European Fashion Alliance Organized a Policy Round Table in Brussels

The EFA Fashion Policy Round Table, held on December 4, 2024, under the patronage of Dr. Christian Ehler, MEP, and with the esteemed presence of Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, highlighted the importance of shaping nuanced regulations that respect the creative identity of fashion while fostering innovation and sustainability.

“Fashion isn't just about creating objects; it's about creating dreams and embracing the art of constant reinvention. In times of societal transformation, these dreams are more essential than ever. The European Union and its institutions must actively support and nurture this spirit of creativity and innovation. Achieving this, however, requires a strong partnership between politics and industry. But the task to reach the mandatory climate target reduction of 55% is not only for lawmakers: also the fashion sector and industry has to make serious efforts on larger scale to achieve our common goals.” - Dr Christian Ehler, Member of the European Parliament. “As a new Commissioner, I want you to know that my door is always open. The transition to sustainable fashion isn't just about regulations - it's about collaboration, innovation, and shared vision.” - Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.

At a critical juncture for Europe’s fashion sector, the European Fashion Alliance (EFA), which gathers European Fashion Councils, is committed to advocating for the singularity of the European creative fashion industry and its economic, social and cultural power. Founded in 2022, EFA stands as a collective voice, empowering the transition of European creative fashion towards a more sustainable, innovative and inclusive future. The power of the creative fashion sector in the sustainability debate is undeniable. Designers and creatives have already led the charge in promoting sustainable practices, pushing for environmental and social change. The full accomplishment of the sector, and particularly the SMEs, requires a fruitful dialogue leading to an adapted European legislative framework.

The “Status of European Fashion” Report 2024 includes a statement of values, an industry survey and a manifesto of recommendations. The survey was conducted by EFA stems from a study conducted with 211 industry representatives, carried out in a collaboration with EFA’s 27 Members. The European fashion industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by the need for sustainability, technological innovation, and workforce development. The sector faces growing pressure to address environmental impacts, adopt new technologies, and ensure its workforce is prepared for future demands.

The ten recommendations established by EFA aim at value European creativity and power, measuring sustainability in a fair way, giving accurate and fair information to consumers. The two panels emphasized the importance of creation, quality and heritage, altogether key drivers of sustainability. They also underlined the urge to drive towards sustainability, the importance of crossing skills and building bridges within the fashion ecosystem in link with public authorities. They also addressed the importance of R&D policies and of the digital transformation, enhanced by artificial intelligence, in particular in the perspective of the Digital Product Passport.

While there is a strong desire within the industry to embrace sustainable practices, many brands face significant barriers, such as a lack of knowledge, financial resources, and skilled personnel. Overcoming these challenges requires clear regulations, financial support, and incentives to help companies transition to a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable business model.

The Status of European Fashion Report 2024 is available for download here.