European Union

Underscoring the importance of addressing the critical issue of textile waste export and relevant EU legislative developments, a position paper has suggested a six-way road to unlock a socially responsible and circular textiles market globally.

The International Apparel Federation (IAF) has launched a full-service export support solution that will help fashion companies negotiate their way through the complex web of compliances, legalities, marketing and more.

The deadline to contribute to the EU initiative to support specific actions towards the textiles pathway in the bid to build a greener, more circular and digital future for the textiles ecosystem and to make it more resilient and competitive, ends 30 September.

A new paper by Zero Waste Europe examines the building blocks for a sustainable transition in the fast fashion industry and demands concerted effort by governments to bring the fashion textile sector back in harmony with planetary boundaries, outlining a list of entry points for the transition towards sufficiency.

In July, Zero Waste Europe highlighted the emissions gap that apparel industry giants will face if no urgent action is taken by governments to prevent overproduction. The EU is yet to set concrete measures on textile waste prevention, thereby cancelling out any progress towards sustainability. The report raised questions. Theresa Mörsen, Waste & Resources Policy Officer at Zero Waste Europe, throws light on the subject.

How are DPPs going to affect the trade process? Will countries that export textiles and/or apparel to the EU see a slowdown? Or perhaps, import too. What is it that they should do? Most important, how and where do they get started? Will we see teething problems, or will those problems persist over time? There’s an urgent need for questions to be answered. texfash.com explores.

Can digital product passports or DPPs help the textiles industry meet climate goals? Some key stakeholders surmise that DPPs have a better chance of being effective if clear and cut aggressive targets are set, aligned with the 2050 climate goals.

India needs to explore ways to face the challenges arising out of some legislations in the European Union that are violative of WTO agreements and bound to make Indian exports to the region less competitive.

As part of a broader objective, the EU Textiles Strategy came up with the digital product passport (DPP) for the textiles sector by introducing the concept through the proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). texfash.com talks to some players in the business of solutions to get a feel of the pulse.

Another landmark step from the European Commission in its bid to ensure that enterprises report both on their impacts on people and the environment, is Monday’s adoption of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).