European Apparel And Textile Confederation

EU Legislative Interests

Detailed information on our priorities as well as all the Euratex staff and their dossiers can be found on our website: Environment: close monitoring of the policies impacting the sustainability of the textile and clothing industry among which: (a) the REACH policy and of the developments for areas of direct concern to the textile and clothing industry like the biocidal products, nanomaterials, flame-retardants, CMR, etc.; (b) the revision of the Textile BREFs; (c) the EU Flagship initiative for Garments and Footwear; (d) the Energy Package and the Consumer and Safety Product Regulation as well as the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). External Trade: EURATEX has pioneered the creation of a genuine Euro-Mediterranean free trade area and EURATEX continues to advocate for common rules for T&C products in the context of the Euromed Convention. As other major industry bodies, EURATEX urged the Commission to avoid an unbalanced outcome in the numerous Free Trade Agreements currently in negotiation. It provided detailed contributions in respect of trade related matters, on market access barriers and on all the FTAs of importance for the textile and clothing (e.g. Canada, Japan, USA, Vietnam, etc.). Intellectual Property Rights: EURATEX agenda covers inter alia the transposition of the EC Directive on the enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the member state; the support of the EU initiatives aiming at enhancing the IPR protection in third countries; the Trademark regulation, etc. EURATEX continue to be involved with other stakeholders and the Commission on the debate regarding counterfeit and pirated products including those sold on and via internet (e-commerce). Internal market: EURATEX monitors the implementation of the Textile fibres names regulations; the enforcement of the PPE Regulation; works in cooperation with other Fashion and High-end industries stakeholders in the context of the cultural and creative industries. Research and Innovation: EURATEX together with AUTEX (association of universities for textiles) and TEXTRANET (European network of textile research organizations) founded in 2013 the European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing. The aim is to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the European Textile and Clothing industry and to reinforce the position of Europe as a leading global player in the development and manufacturing of fibres, textiles, textile-based products and apparel. EURATEX provides also detailed contributions to the Commission in respect of the future EU research and innovation policies, coordinates a small number of research projects on behalf of the institutes and companies involved (e.g. in energy and water efficiency). Social matters: EURATEX took an active participation in the European Skills Council for Textile, Clothing, Leather and Footwear in cooperation with the Social partners, a Council dedicated to the Skill needs in those industries; developed an approach to help SMEs to cope with Corporate Social Responsibility. EURATEX participated in the regular EU Liaison Forums organised by the concerned Directorate General and worked on the multilingual classification of European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) focusing on the revision of the list of European skills, occupations and qualifications for the Textile, Clothing, Leather and Footwear sectors. Statistics: EURATEX maintains regular contacts with EUROSTAT in order to ensure that any nomenclature changes do not deprive the industry of access to information in the detail that it is required.

Communication Activities

Besides the annual General Assembly there is the "Euratex Convention" organised each year in a different member State.

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Member Of

INTERNATIONAL APPAREL FEDERATION (IAF) ALLIANCE FOR A COMPETITIVE EUROPEAN INDUSTRY (ACEI) EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM FOR THE FUTURE FOR THE TEXTILE AND CLOTHING AISBL (ETP) CENTRE D'INFORMATION TEXTILE/HABILLEMENT (CITH) TCLF Skills Council ReHubs

Organisation Members

www.euratex.eu/members

Additional Information

EURATEX is a lobby organisation, financed for 90% by member contributions. This budget is used nearly entirely to work on different topics covered by the transparency register, and explained above.