The recommendation calls for clearer information for consumers, actions to prevent greenwashing and misleading marketing, and better working conditions in the textile sector.
The Nordic Youth Council, which unites the youth wings of Nordic political organisations, drafted the original proposal. The Nordic Council Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region then developed it further before adoption.
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Reports indicate that Nordic countries have higher per capita clothing consumption than the global average, but only a small portion of donated garments are reused locally.
According to the European Economic Area, in 2019, 1.7 million tonnes of textiles were exported from high-income nations to low-income ones, while a study by McKinsey found that clothing in the Nordic region is often worn just 7–8 times before being discarded, and less than 1% is recycled through closed-loop systems.
Nordic Youth Council member Lone Kristiansen said: “Most consumers want to make more sustainable choices, but understanding what goes into products is too difficult. We can’t expect individuals to know everything about the whole production chain. It’s time for a more transparent system to help consumers make better decisions.”
Synthetic and fossil fuel-based materials have dominated global textile production, making up 62% of output and contributing to carbon emissions.
In Europe, as many as 600,000 tonnes of textiles are incinerated each year. The EU’s textile strategy, outlined in the Waste Framework Directive, aims to limit resource use by holding manufacturers accountable for the volume of clothing produced, destroyed, and exported.
In 2024, Nordic countries began working together on a framework for textile producer responsibility.
A new EU directive will come into effect in September, requiring improved consumer information on product sustainability.
In the Nordic context, the region already has established tools, including the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, a voluntary eco-certification scheme recognised by 97% of residents.
The Swan label evaluates the entire product life cycle and applies stringent criteria to textiles, such as recycling design, chemical restrictions, and limits on plastic or decorative materials.
The certification requires manufacturers to measure microplastic release, prohibits incineration of unsold items, enforces fibre content standards, and mandates compliance with International Labour Organisation conventions.
Though Nordic consumers recognise and trust the ecolabel, relatively few regional clothing brands have obtained this certification. The Council’s action now places renewed emphasis on using established schemes like the Nordic Swan Ecolabel to strengthen sustainability in the fashion industry.
