In June 2023, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) proposed stricter EU measures to address the overproduction and consumption of textiles. The Parliament’s report emphasizes the importance of producing textiles in a way that respects human, social, and labor rights, as well as the environment and animal welfare.
The EU has established an EU Ecolabel that allows producers who meet ecological criteria to label their products. This label helps consumers identify items that contain fewer harmful substances and contribute less to water and air pollution.
In 2018, the Parliament approved a waste directive aimed at addressing textile waste. The Commission’s strategy includes measures to reduce hazardous chemicals in textiles and urges producers to take responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycle, including disposal. The goal is to empower consumers to choose sustainable textile products.
In March 2024, the Parliament proposed changes to textile waste rules, including the introduction of extended producer responsibility schemes. This means that textile producers must cover the costs of collecting, sorting, and recycling their products. MEPs advocated for a shorter timeline for implementing these schemes compared to the Commission’s proposal.
MEP Anna Zalewska from Poland highlighted the need for a target to reduce textile waste and called for improved infrastructure for separate textile collection and waste sorting. The aim is to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of textiles sent to landfills or incinerators.
The next steps involve negotiations with the Council, which will be carried out by the newly elected Parliament following the European elections in June 2024.