The briefing EU trade in textiles: Import and export flows, published by the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for External Policies and authored by Dr Toni Sharma (June 2026), examines European Union textile and clothing trade between 2014 and 2023. Covering both imports of new textiles and exports of used textiles, the publication analyses trade patterns, sustainability challenges, regulatory developments and policy responses, while exploring how evolving EU legislation may affect global textile value chains and partner countries.  

Key Takeaways

• The EU remains highly dependent on imported clothing while maintaining strengths in higher-value textile products. The briefing finds that labour-intensive clothing imports are concentrated among a limited number of supplier countries, including China, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Vietnam and India, whereas EU exports are stronger in higher-value and technical textile products.
• Used textile exports have become an increasingly important policy issue. Although they account for a relatively small share of the EU’s textile export value, used textile exports remain significant in volume and are closely linked to reuse, recycling and waste management systems in Africa and Asia. The report highlights the need for greater transparency regarding the quality and destination of exported textiles.
• New EU sustainability legislation is reshaping textile trade requirements. Measures such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Digital Product Passports and the Forced Labour Regulation are expected to strengthen traceability, product information and sustainability requirements across textile value chains.
• Smaller exporters may face indirect compliance challenges. While many sustainability obligations apply directly to larger companies, SMEs in partner countries may experience increasing documentation, traceability and compliance requirements through buyer expectations and supply-chain demands.
• Trade policy should better support sustainable and responsible textile value chains. The briefing recommends improving transparency in used textile exports, strengthening Digital Product Passport implementation, supporting labour standards through trade instruments and ensuring that sustainability requirements are implemented in a proportionate manner for smaller businesses.
• International cooperation remains essential for effective implementation. Comparative analysis of Bangladesh, Vietnam and India shows that adaptation to EU sustainability requirements is most successful when regulatory measures are combined with institutional support, predictable transition periods and practical assistance for businesses.

The briefing highlights the growing interaction between EU trade policy, sustainability objectives and textile value chains. It concludes that improving transparency, strengthening regulatory coherence and supporting businesses throughout the transition will be essential to achieving a more sustainable, competitive and resilient textile sector.

For full details, readers are encouraged to refer to the original report European Union Website.