Models In France Will Now Need A Doctor's Certificate To Work

Ultra-thin models in France will now need a doctor's certificate to prove they're fit for work.

The new law, which was approved on Thursday, stipulates that models must obtain a medical certificate stating that their health, "assessed in particular in terms of body mass index, is compatible with the practise of the (modelling) profession".

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In addition, any magazine that photoshops a model's silhouette must now mark their images with the words "touched up".

The new law, which comes into affect straight away, aims to curb the practice of models succumbing to extreme measures in order to fit into sample sizes.

Breaches of the law will be punishable by up to six months imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros ($82,000).

While France has been quick to adopt the policy, other countries including Australia and the UK are lagging behind.

Aussie model Rosie Nelson recently started a Change.org petition asking that the UK adopt similar policies.

"There are many young girls who are in the same situation and my purpose was to let the world see that somewhere out there, someone is telling a 13-year-old girl that she needs to lose a few pounds," Nelson said.

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"There is public demand for change, and the power of social media is empowering girls to fight back against the industry for its wrongdoings."