Brussels, January 9, 2026 – Ahead of the informal council in Alden Biesen, EURATEX rings the bell on the acute need of the following policy measures, if we are to safeguard the competitiveness of our textile companies.
1. Support entrepreneurship and reduce the cost of doing business in Europe:
We call for lower energy costs and stronger backing for energy-efficiency investments, alongside bespoke innovation funding for circular materials, recycling technologies, low-impact chemistry and digital traceability.
We must promote European products through public procurement and increased transparency, cut unnecessary red tape and ensure the voices of SMEs are heard across all textile-related policies.
Green and digital skills need real investments, as well as knit-tight cooperation between the industry and education, if order to attract the next generation of talent.
2. Promote free trade while ensuring fair competition, stronger market access, a level playing field, and a more resilient Single Market:
We call for stronger market surveillance and customs enforcement to ensure imported products meet EU environmental and social standards, while enhancing market access abroad and protecting our industry from unfair competition.
The EU must avoid fragmentation of the Single Market, promote nearshoring with Southern and Eastern neighbours, and work with like-minded countries in advancing our standards and values globally. Europe must not become a “green island in a global desert.”
3. Ensure that sustainability legislation will drive competitiveness not extra burdens:
We advocate for a sustainability legislation that is realistic, industry-compatible, and SME-friendly, built on clear timelines and which rewards genuine performance.
Simplification and predictability must be maximized, but all rules must be fully implementable and enforceable on every actor – including non-EU producers.
Our industry should help shape key-tools such as EPR schemes, the Digital Product Passport, fibre-to-fibre recycling and chemical restrictions, ensuring they truly respond to companies’ needs.
The European Textile and Apparel Industry represents 200,000 companies, 1.2 million workers, and €170 billion in turnover.