Ahead of the European Parliament elections in June 2024, EURATEX has published a manifesto that outlines 15 demands to maintain the competitiveness of the European textile and apparel industry with a focus on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Presently, the industry consists of 192,000 businesses, employing 1.3 million people, with a € 167 billion revenue turnover and over € 67 billion in exports.
The Manifesto urges a “competitiveness test” for new laws and advocates for a “smart” EU industrial policy that puts competitiveness first. It draws attention to the necessity of investing in innovation and digitalization, as well as policies that support employment and education in the sector. In response to the aging workforce, the manifesto emphasizes the value of bringing in and developing new talent.
In terms of sustainability, EURATEX endorses the EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles but requests that the 16 suggested regulatory measures be coherent, workable, and applicable. Potential market fragmentation brought on by disparate national legislation and the requirement for practical economic considerations are among the worries.
The Manifesto also supports fair and free trade, highlighting how important open international markets are to the € 224 billion EU textile and apparel sector. It is in favor of trade agreements that guarantee fair competition, efficient market access, and safeguards against freeloaders.
Furthermore, EURATEX suggests tackling the affordability issue in order to stimulate demand for sustainable textiles. In addition to green public procurements by public agencies, it proposes standard standards and financial incentives to encourage consumers to purchase sustainable products.
