EU’s Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius is pushing for textiles regulations around sustainable production of clothing to be in place by 2028. Credit: Getty Images.

According to Reuters, the European Commission wants all regulations based on producing ‘more sustainable’ clothes to be in place within the next five years.

It says the Commission is focused on tackling textile consumption in Europe, given it has the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate.

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In a tweet following his appearance at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, Sinkevičius said it was time to address how “we can turn things around and make a difference.”

He continued: “Doing nothing is not an option anymore and the industry’s presence here gives hope for change.”

At the summit he explained the fashion industry has escaped regulations through loopholes but the mounting pressure on natural resources as well as pollution cannot be ignored.

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The Commission is said to be drafting at least 16 pieces of legislation that will hold fashion companies and brands responsible for the environmental impact of the clothes they produce.

EU takes on fashion waste problem

Given the measures are expected to be in place in the next five years Sinkevičius highlights that it will be a “challenge” for fast fashion brands.

The Reuters report explains the EU Commission will require fashion companies to either collect an amount of textile waste that is equivalent to a certain percentage of their production or pay a fee towards local authorities’ waste collection work. It continues that this amount will gradually increase every few years.

While the EU Commission is still working on finalising the details and percentage that fashion companies will have to collect, Sinkevičius said: “It definitely will be higher than 5% of production.”

The EU’s goal, by 2030, is to push fashion companies to produce circular textiles that are durable, can be easily reused and recycled.

Last month, European Members of Parliament backed a draft proposal to ban misleading green claims on products aimed at combating a rise in greenwashing from brands and retailers.

The proposal restricts brands’ use of sustainable claims to advertise clothing. It estimates that half of these claims, or “eco-labels” are misleading with the commissioner suggesting the law could come into force at the beginning of next year.

Additionally, on 22 May European Union governments reportedly agreed the bloc should ban the destruction of unsold textiles. The decision aligns with the EU’s commitment to reducing waste and promoting greater reuse and recycling practices.

During the Global Fashion Summit Sinkevičius said the ban rule would take “six months or even more” to be implemented.