On 12 May 2026, the event “Product compliance, customs and digital reforms” took place at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, enforcement authorities and industry representatives to discuss one of the most urgent challenges facing the European textile and clothing sector: how to ensure that products entering the EU market comply with European rules.
The debate focused on the rapid growth of non-compliant products entering the EU through e-commerce and ultra-fast-fashion platforms. This trend raises serious concerns for consumer safety, fair competition, customs enforcement and the competitiveness of European industry. Participants underlined that the issue is no longer limited to isolated infringements, but has become a structural challenge requiring a coordinated European response.
Opening the event, François Kalfon, Member of the European Parliament, warned that Europe risks becoming a destination for cheap, unsafe or non-compliant goods from third countries. He stressed the importance of linking customs reform, market surveillance and industrial competitiveness, while highlighting the potential to increase textile production in Europe through innovation and automation.
In her keynote intervention, Isabelle Pérignon, Director at DG JUST, emphasised that consumer protection and a level playing field must go hand in hand. With millions of parcels entering the EU every day, national authorities can no longer address the challenge alone. She pointed to several key EU initiatives, including the Digital Services Act, the General Product Safety Regulation, the Union Customs Code reform, the Market Surveillance Regulation and the upcoming European Product Act.
The panel discussion, moderated by Kathrin Jaenecke, EURATEX Director for Trade and Industrial Policy, confirmed that enforcement remains the central challenge. Speakers highlighted the need for more strategic and coordinated controls on e-commerce, stronger action against customs fraud and unpaid duties, and better use of data to ensure that online platforms comply with EU rules.
Participants also discussed the contradiction between Europe’s sustainability ambitions and the mass import of ultra-cheap, disposable apparel. Mario Jorge Machado, President of EURATEX, stressed that the European textile industry is not calling for protectionism, but for equal enforcement and a genuine level playing field. Products sold online into the EU should meet the same safety, environmental and consumer protection standards as those produced or sold by European companies.
The event concluded that the EU must act urgently and coherently across customs, digital regulation, consumer protection, taxation and product safety. Key proposals included bringing forward the implementation of the deemed importer principle, ensuring clear responsibility for economic operators, and setting the future EU e-commerce handling fee at a meaningful level, with revenues reinvested into customs and market surveillance authorities.
The discussion also identified the Digital Product Passport as a promising tool to connect product information with customs and simplify compliance checks for both businesses and authorities.
Overall, the event confirmed that fair competition, consumer safety and European industrial resilience are inseparable objectives. Strengthening EU textile product compliance is essential to protect consumers, support responsible businesses and preserve Europe’s industrial base.