The EU recommends putting an end to the fast fashion

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have endorsed recommendations to support circular, sustainable, and socially equitable production of clothing items, according to the media reports.

Media reported that these recommendations were made by the Environment Committee of the European Parliament recently which aim to put an end to the fast fashion industry, categorized by high volumes of lower quality garments at low prices.

They also demanded stricter regulations to guarantee that textile goods supplied in the EU are long-lasting, simple to reuse, repair, and recycle, made of recycled fibers, and free of potentially harmful substances.

In a statement, the European Parliament noted that they emphasized the need of respecting human, social, and labor rights, the environment, and animal welfare across the textile industry’s supply chain.

Moreover, the Committee urged the Commission and EU nations to take necessary action to curtail overconsumption of apparel and footwear.

To help customers make ethical decisions, the guidelines call for a clear definition of fast fashion, more consumer education, and the implementation of a digital product passport, the statement added.

MEPs also asked for challenging, science-based goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the textile industry’s full lifecycle.

They urged the use of less energy and water in production processes, the avoidance of the use and release of hazardous materials, and the reduction of material and consumption footprints.

All textile and footwear products should adopt eco-design specifications as a top priority, they recommended.

It is necessary to modify the Waste Framework Directive to incorporate explicit goals for textile waste prevention, collection, reuse, and recycling, as well as the gradual phase-out of landfilling textiles.

The other recommendations included explicitly forbidding the destruction of unsold and returned textile products, stopping the practice of “greenwashing,” ensuring fair and ethical commerce and reducing the discharge of microplastics and microfibers into the environment.

The report was adopted with 68 votes in favour, none against, and one abstention. The recommendations are expected to be adopted in plenary before the summer.