Slow Down the Fast Fashion Frenzy: Europe's Blueprint for "Slow Consumption" - Transforming Closets with Repair Incentives and EPR

The EU is moving forward with plans to impose a 2-euro handling fee on cross-border parcels and to eliminate the 150-euro duty exemption threshold. Meanwhile, France has passed a bill in the Senate to introduce a surcharge of 5 to 10 euros per item on ultra-fast fashion and to ban advertising for such products. Additionally, the EU plans to strengthen regulations against greenwashing starting in 2026. Countries are encouraging a shift from a "buy-and-replace" mindset to repair and reuse by offering tax incentives for repairs and implementing textile EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility). On social media, there is a mix of voices praising the focus on safety and fairness and concerns about price increases. The industry argues that these measures will reduce consumer purchasing power, while authorities aim to make the oversight costs of the rapidly growing direct parcel shipments (expected to reach 4.6 billion items in 2024, with 90% originating from China) more transparent. Europe's major shift has begun, aiming to reintegrate external costs into prices and slow down "too fast" consumption.