EU news and archive

Business Coalition urges the EU to act now – Deemed Importer obligations must not be delayed to 2028

European traders and industry are deeply concerned about the rise of imports of small consignments. The introduction of the ‘deemed importer’ in 2028 comes too late. We call upon the EU and its Member States to introduce a legal obligation on foreign operators to appoint a legally responsible person or entity in the EU for e-commerce imports...

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Business

European competition plan overlooks textiles

The European Commission unveiled the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. In the presence of leaders from the Committee of the Regions (CoR), executive vice president Stéphane Séjourné presented an initiative designed to fundamentally strengthen the EU's competitive position against major powers such as China. Strategic...

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Business

EU-Mercosur trade deal to take effect despite legal hurdles

The free trade agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur bloc will soon move into provisional application, despite an ongoing review by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the move in Brussels following ratification by Uruguay and Argentina on Thursday. Provisional...

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Business

EU parliament halts implementation of customs deal with US

The European Parliament has formally suspended the implementation of the customs agreement between the US and the EU. The background to this is the new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, according to the chairman of the trade committee, Bernd Lange (SPD). “We want a clear assurance from the United States that they will adhere to the...

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Business

Trump's tariff defeat, new tariffs: EU assesses consequences

Following the US Supreme Court's decision against president Donald Trump's tariff policy, the EU and other countries are attempting to assess the precise consequences for the global economy. A special session of the legal service and the negotiating team, which was responsible for a customs agreement between the US and the EU, is scheduled for...

BusinessPress Release

Antwerp Declaration community urges EU leaders to deliver emergency measures as Europe’s competitiveness crisis deepens

EURATEX, representing the European textile and fashion industry, joins the Antwerp Declaration Community’s call on EU Heads of State and Government to adopt emergency measures that restore industrial competitiveness and deliver tangible results for Europe’s manufacturing base in 2026. The call was made at the European Industry Summit, which...

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Business

Unsold goods: EU bans their destruction, imposing a new model on fashion

A practice long considered a necessary evil in industrial fashion will become illegal from July 19. The EU will prohibit large companies from destroying their unsold clothing, footwear and accessories, ending the annual incineration and landfilling of millions of new items. Enshrined in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR),...

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News

The Fabricant receives European support for AI project to improve fashion industry

The European Union is providing financial support to the Amsterdam-based fashion-tech company The Fabricant for the development of an AI-driven initiative. In collaboration with the University of the Arts London (UAL), the Image to Pattern project focuses on automating the conversion of design sketches into production-ready patterns, according...

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Business

Tex-Eco Initiative: future-proofing Indian textile and garment exporters for global ESG compliance

India's Union Budget 2026-27, revealed earlier this week, outlines strategic shifts for the textile and garment industry to enhance its global supply chain role, focusing on value, sustainability and technology. The Tex-Eco Initiative was unveiled as one of the “Integrated Programme for Textiles"' pillars: It is designed to align Indian textile...

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SME Fund 2026 launched to help EU businesses protect intellectual property

The SME Fund 2026 was launched yesterday, February 2, to help businesses protect their intellectual property. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), with the support of the European Commission and the intellectual property offices of the EU member states, has launched a new SME Fund programme for 2026. This initiative is aimed...

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Business

Taxation of small Chinese parcels: EU moves to practical implementation

Brussels (Belgium) - The principle has been agreed, yet practical details remain to be settled. The 27 member states must find a provisional solution on Friday to tax the mountains of small Chinese parcels imported into the European Union “as soon as possible” in 2026. This move comes without waiting for the initial deadline set for 2028. Some...

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Business

Agreement reached on weakened EU supply chain law

The EU is set to weaken its European supply chain law, designed to protect human rights, even before its implementation. Negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament have agreed in Brussels that the regulations will now apply to a much smaller number of large companies, as announced by both parties. The amendment still requires...