-Labeling regulation and transparency tools in the textile industry were discussed.
-In a competitive, resilient and innovative sector, it is crucial that producers take responsibility for their products along the entire value chain.
Finnova attended last June 4th the Textiles Ecosystem Stakeholder Event in Brussels. The Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European Commission organized this important event for stakeholders, which served both to facilitate connections and for the Commission to present its updates on the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.
During the event, a networking lunch was held to discuss projects such as CircularInnoBooster Fashion and Textile (F&T) and the CirCoAX accelerator, designed to drive and transform businesses in the F&T industry towards regenerative, circular and sustainable models through an innovative and progressive approach.
On the one hand, @Amaryllis Verhoeven, Acting Director of the European Commission, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, talked about the sustainable and competitive textile ecosystem. This was followed by current topics in Brussels, including Ecodesign for Sustainable Products, Waste and Waste Shipment. Antonio de Sousa Maia, from GROW G1, highlighted textile labeling and its regulation, as well as the various transparency tools in the textile industry.
In addition, topics such as market surveillance, counterfeiting and intellectual property rights, as well as the Transition Roadmap for the Textile Ecosystem were raised. In this panel, representatives from leading brands such as Inditex (Chad Jeudy) and Adidas (Diego Antoncic), among others, shared their companies’ commitment to a greener and more circular future, as well as their best practices.
Later, a panel focused on the future of the textile ecosystem, with the participation of textile associations within the Horizon Europe program. In addition, Dirk Vantyghem’s intervention was highlighted in relation to the European Skills Pact for the Textile Ecosystem.
In summary, the key points to consider are that, in a competitive, resilient and innovative sector, producers take responsibility for their products along the value chain. In addition, this quote prompted reflection on “Fast fashion is old-fashioned” where consumers benefit longer from high quality textiles.