The Europe Union wants to slow down the pace of fashion. By laying down a sustainable textile strategy the EU aims to tackle fashion’s environmental impact and labour abuses. The move was plainly summed up by Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, in a speech last year: “Fast fashion is poison for our planet.”

The strategy outlines that clothing garments should be easier to repair and more durable as part of a push to bolster environmental standards. Such standards would also require better quality fabrics and sewing to bolster garment longevity...

The EU is also calling for innovation in the sector, with producers taking responsibility for their products along the value chain with sufficient capacities for recycling and minimal incineration and landfilling.

Garments will be labelled so that clearer information on textiles and a digital product passport will inform consumers of each facet of the garments they purchase. It further empowers people to tackle greenwashing by ensuring the accuracy of companies’ green claims.

Ultimately the goal is to stop overproduction and overconsumption, and discourage the destruction of unsold or returned textiles...