EU Launches Sustainable Textile Working Group To Drive Circular Transition
The European Parliament has launched a Sustainable Textile Working Group to promote a fair and circular transition in the textile sector. The initiative was co-hosted by MEPs Saskia Bricmont, Barry Andrews, and Lara Wolters and brought together key civil society organizations, including the Changing Markets Foundation, Clean Clothes Campaign, ECOS, European Environmental Bureau, Fair Trade Advocacy Office, Fashion Revolution, and industriAll Europe.
The working group aims to tackle challenges in textile reuse and waste management while advocating for greater recognition and support of social enterprises leading in recycling and reuse. The coalition emphasized the urgent need for policy action to back social and circular enterprises involved in textile waste prevention and management.
Earlier this year, social enterprises such as RREUSE, Ressources, Emmaüs Europe, and TESS GEIE demonstrated at the European Parliament, calling for immediate action on textile waste. RREUSE alone handles 337,000 tonnes of textiles annually, facilitating the local reuse of 47,000 tonnes.
The launch follows recent EU efforts to strengthen sustainability in textiles, including the European Commission’s adoption of new rules to scientifically assess the environmental impact of clothing and shoes across their lifecycle. In April 2025, the EC also issued a draft regulation to restrict the use of nonylphenol ethoxylates in textile products.
