European Commission news and archive

EU flags surge in unsafe Chinese cosmetics

Brussels has raised the alarm over a surge in unsafe cosmetic imports from China, with the European Commission warning on Wednesday that cosmetics now account for a third of all dangerous product alerts across the EU. The findings, published in the EU’s annual Safety Gate report—its rapid alert system for hazardous non-food products—highlight a...

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EU Postpones retaliatory tariffs on US products until mid-July

In the trade dispute with the US, the EU suspended the application of planned special tariffs on US products until July 14. With the corresponding publication in the EU Official Journal, the EU is implementing an announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She announced last week that the measure, which was originally...

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EU Clean Industrial Deal: Fashion and textile industry responds

The European Union's new agreement, the Clean Industrial Deal, is intended to help European industry move forward in times of high energy costs and global competition. The new deal also has implications for the fashion and textile industry – initial reactions from the industry are already emerging. In brief: The Clean Industrial Deal aims to...

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EU investigates Shein for possible consumer law violations

The European Commission is investigating Chinese online retailer Shein for possible violations of European consumer law. The Commission is investigating whether the online platform Shein is taking sufficient steps to prevent consumers from being harmed by unfair or misleading terms. The investigation is being carried out by national consumer...

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Is the EU simplifying or weakening corporate sustainability standards?

The European Union has introduced a raft of sustainability regulations to ensure that companies meet certain due diligence and reporting standards. But recent political moves have raised concerns that these laws, still in their infancy, could be weakened before they are even properly implemented. This raises an important question: could the EU...

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The future of fashion: is less more?

A confession. My original research question was, “What if the fashion industry simply made less clothes?” (Over)production, reducing speed and seasons could be the answer to almost everything?!, was my thought process. As in: for sustainability in the clothing sector and more broadly: in the pursuit of a circular economy (see text frame below)....

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Navigating the EU's new mandate: Comprehensive insights for the fashion industry

The European Union’s upcoming legislative changes, following the 2024 elections, are expected to have a major impact on the fashion industry. This topic was recently explored in depth at a Global Fashion Agenda session, where a distinguished panel, including members of the European Parliament, experts in sustainability policies, and European...

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European Commission introduces partial ban on PFAS use in clothing

Several years after the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden took steps to ban PFAS substances from the EU, a partial ban has now been introduced by the European Commission. It concerns a subgroup of PFAS (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances), according to a statement from the commission. The ban will specifically apply to...

Fashion

EU targets fast fashion e-commerce with new customs regime

The European Union is set to overhaul its customs regulations, targeting the burgeoning low-cost e-commerce sector in a move that could significantly impact global online retail giants and consumer shopping habits. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was re-elected for a second five-year term last week, announced the...

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EU court rejects TikTok challenge against new EU digital rules

TikTok lost an appeal Wednesday to escape new digital rules that seek to rein in the power of big tech after an EU court rejected its challenge. A landmark European Union law known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) entered into force in March, and regulators believe it will create a fairer market. The European Commission designated six...

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Forever chemicals on the EU agenda: Key insights for the fashion industry on upcoming PFAS restrictions

Brussels - According to a 2024 study by Dr. Harrad, professor of environmental chemistry at University of Birmingham, PFAS can enter the skin’s fluids (like sweat and oils) by environmental media transmission (such as indoor dust), where they can then be absorbed via the skin and enter the bloodstream. With its upcoming legislative initiatives,...

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EU dismisses case against fashion companies accused of ‘cartel’ practices

Antitrust regulators for the European Union (EU) have reportedly scrapped an investigation into a group of fashion companies that it had raided over claims of “cartel practices”. According to a report by the European Commission seen by Reuters, the dismissal of the two-year investigation was down to “priority reasons”. The competition watchdog...