Several major organisations from the Spanish footwear and leather goods industry issued a joint declaration raising concerns over the rapid expansion of ultra-fast fashion platforms in Europe
On the occasion of the last edition of Futurmoda, the Spanish Footwear Industry Federation (FICE), the Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Leather Goods, Travel Goods and Related Products (ASEFMA), the National Association of Footwear Retailers (ANCC) and the Spanish Association of Footwear Component Manufacturers (AECC) issued a joint statement warning of the risks of the ultra-fast-fashion model for Europe.
The signatories argue that this business model, mainly driven by platforms originating in China, is “structurally unsustainable from environmental, economic and social perspectives”. “This is not merely a new form of digital commerce; it is an economic scourge that is eroding the foundations of the regulated European market and endangering employment and responsible consumption”.
They state that this model has a disproportionate logistical and environmental impact due to the influx of billions of small shipments into the EU. It significantly increases carbon emissions and packaging waste, placing pressure on the supply chain. It also promotes a culture of disposable consumption based on short product lifecycles, impulse purchases and high return rates, thereby undermining the principles of the circular economy.
At the same time, these industry bodies note that ultra-fast fashion companies benefit from regulatory loopholes in low-value imports, which allow them to bypass full compliance with European fiscal, environmental, and product safety standards. This, according to the organisations, creates downward pressure on prices, erodes margins across the value chain, and threatens the viability of European SMEs.
In addition, this model raises broader social impacts, such as the normalisation of impulse buying and the increasing disconnect between price and product value, which is of particular concern among younger consumers.
The signatories are therefore calling on the Spanish and EU authorities to implement stricter measures. These include removing exemptions for low-value shipments, fully applying VAT and customs duties, reinforcing product safety controls, and making digital platforms operating in the EU more accountable.
“We reaffirm our commitment to quality, durability, innovation, local employment, fair trade, and responsible consumption. Every purchase is an economic and social decision. Opting for European brands means prioritising safety, quality, job creation and a sustainable industrial future”, they conclude.
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