EURATEX has released a Manifesto ahead of the June 2024 European Parliament elections, outlining 15 requests to ensure the competitiveness of the European textiles and clothing industry, emphasising entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability.
The industry currently comprises 192,000 companies, employing 1.3 million workers, with a turnover of € 167 billion and exports exceeding € 67 billion.
The Manifesto calls for a ‘smart’ EU industrial policy that prioritises competitiveness, urging a ‘competitiveness test’ for new legislation. It highlights the need for policies promoting education and jobs in the industry, as well as investment in innovation and digitalisation. Addressing the aging workforce, the manifesto stresses the importance of attracting and equipping young talent.
Regarding sustainability, EURATEX supports the EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles but calls for coherence, feasibility, and applicability in the 16 proposed regulatory measures. Concerns include potential market fragmentation due to varying national regulations and the need for realistic economic considerations.
The Manifesto also advocates for free and fair trade, emphasising the significance of open global markets for the EU’s € 224 billion textiles and clothing industry. It supports trade agreements that ensure effective market access, a level playing field, and protection against free riders.
Additionally, EURATEX proposes incentivising the demand for sustainable textiles by addressing the affordability challenge. It suggests standard requirements and fiscal incentives to encourage consumers to choose sustainable products, along with green public procurements by public authorities.
In summary, EURATEX’s Manifesto outlines key priorities for policymakers and industry stakeholders to bolster the European textiles and clothing sector, focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, free and fair trade, and incentivising demand for sustainable products.
According to Alberto Paccanelli, EURATEX President, “These elections are a turning point for the future of Europe and its industrial base. While some regions of the world are already taking measures to support their industry, Europe has been lagging behind. We need now a clear vision which brings us toward a greener and wealthier future. We need to reconcile these two objectives and bring with us major global partners because this transformation cannot be done by one region only.”