The fashion, clothing, and textiles sectors are at a pivotal moment, with increasing focus on sustainability and circularity. This workshop is organised by The Centre for Sustainable Design at University for the Creative Arts, in collaboration with ECOSYSTEX as part of the EU Just Fashion project. Just Fashion is funded by the European Union in the framework of the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 101178623. Just Fashion aims at accelerating climate transition in the fashion industry, by providing businesses in the partner countries with a reference framework and tools to shift their production methods, internal procedures and final products towards more sustainable models that are low carbon, circular and socially inclusive.
The objective of the webinar is to share information, knowledge, and experiences regarding the evolving landscape of European Commission and Member State regulations and standards impacting the circularity of the fashion, clothing, and textiles sectors. Just Fashion will explore both sector-specific initiatives and broader horizontal policies, with a particular focus on understanding compliance challenges and the impact of these initiatives on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), supply chains, and suppliers in key manufacturing countries. Through collaborative discussion, we aim to foster a shared understanding of current and emerging policies, exchange practical insights, and identify key knowledge gaps for future collaboration and learning.
Agenda
10:00 - 10:15 Welcome & Introduction: Aims of the Just Fashion Project and ECOSYSTEX and the day's objectives.
Introductions
Just Fashion Project | Professor Annick Schramme, University of Antwerp
ECOSYSTEX | Kamilla Drubina, European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing
Objectives: share information, knowledge, and experience related to EU and Member State regulations concerning circularity policy, regulations, and standards in the fashion, clothing, and textiles sectors | Chaired by Professor Martin Charter, The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA
10:15 - 11:00 Overview of EU policies and standards in the Circular Economy impacting the Clothing, Fashion and Textiles sectors | Professor Martin Charter & Dr Virginie Litaudon, The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA and Karin Eufinger, Centexbel
11:00 - 11:45 Round table: EU-funded ECOSYSTEX member projects present and discuss current issues and experience in regard to EU policies and standards
Moderated by Professor Martin Charter, The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA
Participants will highlight:
EU-funded project overviews.
Policy and standards interests, experiences, and issues.
Compliance issues for:
Large businesses
SMEs
11:45 - 12:00 – Break
12:00 - 12:45 - Small Group Discussion: Identifying Knowledge Gaps and Future Needs
Moderated by Professor Martin Charter, The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA and Karin Eufinger, Centexbel
Identifying key knowledge gaps related to current and emerging EU and Member State policies and standards impacting the sector.
Explore future discussion needs and potential areas for collaboration.
12:45 - 13:00- Summary of the day’s learnings and next steps | Professor Martin Charter, The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA and Karin Eufinger, Centexbel
o Recap of shared understanding of current and emerging EU and Member State policies and standards.
o Summarise key insights and knowledge exchanged among participants.
o Discuss how to strengthen connections for ongoing collaboration, networking, and learning.
o Outline actionable next steps and potential follow-up activities.
The event is free of charge, but you need to register via virginie.litaudon@uca.ac.uk by sending your name, job title, project name and organisation