What we do
How we work
Stories and News
What we do
How we work
Stories and News
ITC website
ITC TOOLS
What we work
ITC website
ITC TOOLS
How we work
ITC website
ITC TOOLS
Stories and News
ITC website
ITC TOOLS
ITC website
ITC TOOLS
ITC website
ITC TOOLS
ITC website
ITC TOOLS
ITC website
ITC TOOLS
On July 23rd, we hosted an insightful workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on unpacking key European Union regulations shaping the future of sustainable textiles. The Strategy looks at the entire lifecycle of textile products and proposes coordinated actions to change how we produce and consume textiles.
Led by Beatrice Vaskyte, Sustainable Textiles Specialist at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the session aimed to support Kenya’s fashion entrepreneurs and businesses in strengthening their export readiness.
Everyone is concerned, so for those who missed it: we compiled a few key takeaways and tips:
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Impact report
On average, EU consumption of textiles has the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate change, after food, housing and mobility. It is also the third highest area of consumption for water and land use, and fifth highest for the use of primary raw materials and greenhouse gas emissions.*
What are the new EU Rules?
The European Union is introducing new rules for how clothes and textiles are made, sold, and labeled. Read all about the new regulation here.
Now is the time to prepare
Any fashion business exporting to the European Union will need to follow these rules to stay in the market. Now is the time to prepare: understanding and adapting to these new rules early will give Kenyan fashion businesses a strong head start in accessing the EU market.
Sustainability Matters
More Than Ever Fashion businesses will need to prove that their products are environmentally friendly, from the way materials are sourced to how waste is managed.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR EXPORTING TO THE EU
Document Your Supply Chain
Start keeping track of where your materials come from and how your products are made. Transparency builds trust, and it is becoming a requirement in the EU.
Design with Durability and Repair in Mind
Focus on creating high-quality, long-lasting designs. The EU is rewarding brands that produce clothes that last, can be repaired, or reused easily.
Get Familiar with Labels and Green Claims
Avoid vague sustainability claims like “eco-friendly” unless you can back them up. Learn how to label your products correctly and honestly for European buyers.
USEFUL LINKS
Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future
The workshop is part of EFI’s ongoing commitment to supporting Africa’s fashion value chains to not only meet international standards and enhance export readiness but also lead in sustainable innovation.
The session underscored the importance of continued dialogue, technical support, and shared learning as Kenya’s fashion industry adapts to a more regulated global marketplace.
In Kenya, EFI is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
newsletter
The Ethical Fashion Initiative is a programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
2025 ©All rights reserved.