France began enforcing a new environmental surcharge on so-called "ultra-fast fashion" imports on 1 September, with fees of up to €12 per item targeting Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu. Beijing swiftly demanded the law be suspended, with China's Ministry of Commerce accusing France of applying double standards under the guise of environmental regulation and suggesting the measure violates World Trade Organization non-discrimination rules. The legislation, which took over two years to pass amid political turbulence including a parliamentary dissolution, has also drawn criticism from French environmental groups who question why domestic and other Western fast-fashion brands are not subject to the same restrictions.