The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) has released its vision for a new EU strategy for textiles and clothing. It said that EU policy makers have put focus on the textile sector, an ‘EU Sustainable Textiles Strategy’ is to be published by the European Commission this year, and a transition pathway will be developed for the sector.

The current context offers an opportunity to shape a new European framework for the T&C industry, which is at a crossroad. EURATEX wants to contribute actively to this process, to make sure it can develop a forward-looking business model, laying the foundations for a competitive and sustainable European textiles industry, the confederation said in a media release.

In line with the EURATEX Charter, EURATEX strives for a recognition of the Textiles & Clothing (T&C) sector as an essential and strategic part of the European economy. It strongly believes in innovation, quality and sustainability as a source of competitiveness; emphasises the value of a skilled workforce, embracing new green and digital skills; and maintains its support for open markets, based on free but fair competition.

Additionally, EURATEX wants the European textiles industry to be a global leader on sustainable textiles, be more efficient and get a greater share on the global market.

To successfully implement the strategy, EURATEX calls on the European Union to pay attention to certain points. When developing this strategy, policy coherence should be ensured. While the EU Green Deal provides an important basis, this textiles strategy needs to be aligned with other relevant EU policies, including the EU Industrial strategy, the new EU Trade strategy, the EU Pact for Skills, the Sustainable Chemicals strategy, the Sustainable Product Initiative, etc. The strategy should lead to harmonised European actions and remove contradictions between EU policies.

To be meaningful, the strategy should consider the entire value chain of the industry, as it is closely interconnected, as well as its direct links with other sectors (agriculture, chemicals, plastics, etc). It is also important to focus funding and investments to support and scale innovations, e.g., advanced bio-based and recycled materials, technologies, green production technologies and advanced multifunctional products.

To avoid frustration about lack of implementation or follow up, the strategy should also suggest an appropriate governance set up; a (virtual) structure which gathers legitimate representatives of the industry, policy makers and other key stakeholders. EURATEX proposes to create a textile alliance that will assess policy impact in textiles and avoid contradicting actions resulting from different policy areas.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)

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