The Nordic Council has adopted a new recommendation urging Nordic governments to strengthen sustainability standards across the fashion and textile industry. The move aims to improve transparency, reduce greenwashing, and encourage more responsible textile production and consumption across the region.
The recommendation also focuses on improving consumer information and ensuring better working conditions throughout textile supply chains.
The initiative was originally proposed by the Nordic Youth Council, which represents youth wings of political organizations across the Nordic region. The proposal was later developed further by the Nordic Council Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region before being officially adopted.
The latest decision reflects growing concern over the environmental impact of the global fashion industry and rising pressure for stronger regulation in Europe.
Reports also show that Nordic countries consume more clothing per capita than the global average. However, only a limited portion of donated garments is reused locally.
The issue has become increasingly important as synthetic and fossil fuel-based fibers continue to dominate global textile production. Industry estimates show that these materials account for around 62 percent of global textile output and contribute significantly to carbon emissions.
Textile waste is also becoming a major environmental concern in Europe. According to reports, nearly 600,000 tonnes of textiles are incinerated annually across the region.
The Nordic Council’s action aligns closely with the European Union’s broader textile sustainability strategy under the Waste Framework Directive. The EU strategy aims to increase producer accountability for the amount of clothing produced, destroyed, and exported.
Nordic countries already began joint work in 2024 on a regional framework for textile producer responsibility. A new EU directive will also come into effect in September this year requiring improved sustainability information for consumers.
The Council highlighted the importance of established certification systems such as the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. The eco certification scheme is widely recognized in the region and is trusted by most Nordic consumers.
