EU news and archive

Unsold goods: EU bans their destruction, imposing a new model on fashion

A practice long considered a necessary evil in industrial fashion will become illegal from July 19. The EU will prohibit large companies from destroying their unsold clothing, footwear and accessories, ending the annual incineration and landfilling of millions of new items. Enshrined in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR),...

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The Fabricant receives European support for AI project to improve fashion industry

The European Union is providing financial support to the Amsterdam-based fashion-tech company The Fabricant for the development of an AI-driven initiative. In collaboration with the University of the Arts London (UAL), the Image to Pattern project focuses on automating the conversion of design sketches into production-ready patterns, according...

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Tex-Eco Initiative: future-proofing Indian textile and garment exporters for global ESG compliance

India's Union Budget 2026-27, revealed earlier this week, outlines strategic shifts for the textile and garment industry to enhance its global supply chain role, focusing on value, sustainability and technology. The Tex-Eco Initiative was unveiled as one of the “Integrated Programme for Textiles"' pillars: It is designed to align Indian textile...

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SME Fund 2026 launched to help EU businesses protect intellectual property

The SME Fund 2026 was launched yesterday, February 2, to help businesses protect their intellectual property. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), with the support of the European Commission and the intellectual property offices of the EU member states, has launched a new SME Fund programme for 2026. This initiative is aimed...

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Taxation of small Chinese parcels: EU moves to practical implementation

Brussels (Belgium) - The principle has been agreed, yet practical details remain to be settled. The 27 member states must find a provisional solution on Friday to tax the mountains of small Chinese parcels imported into the European Union “as soon as possible” in 2026. This move comes without waiting for the initial deadline set for 2028. Some...

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Agreement reached on weakened EU supply chain law

The EU is set to weaken its European supply chain law, designed to protect human rights, even before its implementation. Negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament have agreed in Brussels that the regulations will now apply to a much smaller number of large companies, as announced by both parties. The amendment still requires...

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Amnesty International calls on textile giants to protect workers' rights

On Thursday, the NGO Amnesty International called on global textile companies and the governments of four Asian countries to take action to protect workers' rights and ensure decent wages. In two reports published on Thursday, the NGO states that fashion brands manufacturing in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka must urgently take...

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EU Commission plans to reduce internet cookie clicks

Internet users should have to make fewer clicks for cookie settings in the future, according to the European Commission. Despite massive criticism from data protection advocates, the authority intends to address further digital regulations. It plans to weaken the European AI Act, as announced in Brussels. The comprehensive package aims to...

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EU backs small parcel duties to tackle China import flood

EU states on Thursday agreed to scrap a bloc-wide duty exemption on low-value orders from the likes of retail giants Temu and Shein to help tackle a flood of cheap Chinese imports. Currently there is no levy on packages worth less than 150 euros ($174) imported directly to consumers in the 27-nation bloc, in many cases via Chinese-founded...

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How can brands and retailers navigate EU textile and garment regulations?

In the European Union, a person consumes on average 19 kilograms of textiles per year according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). Of those, 8 kilograms are clothing, 7 kilograms are household textiles and 4 kilograms are shoes. “Nineteen kilograms basically compare to what can fit in a large travel suitcase,” compared EEA expert on...

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Eurozone: Economic sentiment improves slightly

Economic sentiment in the Eurozone improved slightly in September. The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) rose by 0.2 points to 95.5 points compared to the previous month, as announced by the European Commission in Brussels on Monday. Economists had expected 95.2 points. The ESI therefore remains below the long-term average of 100 points. The...

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European textile federations call on the EU for "urgent action" against ultra fast fashion

Paris - "Without delay", "immediately": European textile and clothing companies "can no longer wait years for measures to be taken against ultra fast fashion", they write in a joint letter to the European Commission. Fashion and textile players are growing impatient with the slow legislative response to Shein, Temu and AliExpress. These large...