The European textile and apparel industry supports the EU’s climate objectives and recognises the role of the Emissions Trading System in reducing industrial emissions. However, the system must reward companies investing in decarbonisation rather than weaken their capacity to manufacture and compete in Europe. EURATEX represents more than 200,000 companies and 1.2 million workers. The…
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Austria’s textile and clothing sector continues to play an important role in manufacturing, with recognised strengths in technical textiles, medical applications, PPE, functional materials, workwear and specialised high-quality production. However, the industry is facing growing pressures from global competition, rising production and energy costs, climate change, digitalisation and labour shortages. With these challenges in mind,…
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On 11 June, EURATEX hosted the Brussels Textiles Forum 2026, bringing together 150 participants from the European textile and apparel ecosystem, EU institutions, industry, social partners and consumer organisations. Sponsored by Indorama Ventures, the event provided a timely platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sector. The Forum took place…
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Brussels, 29 May 2026 – Energy prices have become a decisive factor for the competitiveness of the European textile and apparel industry. In its position paper, EURATEX warns that high and volatile energy costs continue to place European manufacturers at a structural disadvantage compared with competitors in other regions. The textile sector represents over 200,000…
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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…
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Every week, textile factories close across Europe. Behind each closure: jobs lost, communities affected, strategic capabilities gone. EURATEX has released its latest Economic Update on the performance of the European textile and apparel industry in 2025. For the third consecutive year, the sector recorded negative results across all key indicators — production, turnover and employment…
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Brussels, 11 March 2026 – A coalition of European industry and retail organisations is calling on the European Union to close regulatory gaps in e-commerce imports. These gaps undermine fair competition, consumer safety and the Single Market. The organisations warn that the planned “deemed importer” system under the Union Customs Code will only apply in…
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Antwerp, 11 February 2026 – EURATEX, representing the European textile and fashion industry, joins the Antwerp Declaration Community’s call on EU Heads of State and Government to adopt emergency measures that restore industrial competitiveness and deliver tangible results for Europe’s manufacturing base in 2026. The call was made at the European Industry Summit, which brought…
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Brussels, 9 February 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…
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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…
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