The organization said in a press release that the Eco-Design Regulation aims to improve the environmental sustainability and circularity of products placed on the European Union (EU) market, including textiles as well.
The European Textile and Apparel Federation (EURATEX) has welcomed the progress of the Ecodesign Regulation but expressed concern about targeting the textile industry. This regulation aims to increase the circularity of products on the EU market, including textiles. There is also concern about the impact of the Industrial Emissions Directive on independent finishing plants.
Representing 160,000 European textile companies, EURATEX emphasized that a successful regulatory framework is based on a comprehensive and feasible approach, ensuring sufficient capacity and setting deadlines for businesses to adjust. Therefore, EURATEX welcomes the call of members of parliament (MEP) for appropriate support and smooth transition for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Strongly backed by EURATEX, the EP also strengthens regulations on market supervision, which is a key factor in ensuring a level playing field for EU companies in the single market.
As businesses find it difficult to navigate through all the ongoing legislative and policy initiatives, EURATEX expresses appreciation for the EP’s efforts to ensure the consistency of legislation, the lack of these policies can only create additional costs and administrative burdens for companies. The inclusiveness and transparency of the Future Eco-Design Forum has indeed received a positive boost.
EURATEX expressed its disappointment with the fact that the EP ignored the call for legislative consistency for substances of concern and to keep the ESPR in line with current chemical laws to avoid regulation. overlap or conflict. EURATEX has suggested that social sustainability aspects should be addressed within a due diligence regulatory framework.
Regarding future Ecodesign requirements for textiles, these will have to be based on reliable data and supported by thorough analysis and impact assessments. The requirements should be set forth in the Textile Specific Authorization Act and should be developed with stakeholders.
As the ESPR trial negotiations between the EP, the EU Council and the European Commission take place in the autumn, EURATEX will continue to emphasize the guiding principle of ‘fit for purpose’ rules and the balance between high environmental goals and the competitiveness of companies.
In addition, on 11 July, the EP’s position on the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) was adopted by the MEP with 396 votes in favor, 102 votes against and 131 abstentions. EURATEX has expressed its concerns about the text due to the inclusion of independent finishing plants in the scope of the new IED. This creates an inconsistency with the recently finalized BREF Textiles document (adopted by all parties in Sevilla), which regulates industrial emissions for both pretreatment and finishing plants. . Independent finishing companies, typically SMEs, now face challenges in complying with specifications originally designed for larger and disparate companies.
Fiber2Fashion (NB) News Desk
