Copenhagen, 5 June 2025
At the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall delivered a powerful call for joint action to transform the fashion and textile industry into a sustainable and competitive force in Europe. Drawing inspiration from the Øresund Bridge as a symbol of cooperation, she highlighted the urgency of building bridges between sectors, values, and communities—particularly during a time of global instability and environmental crisis.
Roswall underscored that sustainability is not a constraint but a driver of innovation and competitiveness. She praised the fashion sector’s growing momentum in embracing circular business models and stressed the importance of supportive policies, forward-looking regulation, and close collaboration between institutions, companies, and consumers.
A key focus was the environmental footprint of the textile sector, with Roswall citing alarming statistics on waste, pollution, and resource consumption. She argued for a mindset shift and joint responsibility, welcoming the emergence of circularity as a guiding principle. The Commissioner introduced several new EU-level initiatives, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the upcoming Circular Economy Act.
Roswall explained how these policies aim to improve product durability, recyclability, and transparency—across both EU-made and imported goods. She emphasised the role of tools such as the Digital Product Passport and the newly negotiated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme to hold manufacturers accountable and reward sustainable practices.
Acknowledging industry concerns over unfair competition from non-EU online sellers, Roswall called for stronger enforcement of EU rules through digital market legislation, customs reform, and potentially handling fees for small third-country parcels. She committed to reviewing all options to restore a level playing field.
In closing, Roswall stressed that beyond regulation, success depends on cooperation, ambition, and shared purpose. By acting together, Europe can lead the shift from linear to circular fashion, from environmental degradation to industrial renewal—turning barriers into bridges.
E-Summary by ChatGPT, prompted by Insight EU, based on the edited speech below
EU Commissioner Roswall’s speech at the Global Fashion Summit
“Check against delivery”
Good morning, and thank you for inviting me to speak at this year’s Global Fashion Summit. I’m especially glad to be back in Copenhagen—a city I know well from my time as Minister for Nordic Affairs. I look forward to returning many times later this year, when Denmark holds the EU Council Presidency.
This is a special moment to be here, as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Øresundsbron—the bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden just nearby. It is more than a piece of infrastructure: it is a powerful symbol of connection, cooperation and shared purpose. A symbol of what we can achieve when we build bridges—not only between countries, but also across sectors, values, and people.
Yet, we are not building these bridges in easy times. Geopolitical tensions are rising, the global order is shifting, and we face war in Europe, economic uncertainty, and climate disruption. As President von der Leyen recently said, building a stronger, more independent Europe means casting off old fears—and showing unity, ambition, and courage. That same spirit must now guide the transformation of our economy, including the fashion and textile sector.
This Summit is the perfect place to talk about the future of fashion—and more importantly, how we move from barriers to bridges. We must shape a sustainable future where textiles, fashion, and environmental care go hand in hand. Let’s use this morning to have a real conversation. I want to hear your ideas and learn how we can support you better. The transition to sustainable fashion isn’t just about rules. It’s about working together. Your sector proves that sustainability is not a barrier to growth—but a bridge to competitiveness, innovation, and inspiration.
Of course, there are challenges. Not everyone is at the same stage of the sustainability journey. But I see growing awareness and a sector in motion. We want to support this movement—by creating an enabling ecosystem and setting smart, forward-looking rules. One of the key areas is circularity. Keeping textiles in use longer reduces costs and dependencies, strengthens resilience, and lowers our footprint. Circular business models open new markets and help build a more future-proof economy.
In 2023, Europe’s clothing and textile industry generated about €170 billion in turnover and supported 1.3 million jobs. It’s a vital part of our industrial heritage. But it also faces serious environmental challenges: high consumption of water, land, raw materials and energy; emission of chemicals and microfibres; and enormous waste. EU citizens throw away 16 kilos of textiles per person each year. Every second, a truckload of textiles is landfilled or incinerated globally. Only a small share is reused or recycled. This has to change—and we can only do that together, through collective effort and a shift in mindset.
We’re already on the way. The shift to circular business models is underway. But circularity isn’t just about consumer awareness or innovation. It’s also about how products are made—how long they last, how easy they are to repair or recycle. Many companies are leading, and the EU is acting as well. One of our most important tools is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, with textiles marked as a priority. It will make products more circular, durable, and energy-efficient, and strengthen information flows through digital tools like the Digital Product Passport. These rules will apply equally to EU and imported goods—ensuring a level playing field.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. We need a clear vision for the entire sector and tailored rules for specific products. I invite all of you to contribute to this process. We’ve also just concluded negotiations on a new EU-wide Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles. It will support better product design, collection and waste reduction. It will be mandatory, while protecting small businesses and enabling Member States to use fee modulation to penalise fast fashion and reward sustainability.
I know many of you raise concerns about unfair competition—especially from online sales and imported goods in small parcels. Why do the right thing in Europe when others undercut on price and environmental standards? I hear you, and I agree. The EU and national authorities must do more. Many imported online products do not meet EU rules, undermining consumer protection and disadvantaging responsible businesses. We are looking at all options, including enforcement of the Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts, tighter customs controls, and handling fees for third-country parcels. I’ve asked my services to explore every possible solution.
Circularity is key to Europe’s future. Today, we use only 12% recycled materials. That must change. Next year, I will present a Circular Economy Act to unlock the business case for secondary raw materials and simplify obligations across the board. I need your input to make this work.
To conclude: even with the best policies, real transformation is about more than legislation. It’s about building bridges—to a more competitive, resilient and sustainable Europe. We have the talent, the innovation, and the values to lead. If we act together with ambition and purpose, we can shape the future of fashion and textiles in Europe. From barriers to bridges. From waste to wealth. From linear to circular. From words to action.
Thank you.
Source – EU Commission