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EUROPEAN APPAREL AND TEXTILE CONFEDERATION

EURATEX

EURATEX represents textile and apparel employers' associations across the EU and Turkey, promoting competitiveness, fair trade, innovation, and social dialogue in the industry.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Denis Redonnet (Deputy Director-General Trade)

15 Jan 2026 · Meeting of the DDG with EURATEX and its members

EURATEX urges technical textiles focus in new Materials Act

13 Jan 2026
Topic — The EU consults on a framework to boost innovation and production of advanced materials.
Message — The association recommends prioritizing technical textiles used in defence, healthcare, and mobility sectors. They call for shared testing infrastructures and faster industrial deployment through better certification.12
Why — This strategy would boost the global market position of European textile producers.3
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Meeting with François Kalfon (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Jan 2026 · Industrie textile européenne

Meeting with Eric Mamer (Director-General Environment) and

10 Dec 2025 · Exchange of views on the challenges faced by the EU textile manufacturing industry and discussion on the extended producer responsibility (EPR), end-of-waste (EoW) criteria and ecodesign requirements for textiles

Meeting with Valentina Schaumburger (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

18 Nov 2025 · Ultra-fast fashion

Meeting with Charlotte Merlier (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič) and Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs and

18 Nov 2025 · Ultra-fast fashion

Meeting with Brando Benifei (Member of the European Parliament)

12 Nov 2025 · e-commerce and digital trade

Meeting with Sirpa Pietikäinen (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Nov 2025 · Circular Economy Act

Meeting with Matthias Petschke (Director Taxation and Customs Union) and

5 Nov 2025 · Exchange on customs reform, product compliance, priority control areas (PCAs) and de minimis.

Meeting with Jessika Roswall (Commissioner) and

4 Nov 2025 · Waste Framework Directive, extended producer responsibility (EPR), Ecodesign for sustainable regulation (ESPR), EU Customs reform.

European textile industry backs voluntary EU-wide company rules

30 Sept 2025
Topic — A proposal to create a voluntary harmonized corporate legal framework across Europe.
Message — EURATEX supports a voluntary framework utilizing digital tools to simplify cross-border company management. They call for clear limits on tax and labor law inclusion to prevent duplicate reporting.123
Why — A unified regime would cut administrative costs and simplify cross-border expansion for SMEs.45
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EURATEX Calls for Caution on Expanding Carbon Border Taxes

26 Aug 2025
Topic — The initiative considers extending the carbon border adjustment mechanism to downstream goods to reduce leakage.
Message — EURATEX recommends pausing any expansion until the system is proven to stop carbon leakage. They also request a clear timeline and transition period for any new downstream products.12
Why — This protects textile manufacturers from costly administrative burdens and unfeasible emission tracking requirements for chemicals.34
Impact — Environmental objectives are undermined as the current framework remains ineffective at preventing carbon leakage.5
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EURATEX seeks delay and clarity on garment destruction ban

7 Aug 2025
Topic — EU rules banning the destruction of unsold apparel and footwear products.
Message — EURATEX requests an implementation extension until 2027 and broader exemptions for workwear. They also propose reducing record-keeping requirements to two or three years.123
Why — Reduced administrative costs and legal certainty for handling non-saleable textile goods.45
Impact — Environmental objectives might be undermined by loopholes allowing the destruction of goods.6
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Textile industry urges streamlined data rules for European SMEs

18 Jul 2025
Topic — A consultation on streamlining data rules to create a coherent legal framework.
Message — The association wants to align reporting requirements across laws to reduce burdens. They propose common formats and tools to help small companies share data.12
Why — This would reduce compliance costs and help SMEs adopt advanced digital technologies.34
Impact — Large technology platforms lose their priority as infrastructure serves all industrial sectors.5
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Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Commissioner) and

11 Jul 2025 · Implementation dialogue on customs legislation - Rules of origin

Response to Sustainable products - disclosure of information on unsold consumer products

10 Jul 2025

EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback to the draft Implementing Act (IA) on the details and format for the disclosure of information on discarded unsold consumer products. Building on our previous input to the development of the draft legislation, we would like to provide additional remarks in the enclosed file.
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Meeting with Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President) and

2 Jul 2025 · EU Clean Industrial Dialogue on Circularity

European textile industry urges strategic AI status for SMEs

4 Jun 2025
Topic — The European Commission is seeking input on its new industrial Apply AI Strategy.
Message — Euratex wants the textile sector recognized as a strategic priority to unlock specific funding. They request dedicated experimentation facilities and shared data labs to help smaller firms.123
Why — Dedicated AI support would reduce the financial burden of meeting new green reporting laws.4
Impact — Big tech companies would lose exclusive access to funding as resources shift toward SMEs.5
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Meeting with Jessika Roswall (Commissioner) and

2 Jun 2025 · Textiles

Meeting with Kristin Schreiber (Director Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

27 May 2025 · Introductory meeting on Euratex and on EU textiles industry

Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Commissioner) and

28 Apr 2025 · Trade and customs policy

Meeting with Hana Genorio (Cabinet of Commissioner Jozef Síkela), Lucie Šestáková (Cabinet of Commissioner Jozef Síkela)

19 Mar 2025 · Textile Industry and Global Gateway

Meeting with Xavier Coget (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen)

25 Feb 2025 · Discussion on the challenges posed by online fashion platforms to EU textiles industry.

EURATEX Urges Unified Single Market Rules for Textile Sector

31 Jan 2025
Topic — The consultation explores ways to remove regulatory barriers hindering cross-border trade and growth.
Message — The organization requests harmonized frameworks and streamlined compliance to address fragmented national regulations. They specifically call for unified labeling requirements and standardized waste management schemes across Europe.12
Why — This would lower compliance costs and improve margins against cheaper non-EU producers.34
Impact — Member states like France and Spain would lose their unique national environmental labeling systems.5
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Meeting with Valentina Schaumburger (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

23 Jan 2025 · Challenges of the European textile and apparel industry, and expectations towards the Clean Industrial Deal and related policy measures.

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and Transport and Environment (European Federation for Transport and Environment) and

4 Oct 2024 · Clean Industrial Deal

Textile industry demands data security and SME notification exemptions

4 Apr 2024
Topic — The EU is streamlining chemical data access and safety assessments across different regulations.
Message — EURATEX calls for the protection of sensitive business information to maintain industry competitiveness. They suggest exempting innovation-related studies from notification requirements to lower administrative burdens for small enterprises. Finally, they advocate for a stronger enforcement role for the European Chemicals Agency.123
Why — Exemptions and confidentiality would safeguard proprietary innovations and decrease operational costs for SMEs.45
Impact — Regulatory bodies and the public lose transparency if innovation-related chemical data remains undisclosed.6
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Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Executive Vice-President) and

2 Feb 2024 · Roundtable with associations of industrial users

Response to Waste Framework review to reduce waste and the environmental impact of waste management

22 Nov 2023

EURATEX appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the Waste Framework Directive revision proposal. EURATEX welcomes the proposal for a targeted revision of the WFD and the EU regulatory efforts to solve the textile waste problem, both to reduce waste and to enable textile waste recycling. The 2025 mandatory separate textile waste collection in the EU requires coordination and investments to build a European textile recycling value chain which could recycle 2.2 mln tons by 2030. The proposal seeks to achieve harmonisation on key features of extended producer responsibility (EPR), which is welcomed, as EURATEX has been advocating for a harmonised framework, being essential for companies to operate in the EU. EURATEX also stresses the need to use EPR as a tool to support the circular transition for the sectors companies, especially the SMEs. EURATEX outlines its main considerations for improvement of the proposed legislation and ensuring proper and effective implementation, whilst achieving textile circularity goals and preserving the competitiveness of EU businesses in a level playing field: 1. EPR harmonisation is essential for achieving circular economy goals, a level playing field and reducing unnecessary burdens for companies 2. Micro enterprises should be included in the scope with simplifications 3. Make online platforms jointly liable to ensure proper compliance 4. Effective market surveillance is needed to eliminate free riders 5. Exclude PPE from the EPR scope, and include leather goods 6. Common EPR fee structure is needed, including harmonised eco-modulation criteria based on the ESPR, and make the fee visible to the consumer 7. Refrain from setting targets for recycling of textiles, market data is currently insufficient to inform better regulation 8. Boost the development of the recycling value chain and support SMEs 9. Provide sufficient time for implementation to develop EPR schemes tailored to national specificities and a smooth transition 10. Ensure equal treatment of all EPR stakeholders and shared responsibilities 11. Prioritise the development of EU-wide end-of-waste criteria for textile waste 12. Provide a holistic approach to EPR to ease compliance, and uniform registration 13. Ensure a consistent legal framework and effective consultation with stakeholders More details are available in the enclosed document.
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Response to Revision of EU rules on textile labelling

29 Sept 2023

Please find attached the feedback of the European apparel and textiles manufacturers.
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Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and EDANA AISBL and Avery Dennison Materials Europe BV

26 Sept 2023 · Directive on substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive)

EURATEX urges clear rules to avoid green claim confusion

20 Jul 2023
Topic — EU initiative requiring companies to scientifically substantiate their environmental performance claims.
Message — EURATEX calls for a coherent framework to avoid a 'methodological jungle' and minimize administrative burdens. They advocate for fast, flexible verification procedures and clarity on the Product Environmental Footprint method.12
Why — A streamlined system would lower costs and protect their investments in green transition.34
Impact — Non-EU importers would face higher costs if required to meet the same standards.5
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EURATEX demands state aid and tech support for decarbonization

27 Jun 2023
Topic — The consultation addresses the Net Zero Industry Act to boost green technology.
Message — EURATEX calls for an ambitious state aid framework and reduced bureaucracy to support industrial decarbonization. They want funding for capital investments and stronger support for small businesses to remain globally competitive.12
Why — Access to subsidies would allow firms to modernize machinery without losing market share.3
Impact — International competitors from regions with lower environmental standards may face reduced market advantages.4
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EURATEX seeks clarity on textile re-use taxonomy rules

3 May 2023
Topic — New EU environmental criteria for classifying sustainable investments in the textile sector.
Message — EURATEX requests clarifications on how textile companies can comply with technical screening criteria. They also ask if the Commission will incorporate previous textile-specific recommendations into future acts.12
Why — Detailed rules would enable textile manufacturers to accurately verify their compliance with taxonomy standards.3
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European Textile Industry Urges Rejection of Unilateral EU Hazard Classes

30 Mar 2023
Topic — Revision of EU regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures.
Message — The organization requests deletion of provisions introducing new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and persistent substances, arguing these contradict global harmonization rules. They support increased enforcement provisions and digital labelling but insist physical labels remain mandatory for health and safety protection.1234
Why — This would prevent automatic substance bans and maintain their access to globally harmonized chemicals.56
Impact — Public health and environmental groups lose stronger protections against endocrine disruptors and persistent toxic substances.7
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Meeting with Kurt Vandenberghe (Director-General Climate Action)

23 Feb 2023 · European Green Deal

Meeting with Delara Burkhardt (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and INDUSTRIA DE DISEÑO TEXTIL, S.A.

3 Feb 2023 · Textiles

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and adidas AG

1 Dec 2022 · Sustainable Textiles

Meeting with Elena Montani (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius), Rozalina Petrova (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius) and

12 Oct 2022 · REACH restriction proposal on skin sensitisers in textiles and its implications

Meeting with Virginijus Sinkevičius (Commissioner) and

7 Oct 2022 · To exchange on the commitments of the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, including sustainability and information requirements for textiles, tackling green-washing and promoting circular business models

Meeting with Joan Canton (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

30 Sept 2022 · REACH restrictions on skin sensitisers; Textiles strategy

EURATEX urges keeping current scope in industrial emissions review

23 Jun 2022
Topic — Updating EU rules on industrial emissions to improve environmental performance and health.
Message — The industry requests maintaining the current scope to prevent immense burdens on smaller textile companies. They also demand excluding life-cycle assessments and restricting public access to sensitive business information.123
Why — Textile firms would avoid significant new compliance costs and safeguard their competitive market positions.45
Impact — Environmental groups and citizens lose easy access to detailed pollution data and company transformation plans.67
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Response to Sustainable Products Initiative

22 Jun 2022

EURATEX supports the efforts of the European Commission to improve the sustainability of products that circulate in the European internal market through the Ecodesign Requirements for Sustainable Products Regulation proposal. However, there are critical points that require attention and revision for the regulation to be workable in the textiles industry. EURATEX suggests the recommendations/amendments in the attached document.
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Textile industry urges predictable rules for forced labour bans

17 Jun 2022
Topic — This initiative aims to ban products made with forced labour from the EU market.
Message — EURATEX requests regulatory predictability and thorough impact assessments involving industry stakeholders. They highlight that companies lack full knowledge of every step in the chain.123
Why — This approach limits industry liability by shifting monitoring burdens toward public enforcement authorities.45
Impact — Member State authorities will face higher costs to enforce complex supply chain rules.6
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EURATEX demands narrow scope for corporate due diligence

20 May 2022
Topic — This consultation addresses proposed EU rules for sustainable corporate governance and due diligence.
Message — EURATEX requests limiting corporate duty of care strictly to direct Tier-1 suppliers. They argue for using existing OECD guidelines instead of introducing new concepts. The group also demands clear, harmonised support mechanisms for small businesses.123
Why — This would reduce monitoring costs and legal risks across complex supply chains.4
Impact — Sub-tier suppliers and local communities lose protection if corporate accountability is restricted.5
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Meeting with Thierry Breton (Commissioner) and UNION DES INDUSTRIES TEXTILES and

5 May 2022 · Resilience and future prospects of the EU textiles ecosystem

Meeting with Virginijus Sinkevičius (Commissioner) and

25 Jan 2022 · To discuss key challenges and opportunities for business in the context of the green transition to more sustainable and circular textiles

European textile industry urges science-based approach to microplastic regulations

18 Jan 2022
Topic — EU consultation on measures to reduce unintentional microplastic releases from textiles, tyres, and plastic pellets.
Message — EURATEX requests that regulations be based on harmonized test methods and scientific evidence, opposes current proposed measures as ineffective, and calls for EU-wide coordination rather than fragmented national initiatives. They argue microplastic releases from textiles are overestimated and that none of the proposed measures appear sufficiently effective or realistic.1234
Why — This would avoid costly and potentially ineffective compliance requirements while allowing time for research-based solutions.56
Impact — Environmental protection is delayed as textile industry seeks more research before accepting regulations.7
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European Textile Industry Urges Risk-Based REACH Regulation Over Hazard-Based Approach

1 Jun 2021
Topic — Revision of EU chemical registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction rules.
Message — The organization requests maintaining the risk-based restriction procedure rather than shifting to a hazard-based generic approach. They argue bans must consider safe use and substance-specific risk assessments, not just intrinsic properties. They also call for sector-specific economic assessments and harmonized test methods.123
Why — This would avoid unnecessary testing costs and prevent bans on substances posing no consumer safety risks.45
Impact — Small textile suppliers may cease production or relocate to Asia, weakening EU manufacturing.6
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Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

16 Mar 2021 · Pact for Skills roundtable with the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sectors.

Meeting with Thierry Breton (Commissioner) and

16 Mar 2021 · Skills roundtable on textile

European textile industry urges competitiveness focus in EU sustainability strategy

1 Feb 2021
Topic — EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles production and consumption.
Message — EURATEX requests the strategy address industry competitiveness and resilience alongside sustainability, covering research, innovation, digitalisation, and skills. They emphasize the need for realistic targets, policy coherence with industrial and trade strategies, and consideration of the entire value chain from clothing to technical textiles.123
Why — This would help them balance sustainability requirements with industry costs and maintain competitiveness.45
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EURATEX opposes deleting REACH restrictions for PFOA substances

25 May 2020
Topic — This consultation proposes updating chemical restrictions and testing methods under REACH regulations.
Message — EURATEX argues the current PFOA restriction was well elaborated. They emphasize the importance of maintaining thoroughly discussed industry derogations.1
Why — Retaining the entry ensures companies keep specific exemptions from chemical bans.2
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Meeting with Marius Vascega (Cabinet of Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius)

5 May 2020 · Circular Economy and textiles, Covid crisis

Meeting with Thierry Breton (Commissioner) and H M Hennes Mauritz AB and European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance

16 Apr 2020 · Assessment of the current situation in the textile industry following COVID-19

Meeting with Agnieszka Drzewoska (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

3 Feb 2020 · Discussion on textile and apparel industry

Response to A new Circular Economy Action Plan

20 Jan 2020

EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation welcomes and supports the ambition of the European Commission to design a new Circular Economy Action Plan, particularly the one focused on circularity in textiles. We commit to contribute in the policy making to deliver an ambitious and effective plan which truly supports large scale circular economy for textiles. Please find enclosed our considerations.
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Meeting with Christian Burgsmueller (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

14 Dec 2018 · EU-US trade relations

EURATEX urges longer deadlines for new EU chemical restrictions

8 Mar 2018
Topic — The European Commission is proposing restrictions on hazardous CMR substances in consumer textile articles.
Message — EURATEX requests a 36-month implementation period to ensure reliable testing methods are available. They also propose strictly following existing EU definitions for textile articles and increasing specific substance limits.123
Why — This gives companies legal certainty and more time to develop complex technical compliance tests.45
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Meeting with Paulina Dejmek Hack (Cabinet of President Jean-Claude Juncker) and European Chemical Industry Council and UNIFE

11 Jan 2018 · Industrial policy

Meeting with Paulina Dejmek Hack (Cabinet of President Jean-Claude Juncker) and European Chemical Industry Council and UNIFE

7 Dec 2017 · Industrial policy

Response to Carbon Leakage List 2021 - 2030

13 Nov 2017

In the revised Directive, no alternative methodology is foreseen for (sub)sectors with no trade data available for the calculation of the trade intensity indicator, and therefore the industry could not submit a quantitative analysis to qualify that sector to be at risk of carbon leakage. Indeed, only (sub)sectors which are considered as “borderline” sectors -according to the thresholds- could submit a qualitative assessment to be considered at risk of carbon leakage. As an example, the Textile Finishing (NACE 13.3) is an intermediate process in the textiles value chain and is not tradable (no trade data available). However, due to its emission intensity, its limited technical possibilities to further reduce its emissions, and its huge international competition, the finishing industry is a sector exposed to carbon leakage. Euratex is ready to contribute in terms of collecting and sharing the data necessary for a thorough impact assessment.
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Meeting with Paulina Dejmek Hack (Cabinet of President Jean-Claude Juncker) and European Chemical Industry Council and UNIFE

10 Nov 2017 · Politique industrielle

Meeting with Grzegorz Radziejewski (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)

2 Jun 2017 · Preparatory meeting for the Euratex General Assembly 8th June and Circular Economy

Meeting with Grzegorz Radziejewski (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)

7 Apr 2017 · Outreach for possible participation at the annual Euratex General Assembly

Meeting with Maria Elena Scoppio (Cabinet of Commissioner Pierre Moscovici)

13 Oct 2016 · disccussion on last developments on the Paneuromed Convention.

Meeting with Maria Asenius (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström), Nele Eichhorn (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

19 Feb 2016 · Trade policy in general and China MES

Meeting with Elżbieta Bieńkowska (Commissioner)

11 Jan 2016 · Textile Industry

Meeting with Kaius Kristian Hedberg (Cabinet of Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska)

21 May 2015 · European Textile & Clothing sector

Meeting with Jean-Luc Demarty (Director-General Trade)

30 Apr 2015 · Ongoing EU FTA negotiations.