The European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President, reaffirming a leadership continuity strategy as the sector navigates a complex period of regulatory transformation and global competitive pressure. With the European textile ecosystem currently managing a transition toward circularity, Machado’s mandate emphasizes, the industry must decarbonize without triggering widespread deindustrialization, a concern that has intensified amid rising energy costs and shifting trade dynamics.
Prioritizing operational competitiveness
Machado asserts, the foundational requirement for any industrial policy in 2026 is robust competitiveness. Without a stable business environment, the capital required for deep-tech investments - such as AI-driven automation, specialized chemical recycling, and digital traceability - becomes increasingly difficult to secure. EURATEX continues to lobby for targeted fiscal support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to modernize their production lines. By fostering an environment where innovation is financially viable, the confederation aims to maintain Europe’s role as a global hub for high-value-added textile manufacturing rather than purely a consumer market.
Enforcing air market standards
A central pillar of the new mandate involves the harmonization of market rules. EURATEX is intensifying its advocacy for stringent border enforcement and digital surveillance to curb the influx of imports that bypass environmental and social standards. Machado argues, the same rules must apply to all products sold in Europe, noting, European companies currently face a dual burden of strict internal compliance and unequal competition from low-cost imports. This effort is directly linked to the impending 2027 rollout of mandatory Digital Product Passports, which will require comprehensive traceability data for every garment sold in the EU.
Scaling sustainable value chains
As industry leaders grapple with new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and complex labeling requirements, EURATEX is pushing for a regulatory framework that rewards high-performance manufacturers. By leveraging public procurement and transparent eco-labeling, the confederation intends to stimulate demand for premium, European-made sustainable textiles, ensuring that ecological compliance acts as a competitive advantage rather than an operational tax. chain
Sector profile and strategic scope
EURATEX acts as the primary representative for the European textile and clothing industry, advocating for approximately 200,000 companies that employ 1.2 million workers. Historically a pillar of the European economy, the organization now steers the sector through the digital and green transition, balancing traditional craftsmanship with advanced manufacturing technologies.
