Three major clothing organizations have released a series of recommendations for EU policy-making authorities aimed at accelerating circular practices in clothing, footwear and textiles.
The “Policy Center” launched by the “Sustainable Apparel Alliance”, the “European Sporting Goods Industry Alliance” and the “Global Fashion Agenda” released two position reports outlining policies Planners must focus on key principles as the industry transitions to a circular economy.
The “Policy Center” funded by the “C&A Foundation” was launched in May. The purpose of the center is to “unite the textile industry and its stakeholders” on the circular economy Goal moving forward. The three organizations represent more than 300 brands, retailers, manufacturers and other stakeholders.
The new position report focuses on “establishing the basic elements of a sustainable circular economy for textiles” and “a common framework for the extended responsibility of producers in the garment and footwear industries.” The latter outlines the necessary principles if EPR is to be implemented as a regulation for separate recycling of textiles until 2025.
Amina Razvi SAC Executive Director explains: Policymakers can impact the apparel and footwear industry at scale and achieve sustainability by prioritizing legislation and providing incentives to support the circular economy. change. These new policy reports reflect a comprehensive collaboration of industry experts through the Policy Hub to provide EU policymakers with an overview of how they can lead the way in reducing the harmful impacts of climate change on the environment.
Recommendations made in the first report on “Building Essential Elements for a Sustainable Circular Economy in Textiles” that EU policymakers should use when designing policies for a circular economy in textiles Existing tools. These include SAC’s HiggIndex, the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, science-based carbon reduction targets, and “sector-specific efforts” such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Making the Fashion Industry Circular Initiative “.
It also suggested that the EU should provide relevant incentives to recognize the value each entity brings in waste reduction, such as reducing value-added tax on services that extend product life , such as repairs or specialized washing; and promoting extended product use models to consumers, such as reuse or rental. Another idea is to encourage the use of recycled raw materials and compare the advantages and disadvantages of recycled raw materials compared with raw materials, with a view to making the use of recycled raw materials a financially feasible solution.
At the same time, the second report on “Common Framework for Extended Producer Responsibility in the Clothing and Footwear Industries” calls for EPR for the textile, clothing and footwear industries. The system provides a common framework:
˙Considering key learning and success factors from EPR implementation and existing EPR solutions;
˙Consider the characteristics of the industry and its broad portfolio of materials and products;
˙Effectively integrate the global value chain cycle of EPR work and implementation Strategies are consistent.
It also outlines the Policy Center’s policy principles that support the Common Framework. In order of priority, these principles include:
1. Clear and unified scope;
2. Clearly assign responsibilities to all stakeholders based on their role in the EPR system and their scope of influence;
3. Establish a sound system for all EPR stakeholders Monitoring, control and surveillance mechanisms, and establish equal rules;
4. EPR proportional financing with optimal transparency.
The key is that if circularity in the fashion industry is to thrive, a circular economy for textiles must be established, but This can only be achieved through progressive policies. I hope policymakers will use the new position paper as a way to inform the industry and accelerate circular fashion.
FESI Secretary General Jérome Pero added: I think the Policy Center is the most ambitious and practical think tank center that brings together policy suggestions from all parties and will support ready-made clothing and footwear. The industry is moving towards circular sustainability. If all stakeholders are involved, I believe Europe will once again become a policy-defining actor on today’s important challenges.
