European Parliament shows red card to ‘out-of-control’ fashion industry

In April, MEPs on the Environment Committee backed a ban on the destruction of usable surplus stock and returned goods, action to reduce aggressive and false advertising, and setting material and consumption footprint reduction targets for the sector. They also called for the introduction of ‘Ecodesign’ requirements – which would apply to all textiles and footwear – and for a tightening up of liability to ensure the new rules would apply to imported products sold online.

A majority of 600 MEPs from all political groups have now voted in favour of this position. Legislation is due to follow that will attempt to combat the overproduction of textile goods.

The decision follows the European Commission’s proposal for its ‘Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles’ which was released one year ago. The strategy aims to make textiles more ‘durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable’ based on data that highlights the negative impact the textile sector has on the environment.

Emily Macintosh, Senior Policy Officer for Textiles at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), said: “MEPs from across the political spectrum have called time on overproduction of textiles by demanding action to prevent textile waste.
“Now we need the Commission to respond with a strong plan for managing and reducing the EU's soaring levels of discarded clothing.

“Companies must pay up for the textile waste they create, in particular, to fund the waste management burden being borne by countries such as Ghana and Kenya who receive unmanageable amounts of exported second-hand clothes from Europe.”

Valeria Botta, Head of Nature Protection and Restoration at Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS) said: “The European Parliament's message is loud and clear: the textile industry needs to change. It must respect social and environmental rights.
“The report highlighted the nonsense of destroying unsold, unused goods. This unethical practice must be banned as soon as possible for all products: textiles, clothes, footwear, and electronics.

“We congratulate MEPs for supporting the development of horizontal ecodesign requirements for textiles before focusing on individual products. Now, it's up to the European Commission to follow the Parliament's high ambitions and set binding reduction targets for the EU’s material and consumption footprints.”