French employers who break a newly passed law by the National Assembly risks a prison term of up to six months and fine of €75,000 if they hire very thin models. Using Photoshop to alter the images of models is also prohibited under the legislation that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2017.
The new law, passed on Thursday, is part of a larger health bill tackled by the French parliament for months. It requires models who apply for a job in France to present a medical certificate from a professional to serve as proof that their Body Mass Index (BMI) is proper for their weight, age and body shape, reports Mashable.
The ban of digital alteration covers making the model appear thinner or bigger using technology. It would only be allowed if the publication places "retouched photograph" along with the altered image.
Explaining the new law, the legislation points out, "The appearance of some models helps to spread potentially dangerous stereotypes for fragile populations."
According to Newsweek, a previous version of the bill approved in April did not set a minimum BMI. The normal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9, according to the World Health Organization, but the average BMI for French females is 23.2.
The passage of the law addresses the issue of model health which is a controversial topic in France. The country has an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 anorexic people, 90 percent are women. Other countries, such as Israel, Italy and Spain, have similar legislation.
In the U.S., some powerful figures in the fashion industry such as supermodel and model-maker Tyra Banks speak also are against anorexic models. Banks even once sent a female contestant of "America's Next Top Model" search for being too thin. Vogue has a similar stand.