About: textiles

A circular economy for textiles to design out waste and pollution

Europe has an opportunity to use the textiles strategy, due to be published this year, to build on its history of textile manufacturing and switch to a more sustainable industry, benefitting citizens and the environment, writes Valérie Boiten.

Dressed to kill – the environmental cost of fast fashion exposed

The EU needs to introduce strict measures to slow overconsumption in the fast fashion industry and increase the recyclability of textiles in order to reach a zero waste and net zero economy by 2050, according to a new report.

‘Fast fashion’ is out, green fashion is coming next

The COVID-19 crisis is accelerating the shift of consumers toward more green and local forms of fashion, writes Mariam Harutyunyan. As high streets haemorrhage, fashion will need to fundamentally remodel itself, she argues.

EU unveils circular economy plan 2.0, drawing mixed reactions

The European Commission unveiled its new circular economy action plan on Wednesday (11 March), confirming the EU’s intention of halving municipal waste by 2030, and suggesting to offer consumers a new “right to repair” for computers and smartphones.

Fashion industry ‘playing catch-up’ with the circular economy

With reports continuing to reveal the extent of the environmental and social damage caused by fast-fashion, not-for-profit organisation H&M Foundation believes the industry is now on the cusp of a radical sustainability shift towards the circular economy. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.

Ecolabels have lost all credibility, report claims

Lack of transparency, oversights, confusion… A report by the Dutch Foundation Changing Markets, published on 3 May, reveals the inefficiency of environmental labels, particularly for seafood, textiles and palm oil. EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'environnement reports.

Sri Lanka regains valuable EU trade concession

Sri Lanka has regained a lucrative EU trade concession it lost six years ago over concerns about human rights, mainly benefiting its garments export industry, but it will be subject to vigorous monitoring, the European Union said today (16 May).

MEPs demand tough rules for textiles importers

The European Parliament has called for strict, binding legislation governing textiles imported to the EU, to crack down on the kinds of abuses brought to light by the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, in which more than 1,100 people died.

France leads EU on duty of care requirements for multinationals

After four years of debate, France has finally adopted a law on multinational companies’ duty of care. This paves the way for similar laws in Belgium and Spain, although the project is stalled at European level. EURACTIV France reports.

Bangladesh crackdown calls preferential EU trade deal into question

The latest crackdown on Bangladesh’s garment workers for demanding relief from poverty wages and hazardous working conditions must call into question the country’s continuing eligibility for trade preferences under the EU’s GSP regime, write trade union organisations.

Commission proposes reinstating Sri Lankan trade concession

The European Union's executive on Wednesday (11 January) proposed that the bloc reinstates a trade concession to Sri Lanka as an incentive to the government to promote human rights and good governance.

Will Smart Specialisation impact Europe’s textile regions?

In the EU Cohesion Policy programming for 2014-2020, Smart Specialisation Strategies are a new tool for regions to design their investment in research and innovation. Europe’s leading textile regions united in RegioTex initiative to realise this potential, writes Lutz Walter.

Stitching up the EU-Japan Trade Deal

After thirteen negotiating rounds, the ambitious target of finalising the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement has now been set. The textile and fashion sector gives an example of what can be gained, writes Isabelle Weiler.

Putting reuse and repair at heart of the circular economy

Every year, we throw away millions of euros worth of goods that could be repaired or reused. Europe must seize the opportunity offered by the new Circular Economy Package to turn this situation around, argues Michal Len. 

The unexpected climate benefits of waste management

A leaked report on the climate impact of waste says climate mitigation strategies should concentrate on reducing and recycling textile and aluminium waste. Our partner Journal de l'Environnement reports. 

Made in Europe: Driven by businesses or policies?

The European Commission’s call to revive European industry was affirmed by the Junker Commission’s ten priorities as ‘strengthened industrial base’. Taking the example of textiles and fashion, Serge Piolat asks whether is the EU a good place for manufacturing.

Germany’s Müller targets sustainability with new Asia strategy

Development Minister Gerd Müller’s new strategy for Germany’s involvement in Asia intends to helo the booming continent achieve environmentally and socially acceptable growth with aid from German citizens and businesses. Critics are sceptical. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Record growth for German fair trade products

German consumers spent considerably more money on fair trade products last year, with only British customers spending more in the EU, ahead of the introduction of a pioneer fair trade label on sustainable clothes in the Federal Republic. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German fair textile initiative seeks international alliance

Almost two years since the Rana Plaza factory disaster in Bangladesh, German textile associations agreed on membership requirements for the government's proposed textile alliance, while apparel manufacturing giants still reject the project. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU aims for global standards against slave labour and exploitation

T-shirts for €4.95 and bananas at €1 per kilo – such prices often disguise unsafe working conditions and labor exploitation, inspiring EU Development Commissioner Mimica, and the German government, to push for an end such abuses. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German manufacturers bail on sustainable textile alliance

With a special alliance for sustainable clothing and a new textile label, German Development Minister Gerd Müller hopes to help guarantee fair working conditions in developing countries. But the initiative has been abandoned by relevant corporations and is under attack from NGOs. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Using TTIP to lift unnecessary trade burdens on textiles and clothing

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership offers an opportunity to keep high consumer safety, user information, and environmental standards for the textiles and clothing industry, while removing unnecessary burdens to trade, writes Isabelle Weiler.