EU Eco-label uptake
“Only 64 textile products are currently awarded the EU Eco-label, which says everything really,” Hedegaard noted, “this shows [there is] a clear lack of available choice on sustainable fashion [for consumers].”
In addition to lack of choice, Hedegaard also bemoaned the notion of ever increasing mass consumption, asking, “Is more always better? Surely it’s better to own fewer things of greater quality without stuffing up the closet with things we do not use?”
The presentation of the NICE framework for sustainable fashion to the European Commission was timed before the next round of discussions at next month’s Rio 20+ United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), on 20 – 22 June in Brazil.
“The topic of consumption will be on the Rio agenda and NICE has produced a good example (of a framework document) that can really show others the way forward,” Hedegaard concluded.
We’ll take a detailed look at what these proposals could mean for retailers, brands and the wider textile industry in the next issue of Ecotextile News magazine. CLICK HERE to make sure that you receive your regular copy.
