Water use in fashion production

The fashion industry uses massive amounts of water, with reports showing that making a single pair of jeans requires between 5,000 and 9,000 liters, and a t-shirt needs about 2,700 liters. This high water consumption is becoming a major environmental concern.

Environmental impact of textile production

The process of making clothing often involves polluted and non-recyclable water, which contributes to industrial water pollution. A 2025 study by Epson found that dressing the entire French population would require over 31 billion liters of water, equivalent to 4,097 times the volume of the Seine River.

Global scale of fashion's water footprint

Globally, the fashion industry consumes 4% of the world’s freshwater, with an estimated annual use of 93 billion cubic meters. It also accounts for 20% of global industrial water pollution, mainly due to the dyeing of fabrics with toxic chemicals.

EU regulations targeting sustainable fashion

The European Union has introduced the "Sustainable and Circular Textiles" strategy, which aims to enforce stricter water usage rules and require a digital product passport by 2027, with full compliance expected by 2030. This initiative seeks to make the fashion industry more environmentally responsible.

France's fast fashion tax

France has implemented an ultra-fast fashion tax starting in September 2026, with penalties for certain garments rising from 12 euros to 19.50 euros by 2030. This measure is seen as a crucial step in reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion.

Focus on global fashion giants

Governments are increasingly scrutinizing major Asian fashion companies like Shein and Temu, focusing on issues such as unfair competition, forced labor, and the depletion of natural resources. These companies are under pressure to adopt more sustainable practices.