Effective market surveillance is essential to ensure that all textile products sold in the EU comply with safety, environmental and consumer protection rules. It is also a key condition for fair competition in the Single Market.
Today, European textile companies operate under some of the world’s most demanding regulatory requirements. However, enforcement of these rules remains uneven across Member States and sales channels. As a result, non-compliant textile products continue to enter the EU market, often through online platforms and small consignments.
This situation creates a clear imbalance. Companies that comply with EU rules face higher costs, while non-compliant operators gain a competitive advantage. Weak enforcement therefore undermines both consumer trust and the credibility of EU legislation.
EURATEX calls for a significant strengthening of market surveillance across the EU. Enforcement must cover all sales channels, including e-commerce, where surveillance tools and resources have not kept pace with market developments. Better cooperation between customs authorities and market surveillance bodies is essential to detect and stop non-compliant products at the EU’s external borders.
Clear responsibilities must also apply to all economic operators. Online marketplaces and fulfilment service providers play an increasingly important role in placing textile products on the EU market and should be required to ensure product compliance.
Stronger market surveillance is also necessary to support the EU’s sustainability objectives. Ambitious environmental and chemical rules can only deliver real benefits if they are properly enforced. Otherwise, they risk increasing costs for compliant companies without improving environmental outcomes.
A well-functioning market surveillance system helps protect consumers, support compliant businesses and ensure a level playing field. EURATEX therefore urges EU institutions and Member States to prioritise enforcement, improve coordination and ensure that all products sold in the EU market are subject to the same rules.
Full position paper.