In March 2024, the European Parliament made strides in reducing waste with its report on the Waste Framework Directive, targeting food and textile waste. However, criticisms arose from NGOs like Zero Waste Europe, citing the absence of specific waste prevention targets.
The Ecodesign Regulation adopted in December 2023 sets sustainability standards for textiles, banning the destruction of unsold clothing and footwear, a common practice. Additionally, the Commission plans to revise the Textile Labelling Regulation by year-end to promote circularity through physical and digital labelling.
Other EU initiatives, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the Regulation prohibiting products made with forced labor, will also impact the textile sector by addressing environmental and social risks in supply chains and improving working conditions globally.
