social realities they face in their daily lives. They criticize him for looking to impose an additional tax without considering the financial problems of many people who are compelled to opt for reasonably priced clothing.
Some argue that the regulation might unfairly punish customers instead of tackling the real culprits at the back of the fast-style explosion: big commercial enterprises and their competitive advertising policies.
Arguments in favor of the suggestion
On the other hand, some Internet users view the proposed regulation as an important first step in the fight against environmental harm because of speedy fashion. For them, introducing an incentive tax ought to encourage purchasers to turn to more ecological and moral alternatives when making their clothing purchases.
Lack of inclusivity or overconsumption?
Clothing brands preserve to stand complaint for the shortage of inclusivity in the sizes they offer. In France, the most effective 30% of brands provide a number of sizes to fit all body shapes, except for a vast proportion of the populace that cannot access certain manufacturers.
Overconsumption of apparel, particularly speedy-fashion objects, contributes to large amounts of waste. Some one hundred thirty-five thousand metric tons of apparel are thrown away every year, exacerbating the environmental troubles associated with the fabric industry.
Faced with those demanding situations, opportunities for solutions are emerging. Thrift shops are gaining in popularity as an extra sustainable and less expensive alternative for renewing one's cloth cabinet.
Incentives consisting of the textile and shoe restore bonus delivered in 2023 encourage restore instead of replacement. Part of the price of repair is covered by the country, up to 60% of the total restore cost, in order to assist purchasers financially while also lowering the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
The MP defends his thoughts in the face of the complaint.
In the face of the many criticisms and questions raised by Internet users on the X platform, Antoine Vermorel-Marques became keen to make clear the intentions of his proposed law.
According to him, this measure isn't always meant to penalize customers but instead to encourage them to make more responsible intake choices. He additionally points out that this tax represents an important economic lever in the fight against the excesses of fast fashion and its effect on the surroundings.
Raising public recognition of environmental problems
The MP stresses that this concept aims especially to raise public recognition of the environmental problems related to the style industry and to promote accountable conduct.
He additionally points out that apparel manufacturers themselves should gain an advantage in the event that they commit to reducing their ecological impact, which could encourage a sustainable transformation of the sector.
Legislative paintings continue to be in development.
Antoine Vermorel-Marques insists that this proposed law is just a start and that similarly legislative work is needed to refine and adapt it. Nevertheless, he says he is ready to speak with Internet customers and other stakeholders to take on board their suggestions and worries.
The undertaking right here is to strike a balance between preserving our planet and ensuring access to lower-priced clothing for all without unfairly penalizing certain purchasers and similarly weakening already precarious conditions.