On the 11th May 2011 the European Parliament adopted the compromise text agreed before Easter with the Council of Ministers concerning the regulation on textile names and related labelling of textile products. Commenting on the Proposal EURATEX President, Mr. Alberto Paccanelli, said “I am delighted that finally after more then 4 years of work the common agreed text adopted on this sensitive subject is more in line with the reality of the industry requests. We have always advocated the need for improvements and simplifications of the existing regulatory framework in order to favour the development and the uptake of new fibres with a view of encouraging innovation in the textile and clothing industry while allowing fibre users and consumers to benefit faster from innovative products”.

Since years, Euratex advocated the need to modernise the Directives in place since the ‘70’s governing the textile labelling in order to harmonise the procedures in the Single Market. This regulation is a step forward into the right direction and further work is needed with the inclusion of revised CEN standards into the regulation.
 
But the compromise text between the European Parliament and the Council also invites the Commission to investigate the most complex issues supported by the European Parliament and this before September 2013. At that date the two studies requested by the legislator will be completed with possible legislative proposals to complement the adopted regulation. Mr. Paccanelli concluded stating that “Euratex is favouring transparent rules when informing the final consumers. However we should be careful with the level of information provided if we want to ensure sound and educated choice. This is why the industry will remain vigilant to avoid the risk of over-regulation.”

In the months to come the agreed text will undergo a legal revision and a translation in all the EU languages before a formal adoption by the Council hopefully at the end of the year. The new regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal. Despite this the EU Commission will start the procedures for tendering the studies as quickly as possible in order to be able to report to the Council by September 2013.

For further information contact:
Francesco MARCHI
Director General
Tel : +32.2.285.48.82
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