CEMATEX Strengthens EU, Global Advocacy
CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, has reinforced its role as the voice of the EU textile machinery industry by stepping up its presence with EU institutions and global stakeholders.
The organisation, now officially registered in the EU Transparency Register, is actively engaging with legislators on key policy areas, including the Eco-Design Regulation (Textile Delegated Act), the Waste Framework Directive and Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for apparel. CEMATEX is also participating in the EU Sustainable Textiles Transition Pathway and has joined the EU Textiles Ecosystem platform to strengthen collaboration across the sector.
On the global trade front, CEMATEX is lobbying against India’s proposed Omnibus Technical Regulation mandating compulsory certification for weaving and embroidery machines. It has called for postponement of the regulation while urging the European Commission to classify it as a Technical Barrier to Trade at the WTO. In parallel, it is advocating tariff-free access for EU textile machinery exports to India.
Within the EU, CEMATEX is intensifying efforts to curb non-compliant machinery imports. It has circulated guidance to all 27 EU Member State Market Surveillance Authorities and is forming a Machine Safety Committee to collect evidence of violations. Additional awareness campaigns are being developed for customs officers, trade unions and customer associations to highlight risks linked to unsafe imports.
“By engaging in EU decision-making and defending industry interests globally, CEMATEX is committed to ensuring a competitive, sustainable and innovative future for the European textile machinery industry,” said Alex Zucchi, President of CEMATEX.
CEMATEX, which represents nine national textile machinery associations, is also the owner of ITMA, the world’s largest international textile machinery exhibition.
