The European Parliament, in its plenary session on 1 June 2023, took a significant step forward by adopting a resolution on the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles (EU textiles strategy). This strategy aims to revolutionise the textile industry, making it more sustainable while addressing the environmental impact of textile production and consumption, including climate change, water usage, and energy consumption. Inevitably, this groundbreaking strategy will have a profound effect on various industries such as clothing, furniture, buildings, vehicles, medical equipment, and protective gear.
Embracing Sustainability: The Core of the EU Textiles Strategy
At its core, the EU textiles strategy focuses on enhancing the durability of textiles, promoting reuse, repair, and recycling practices. The strategy emphasizes the importance of upholding human rights, social welfare, labor rights, environmental standards, and animal welfare throughout the entire supply chain. In a resolute stand against “fast fashion,” the European Parliament calls for stronger EU and national measures to combat excessive production and consumption of textiles.
Key Pillars of the EU Textiles Strategy
The European Parliament’s strategy can be distilled into four key pillars, which are as follows:
1. Combating Excessive Production and Consumption
To combat the detrimental effects of overproduction and overconsumption of textiles, the EU aims to implement more stringent measures. By doing so, they hope to curb the adverse environmental impact and foster a more sustainable textile industry.
2. Promoting Durability and Circular Practices
The EU seeks to redefine the standards for textile products sold within its borders. Their vision is to ensure that clothing and footwear are designed to last longer, be easily reusable, repairable, and recyclable. By encouraging circularity, the EU aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.
3. Sustainable and Ethical Production
Under this strategy, the European Parliament calls for the production of clothing and footwear to adhere to circular, sustainable, and socially responsible principles. By embracing these values, the EU aims to protect the environment, improve working conditions, and uphold the dignity of workers throughout the textile supply chain.
4. Prohibition of Unsold Textile Goods Destruction
The EU proposes a ban on the destruction of unsold and returned textile goods. This measure aims to minimize waste and encourage responsible inventory management practices among textile manufacturers and retailers.
Stricter Measures Against “Fast Fashion”
An essential element of the EU textiles strategy is the implementation of more stringent measures to combat the fast fashion phenomenon. In order to access the EU market, clothing, shoes, and other textile products must meet specific criteria. These include reusability, repairability, recyclability, a substantial use of recycled fibers, and freedom from hazardous substances. The European Parliament also urges Member States and the European Commission to encompass online marketplaces within the definition of “economic operators.” This inclusion ensures that market surveillance authorities can take action against non-compliant products sold through online platforms, thereby reinforcing adherence to EU law.
The European Environmental Agency’s Role
The European Parliament seeks to empower the European Environmental Agency (EEA) with the authority to monitor and assess the effectiveness of measures taken under the EU textiles strategy. This enhanced oversight enables the EEA to recommend policy changes that align with the EU’s sustainability objectives.
A Holistic Approach: Environmental Factors and Chemical Usage
The parliamentary resolution emphasizes the need to consider environmental factors throughout the lifecycle of textile products. Carbon emissions, water usage, and harmful chemical substances generated during textile production are areas of particular concern. The European Parliament urges the European Commission to establish science-based targets by 2025 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of textiles, including emissions resulting from raw materials. These targets may significantly influence the production processes of textiles sold in the EU.
Moreover, the European Parliament advocates for the prevention and reduction of harmful chemical usage in textiles. Stricter adherence to the REACH Regulation is encouraged, aiming to substitute hazardous substances wherever possible and minimize their presence in textile products. The European Parliament calls for the phase-out of hazardous chemicals, disclosure of chemical information, and improved traceability.
Animal Welfare and Extended Producer Responsibility
The European Parliament places importance on animal welfare and protection within the textiles industry. It seeks measures that promote transparency and consumer awareness regarding the use of animals in textile production and testing.
Furthermore, the European Parliament emphasizes the responsibility of natural and legal entities involved in the textile industry. Extended producer responsibility, which includes professionals engaged in development, manufacturing, treatment, sales, or import of textile products, is advocated. The extended producer responsibility rules are intended to cover online marketplaces as well, ensuring that all entities involved in the textile supply chain are accountable for their products.
Addressing Pre-Consumer Waste and Unsold Goods
Recognizing that a substantial portion of textile fibers becomes waste even before reaching consumers, the European Parliament highlights the need for mandatory reporting requirements on pre-consumer waste. Additionally, a ban on the destruction of unsold textiles is proposed to mitigate the environmental impact and encourage sustainable practices in the industry.
Conclusion: Implications for the Textile Industry
The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles marks a significant milestone in transforming the textile industry. Manufacturers and sellers of textile products should closely monitor these developments as they may necessitate changes in production processes and business practices. Compliance with the EU textiles strategy will not only ensure market access but also align with the growing global demand for sustainable and socially responsible textiles. By embracing these principles, businesses can position themselves as leaders in the evolving landscape of the textile industry, meeting the demands of environmentally conscious consumers worldwide.
