New alliance strives to harmonise and evolve policy agendas, linking ambition with practical implementation across the textile value chain.
Copenhagen/ Brussels, 5th November 2026:
The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) and Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) have launched a strategic alliance to deepen their collaboration. The partnership brings together the voice of European textile and clothing manufacturing and a leading global convener of the fashion industry, with a shared ambition for a thriving, sustainable and competitive European textile and clothing industry.
Through the alliance, the two organisations will align their European and global policy agendas as closely as possible and coordinate supportive activities to promote sustainability effectively and efficiently across the textile and clothing value chain. The collaboration rests on a simple premise: each party brings unique capacity and capability, and together they can achieve more than either could alone.
The partnership comes at a decisive moment. Shifting consumer expectations, new regulation, margin pressure, geopolitical turmoil and innovation are colliding with escalating crises in climate, biodiversity, water and resources. Together, these forces are rewriting the rules of the fashion industry, changing business models, production systems, materials and the flow of capital. Business must find a new model to navigate this complex environment.
Regulation is now one of the most powerful drivers of change in this transition. The evolving legislative landscape brings both opportunity and complexity. EURATEX and GFA will work together to advocate for legislation that is ambitious, unified and workable in practice, combining high-level policy ambition with on-the-ground implementation across the value chain. Their goal is to help brands and manufacturers alike navigate the transition to a new fashion system.
The alliance will focus on aligning policy messages on circularity, recycling and textile waste. The organisations will also promote aligned global sustainability standards, foster dialogue between brands and manufacturers, and champion fair rules and a level playing field for the industry. They will also participate in each other’s flagship events – Global Fashion Summit and the Brussels Textiles Forum – convening critical stakeholders to drive cohesive action as well as organise joint events.
The collaboration will also support the further development of the Circularity Blueprint, launched earlier this year by Global Fashion Agenda in partnership with ReHubs. The ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem, advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy. EURATEX’s expertise and manufacturing network will support the translation of the Blueprint’s ambition into practical action on the ground.
Federica Marchionni, CEO, Global Fashion Agenda, said: “Legislation is a pivotal lever in unlocking the transition to a new fashion system, but accelerating the implementation of effective legislation requires a harmonised approach. Our alliance with EURATEX is designed to simplify policy efforts for the industry and policymakers by unifying our messages, activities and resources, and combining our strengths to drive even more impact at scale.”
Dirk Vantyghem, Director General, EURATEX, said: “The transition towards a more sustainable textile industry cannot succeed without a strong and competitive European industrial base. No single part of the value chain can deliver it alone. By joining forces with Global Fashion Agenda, we want to strengthen our common voice and advocate for policies that support both sustainability and competitiveness. Europe needs a united industry, ready to invest and innovate for the future.”
No single organisation can deliver the transition alone. EURATEX and GFA see this partnership as an open platform and welcome collaboration and alignment with other key industry stakeholders, from brands, retailers and manufacturers to recyclers, innovators, policymakers and civil society, who share the ambition of a sustainable, competitive, and circular textile and fashion industry.
EURATEX and GFA are already collaborating to host an event on incentives for circular business models. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
Notes to editors
About EURATEX
The European Apparel and Textile Confederation, as the voice of the European industry, aims to create a favourable environment within the European Union for the manufacturing of textile and clothing products. Textile and apparel manufacturing is an essential pillar of the local economy across the EU regions. EURATEX represents 200,000 companies with a turnover of €170 billion, employing 1.3 million workers.
About Global Fashion Agenda
Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) is a non-profit organisation with a vision of a net-positive fashion industry by 2050. GFA works to accelerate industry transformation by mobilising, convening and influencing the fashion ecosystem. It drives systemic change through a focus on circularity, climate action, and decent work throughout the global value chain.
GFA has been leading the movement since 2009 and presents the renowned international forum on sustainability in fashion, Global Fashion Summit, in core fashion regions around the world, influences policy through its advocacy efforts, publishes thought leadership, and implements impact programmes. Working in partnership with a wide ecosystem of brands, innovators, NGOs, policy makers, manufacturers, investors and more, GFA spearheads the fashion industry’s journey towards a more sustainable future.
Media contacts
EURATEX: giorgia.zia@euratex.eu
Global Fashion Agenda: press@globalfashionagenda.org