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European Branded Clothing Association

EBCA

The European Branded Clothing Association represents over 75 European retail clothing brands employing more than 160,000 people across 14 member companies.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Charlotte Merlier (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič) and Zalando SE and

19 Nov 2025 · Customs Union Reform, e-commerce

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

19 Nov 2025 · How to foster a more resilient, innovative, and globally competitive European textiles industry, in particular as regards aspects related to competitiveness and the Single Market

Meeting with Léon Delvaux (Director Trade)

18 Nov 2025 · Meeting of the Director with the EBCA

Clothing brands urge EU to unify circularity rules

6 Nov 2025
Topic — The consultation addresses a new EU act for sustainable production and circular economy models.
Message — The group seeks to ensure harmonisation and consistency across EU legislation to support the Single Market. They propose establishing a digital one-stop shop and updating legal definitions to recognise secondary raw materials. Finally, they advocate for a global value chain approach to achieve textile circularity.1234
Why — Unified rules and digital reporting would lower administrative complexity and compliance costs.56
Impact — Non-EU-based online platforms would face stricter enforcement of registration and compliance requirements.7
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Meeting with Raphaël Glucksmann (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

26 Sept 2025 · Generalised Scheme of Preferences

Meeting with Isabelle Perignon (Director Justice and Consumers)

8 Sept 2025 · Exchange of views on the French draft bill aimed at reducing the impact of the textile industry, notified to the European Commission

Meeting with Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea (Director Environment) and Zalando SE and H M Hennes Mauritz AB

4 Sept 2025 · Exchange of views on the French draft law on ‘reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry’ that was notified on 27 June 2025 to the Commission via the TRIS procedure

Response to Revision of the 'New Legislative Framework'

26 Aug 2025

You can find in the attached document the European Branded Clothing Association (EBCA) contribution to the call for evidence product legislation, ensuring futureproof rules (revision of the New Legislative Framework - NLF).
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EBCA Urges More Flexible Exemptions for Unsold Clothing Destruction

11 Aug 2025
Topic — EU rules prohibiting the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories, and footwear products.
Message — EBCA requests expanding derogations to include alternative dispute resolutions and internal performance standards. They also propose reducing the record-keeping requirement to a maximum of five years.123
Why — This would lower compliance costs and reduce the risk of regulatory overreach for retailers.4
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Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Commissioner) and

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

Clothing brands call for clearer EU unsold goods reporting rules

10 Jul 2025
Topic — New EU rules forcing companies to disclose destruction of unsold consumer products.
Message — EBCA recommends that responsibility should lie with the economic operator owning the goods when discarded. They want a specific list of product codes and the ability to combine reporting with existing sustainability audits. They also argue that unknown treatments should be separate from destruction.123
Why — This would reduce compliance costs by avoiding redundant reporting and clarifying liability.45
Impact — Environmental groups lose precise data as separating 'unknown' categories masks actual destruction rates.6
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Meeting with Laia Pinos Mataro (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné), Valentina Schaumburger (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

25 Jun 2025 · To present the European Branded Clothing Association (EBCA) discuss how EBCA can support the EU Textiles strategy, how to preserve the Sigle Market and achieve the balance between the competitiveness and objectives of the circular economy

Meeting with Denis Redonnet (Deputy Director-General Trade)

25 Jun 2025 · Latest global economic developments and on industry challenges.

Meeting with Dirk Gotink (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Jun 2025 · New legislative framework for products that is fit for the digital and sustainable transition

Meeting with Denis Redonnet (Deputy Director-General Trade) and

4 Jun 2025 · In his mission letter Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is tasked to “closely monitor the full enforcement of our trade agreements on market access and rules […]”.

Meeting with Charlotte Merlier (Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič)

7 May 2025 · E-commerce (trade and customs aspects)

Meeting with Elisabeth Grossmann (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

30 Apr 2025 · informal exchange

Meeting with Luis Planas Herrera (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

12 Mar 2025 · Textiles

Meeting with Nicolo Brignoli (Cabinet of Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis)

12 Mar 2025 · EU Competitiveness / Omnibus

EBCA urges EU to remove fragmented national product requirements

31 Jan 2025
Topic — The consultation seeks views on developing the EU Single Market Strategy 2025.
Message — They want national rules removed to ensure consistency with shared European standards. The group requests simpler reporting rules to reduce the growing load of paperwork. They call for better institutional cooperation and increased coordination between national customs authorities.12
Why — Harmonized standards would reduce operational costs by ending market-specific product relabelling.3
Impact — National governments lose their autonomy to set independent environmental labelling and waste standards.4
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Meeting with Majdouline Sbai (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

30 Jan 2025 · GSP Bangladesh

Meeting with Laia Pinos Mataro (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné), Valentina Schaumburger (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

23 Jan 2025 · Exchange of views on sustainability and competitiveness in EU textiles policy.

Meeting with Raphaël Glucksmann (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

9 Jan 2025 · Generalised system of preferences

Meeting with Dirk Gotink (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and FTI Consulting Belgium

5 Dec 2024 · EU customs legislation, e-commerce

Meeting with Iuliu Winkler (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Sept 2024 · EU Trade policy/ due diligence

Meeting with Jeannette Baljeu (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and eBay EU liaison office

17 Sept 2024 · Waste Framework Directive

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

13 Nov 2023

The European Branded Clothing Alliance (EBCA) welcomes the European Commissions proposal for a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD). EBCA recognizes that a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive can improve the environmental impact of the textiles industry and deliver concrete advantages for both the industry and the planet. However, EBCA would like to make the following recommendations to ensure that the Directive can contribute to the principle of a single market and support the ongoing efforts of the textile industry to boost its circularity: 1. To secure a harmonized implementation of the EPR schemes at European level it is necessary to provide guidelines for their implementation at EU-level. 2. Provide increased legal clarity and avoid overlaps with other EU legislation 3. Provide mechanisms by which producers can be incentivised to design for reduced impact 4. Ensure appropriate burden sharing
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Meeting with Róża Thun Und Hohenstein (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Municipal Waste Europe

11 Oct 2023 · Waste Framework Directive revision

Response to Revision of EU rules on textile labelling

29 Sept 2023

The European Branded Clothing Alliance (EBCA) welcomes the European Commissions proposal for a legislative initiative on the Textile Labelling Regulation (TLR) and is in favour of this revision, as it represents a significant step towards harmonisation. EBCA would like to present the following recommendations for the Commissions proposed revision of the TLR: 1. Support for establishing uniform definitions and compositions, which would greatly enhance clarity and consistency within the industry. 2. Maintain alignment with existing regulations, avoiding additional circularity and sustainability information beyond what has been agreed upon in the ESPR Delegated Acts. 3. Introduce a more efficient and transparent process for classifying and labelling novel fibres ready for commercial use. 4. To facilitate the uptake of recycled fibres and ensure precise consumer information, a suggested acceptance of around 5% (or higher) tolerance is recommended. 5. Given the global scope of the textile sector, it is crucial to consider international alignment and collaboration in the revision of the TLR. The Commission should ensure coherence with the World Customs Organisation and the current revision of the HS codes. Our members recommend adopting ISO standards as other accepted test methods in the revised Regulation 6. Greater clarity regarding products exempted from labelling requirements, by transitioning away from the list approach towards adopting a definition for exempt products. 7. Guarantee policy coherence in the revision of the TLR by considering that any digital information should be unified under one data carrier within the Digital Product Passport
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Branded clothing alliance urges single methodology for green claims

21 Jul 2023
Topic — The initiative requires companies to substantiate environmental performance claims using standardized footprint methods.
Message — EBCA recommends a single methodology and a harmonized verification process with time limits. They also call for a longer implementation period to allow for necessary adjustments.123
Why — This would reduce administrative costs and provide certainty for product development and marketing.45
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Meeting with Andrea Beltramello (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

24 May 2023 · Trade Policy strategy, free trade agreements, Generalised Scheme of preferences, trade and sustainable development

Meeting with Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and adidas AG

23 May 2023 · Forced Labour

Meeting with Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

14 Mar 2023 · Forced Labour ban

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and BUSINESSEUROPE and

8 Mar 2023 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Andrea Beltramello (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

29 Nov 2022 · Forced labour product ban, Generalised Scheme of Preferences

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion)

28 Nov 2022 · CSDDD

European Branded Clothing Alliance urges phased-in forced labor ban

20 Jun 2022
Topic — Proposed EU legislation to prohibit products made using forced labour in the single market.
Message — EBCA requests a phased-in implementation and a risk-based approach to sustainable sourcing. They suggest certifying best efforts instead of requiring proof that no forced labour exists.12
Why — This approach would shield companies from immediate penalties and reduce compliance costs.3
Impact — Human rights groups face higher evidentiary hurdles when reporting suspected forced labour violations.4
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Meeting with Cristina Rueda Catry (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

18 May 2022 · Enforcement and implementation of trade agreements Anti-coercion instrument Trade negotiations with Mexico and Mercosur and South Asia Counterfeiting

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion)

18 May 2022 · CSDDD

Meeting with Andrea Beltramello (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

21 Apr 2022 · Trade and sustainable development, due diligence, forced labour, Generalised Scheme of Preference

Response to Instrument to deter and counteract coercive actions by third countries

30 Mar 2022

The European Branded Clothing Alliance (EBCA) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) that is aimed at deterring and counteracting third country economic coercion actions against EU Member States and economic actors. EBCA members recognise the negative impacts that economic coercion in the form of trade and investment measures can have on competition and jobs, as well as on new business and investment opportunities and existing investments abroad. The EU must equip itself with tools to ensure economic deterrence to effectively address coercion by third countries, countering the weaponization of trade and investment policy. EBCA would like to provide some key considerations that should be taken into account by EU lawmakers during consideration of the Commission’s proposal in the ordinary legislative procedure: 1. The ACI should remain a trade policy tool and not a foreign policy tool. 2. Countermeasures must be an option of last resort. 3. Stakeholders must be involved in every step of the process. 4. Coordination with international partners is key. 5. Solidarity among Member States should not be automatic. 6. Better guarantees against trade wars must be included. 7. The Blocking Statute must be urgently reviewed.
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Meeting with Zaneta Vegnere (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

27 May 2021 · - open strategic autonomy - textile industry and trade - global supply chains - recover from covid-19 crisis

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

5 Nov 2020 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Jon Nyman (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

26 May 2016 · Possibilities to reform rules of origin, and market access challenges in Indonesia

Meeting with Léon Delvaux (Cabinet of President Jean-Claude Juncker)

20 Oct 2015 · Latest developments in the field.

Meeting with Jon Nyman (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

22 Apr 2015 · Trade policy priorities of the retail clothing sector