The European textile and fashion industry may change forever to become greener and more sustainable. At least, this is the goal the European Commission committed to achieving last week in a package of measures and initiatives addressing the sustainability and circularity of products in the EU market.

The European textile and fashion industry may change forever to become greener and more sustainable. At least, this is the goal the European Commission committed to achieving last week in a package of measures and initiatives addressing the sustainability and circularity of products in the EU market.

These included the “Strategy for sustainable and circular textiles”, and as a kidswear freelance fashion designer, I know this text can mark a game-changing moment for my clients and me.

Here are some notes that could be helpful! Feel free to let me know your assessment & opinions by writing to me!

What the EU Commission wants to do

The EU Commission wants to ensure that by 2030 textile products placed on the EU market are long-lived and recyclable, made as much as possible of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances and produced in respect of social rights and the environment.

In particular, the proposals envisage ecodesign requirements for textiles, clearer information for consumers, a Digital Product Passport, a mandatory EU extended producer responsibility scheme…

In practical terms

Among others, the EU Commission wants to:

• Introduce mandatory Ecodesign requirements (set mandatory minimums for the inclusion of recycled fibres, for example).
• Create a Digital Product passport enabling products to be tagged, identified and linked to data relevant to their circularity and sustainability.
• Reverse overproduction & overconsumption + discourage the destruction of unsold products.
• Better inform customers and protect them from greenwashing by ensuring the accuracy of green claims made by companies.
• Take action to address the unintentional release of microplastics from textiles (apparently, up to 35% of all microplastic pollution can be traced back to textile products!)

…there are more points, but these are already quite important.

[Disclaimer: The “Strategy for sustainable and circular textiles” outlines the ideas the EU Commission wants to implement in the near future: it’s not yet the law!]

An opportunity for a greener fashion industry…that can be costly

I think it is great to have a vision for making the industry we work in (and love) greener and more sustainable. EU action can really create momentum towards a more circular and environmentally friendly industry.

However, we all know that heavier regulation often translates into higher costs and stricter constraints. After two years of pandemic – and with a horrible war taking place right now – EU regulation may become an additional burden on the recovery effort of the textile and fashion industry.

Stay back EU, then? Not at all! Here is my take

I am glad that the EU is aware of the importance of making the textile industry greener and more sustainable and that the idea of a new, circular model is gaining ground.

As a kidswear designer making clothes for the next generation, I really feel the responsibility for leaving those children a healthy Planet and environment. To achieve this goal, though, there is still much work to do.

If this strategy sets the vision for the next few years, good to know it in advance. For designers and producers, it may even be an incentive to anticipate the change and lead on innovation!

Sources (if you want to read more about this initiative)

• Website: EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/textiles-strategy_en
• Press release (21/03/22): Green Deal: New proposals to make sustainable products the norm and boost Europe’s resource independence https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_2013
• Questions and Answers on EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_2015
• Factsheet / infographics https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/fs_22_2017
• Circular economy stakeholder platform https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/