About: textiles
UK faces hefty EU fine over Chinese import fraud
The UK faces a hefty fine for underreporting customs duties applied to Chinese footwear imports when it was still in the EU, according to a judgement on Tuesday by the European Court of Justice.
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
There is an urgent need for a harmonised framework on corporate communications around product sustainability, and the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomes the EU’s efforts to drive greater sustainability in global supply chains, including in the textiles sector.
Fashion brands at the test of setting sustainable standards
Consumers' craving for ever-increasing sustainable products is leaving its mark on the textile industry, creating a shift toward a 'greener' manufacturing process that requires new ways to assess its impact on the environment.
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. InfographicPromoted content
The textile and fashion sector: A powerhouse of EU manufacturing
The textile and clothing sector is a powerful manufacturing industry in Europe. Each step of the production chain is present in the European Union.
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. InfographicPromoted content
European Textiles and Fashion: Facts & Figures
Textile and clothing sector is a powerful manufacturing industry in Europe. Our strength is that each step of the production chain is present in the EU.
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.