#Europe

2020-12-10

Due diligence in the textile and clothing industry

Due diligence describes the process by which businesses are expected to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for adverse corporate impact on human rights and the environment. EURATEX recommends the EU to be guided by some principles like harmonization and proportionality.

The world’s textile and fashion industry is geographically widely dispersed. Global supply chains create jobs for some 60 million workers worldwide.

At present, the industry is under increased scrutiny, due to the various challenges related to the sustainability of production methods and overproduction. The current crisis caused by Covid-19 has created additional challenges for the textile and fashion industry.

Through continued investment and know-how transfer, European companies contribute to sustainable growth and employment in Europe as well as in developing countries, demonstrating a high degree of commitment and corporate responsibility.

The European textile and apparel industry reaffirms its commitment to responsible business conduct and sustainable development as defined by the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and by the OECD Due Diligence Guidelines for responsible business conducts in the textile value chain. By applying these guiding principles as guidelines for responsible business conduct, businesses can be drivers of positive societal change and can contribute to the fulfilment of the SDGs.

The concept of due diligence stands at the core of responsible business conduct. It describes the process by which businesses are expected to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for adverse corporate impact on human rights and the environment. As a trade association, due diligence constitutes a key component in our guidance to the industry. We support businesses in understanding and integrating due diligence procedures into business strategies and decision-making.

To achieve concrete progress in the due diligence practices while avoiding un-intended consequences, EURATEX stresses the following recommendations:

Harmonised approach needs to ensure legal clarity across the EU and avoid grey zones
Proportionality of measures should be assessed
Consideration of the role of SMEs
A ‘smart mix’ of measures to include incentives, valorisation of specific standards and support
Implementation should be reality driven

To read the full recommendations of EURATEX, read the latest position paper.

https://euratex.eu/wp-content/uploads/Due-Diligence-position-paper-HQ.pdf

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The European Commission today adopted new rules on recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles made primarily of polyethylene terephthalate (PET bottles). These rules establish, for the first time, a methodology to calculate, verify and report chemically recycled content. This is part of the Commission’s December 2025 plastics package.

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Aachen Summer School: Textiles become smart through 3D printing and origami

From 21 to 29 September 2026, the Aachen Summer School will transform Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University into a laboratory of the future: over the course of a week, students will use origami folding techniques and 3D printing to develop active textile structures capable of performing programmable movements. This interdisciplinary event combines theoretical foundations with practical prototyping – from digital modelling right through to functional textile prototypes.

Trützschler to showcase innovations in spinning preparation and nonwovens at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its latest fiber processing technologies at ITMA Asia in Shanghai, China. At Hall 5.1, Booth D20, the company will showcase solutions designed to increase productivity, simplify operations and improve efficiency across spinning preparation and nonwoven production. Key highlights include the automated can transport system T-CAN, the next-generation card TC 30, innovative card clothing solutions such as STEELTOP and SUPERFLOW, as well as advanced nonwoven technologies for hygiene, wipes and filtration applications.