EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles
22.4.2022
Question for written answer E-001541/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Anna Cavazzini (Verts/ALE), Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Sara Matthieu (Verts/ALE)
In March 2022, the Commission presented its EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, outlining its response to some of the sector’s environmental and social challenges. However, the power asymmetry between brands and retailers remains unaddressed, with many of the former being located in the EU and many of the latter being located in non-EU low-wage countries. Suppliers often lack sufficient bargaining power or, for other reasons, cannot or do not defend themselves against unfair trading practices (UTPs). These have detrimental effects on labour rights and can contribute to forced overtime, low wages and temporary contracts.
In 2019, the first sector-specific EU regulatory framework on the issue of UTPs was agreed upon, namely the directive on unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain[1]. Yet, the power asymmetries that contribute to UTPs remain prevalent in many sectors.
- 1.Will the Commission develop a regulatory approach to tackle UTPs beyond the sector-specific directive?
- 2.Will it introduce a sector-specific directive to combat UTPs in the textiles, garments, leather and footwear sector?
- 3.Will it introduce other sector-specific instruments as part of a wider EU strategy on responsible business conduct?
- [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/633/oj