Press release | The European Commission’s first Working Plan for implementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) has been published. It confirms the list of priority products this policy will tackle first to improve their sustainability – with almost all products on the EU market due to be covered eventually. The list includes textile apparel, furniture, mattresses, tyres, iron and steel, and aluminium.
Press briefing | By 19 April, the European Commission will adopt its first Working Plan to implement the new EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). It will confirm which products will be addressed first before developing performance requirements to improve their environmental sustainability – including measures on durability and repair. The Working Plan will supplement other ongoing work on ESPR implementation, such as a ban on the destruction of unsold goods. What can we expect and when? Find out in our Q&A.
The textiles industry is too big to be sustainable. In our report we unpick the unsustainable and unfair status quo and reimagine a sector that uses fewer resources but promotes more creativity and collaboration, ensuring dignity and social justice for all.
We have a number of open calls for experts across various topics. Our experts provide us with technical and scientific input and represent ECOS in standardisation processes and multi-stakeholder discussions. ECOS experts can participate in technical meetings for standardising bodies, such as CEN/CENELEC or ISO or prepare technical input for ECOS position papers and our responses to consultations.
ECOS is seeking experts on chemicals in textiles to represent and defend environmental interests in the development of standards and related policies. Our experts provide us with technical and scientific input and represent ECOS in standardisation processes and multi-stakeholder discussions.
The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles adopted in 2022 and its complementary parliamentary resolution represented a landmark moment on the road to more accountability in the textile sector. At the same time, it fell short on ambition. This is why in this new legislative cycle, policymakers must continue to build a fair and sustainable sector.
The EU Regulation on Textile Labelling was adopted over ten years ago. It is high time to revise and update this regulation to reflect the increasing negative impacts of the textile sector, growing consumer awareness, and a rise in greenwashing as well as scientific and technological developments.
The proposal for a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive addresses some key waste streams in need of urgent attention. The proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles is a first step towards holding producers accountable for the products they place on the market. In our joint letter we point out some grave shortcomings of the proposal and call on policymakers to fully implement the 'polluter pays principle' to stem the tide of textile waste in the EU.
Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) prescribe a set of social, economic, and/or environmental requirements that producers, traders, manufacturers, retailers, or service providers can voluntarily comply with to make their production and processing practices sustainable. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of VSS can help us to learn lessons. Read our new technical paper to find out more!
Sustainable sourcing of fibre and sustainable agriculture practices (starting with agroecology and organic) are integral to transforming the textile industry into a more environmentally and socially responsible sector. Read more in our new technical white paper: 'A look into fibre sourcing: Overview of natural and synthetic fibres'.
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
