Vietnam News Agency: The European Commission (EC) recently put forward a proposal for the textile and Clothing industry industry, aiming at tackling global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.
According to the proposal, textile, clothing, leather and footwear products are one of the product groups that must meet the requirements of EC Ecological design.
Industry experts believe that according to these new standards, in order to enter the EU market, enterprises must improve their technology, meet raw material traceability and environmental regulations.
It is expected that the European Parliament and Council will approve ecological regulations in 2023 and other product group standards in 2024.
Europe was originally a traditional and important market for Vietnam's textile, clothing, and footwear industries. After the entry into force of the EU Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), enterprises have fully utilized the agreement to promote exports to the EU.
Pan Shih Chun, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Leather Luggage Association (Lefaso), stated that the EU market has stricter requirements for product safety and environmental protection than other markets. Therefore, enterprises must conscientiously comply with regulations.
Pan's Youth stated that in order to meet European standards, companies should improve the quality of human resources and production facilities, especially using clean energy and green technologies.
The origin regulations for footwear in EVFTA are similar to the new origin standards proposed by the European Union for Vietnamese leather and footwear products, so enterprises have not encountered many difficulties in meeting the new regulations.
Pan's youth introduced that since the implementation of the EU Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the leather and footwear industries have fully utilized the benefits of the agreement to promote exports. According to statistics, previously, Vietnam's exports of leather and footwear products to the European Union accounted for 25% to 28% of the total export volume, but now it has increased to 30%.
Previously, the localization rate of leather footwear products was only 45%.
The production of raw materials in the leather shoe industry has recently made significant progress, meeting the requirements of origin while creating better added value.
The localization rate of leather footwear products used to be only 45%, but now it has reached over 55%. For canvas shoes, the localization rate reaches 100%, and for sports shoes, it reaches 70% to 80%.
The European Union is an important market for the leather, footwear, and textile industries in Vietnam. However, companies must comply with safety standards when exporting to the European Union, which drives their investment in technology. Secondly, it is to meet sustainable development standards related to environment and labor. Enterprises must fulfill their rights and obligations with employees. In terms of the environment, we are committed to using clean energy, applying green and advanced technologies, etc.
Regarding green growth, Wu Dejiang, Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Clothing Association, stated that the number of textile and clothing enterprises using clean energy has increased to 60-65%, mainly through self purchased electricity or self built solar power supply. It is expected that all textile and clothing enterprises will achieve the goal of clean energy in the next 5 to 7 years.
The Vietnam Textile and Garment Association has suggested the government to approve the Development Strategy of Textile and Footwear Industry by 2030 and Vision for 2035 as soon as possible, commit to building large industrial parks with centralized wastewater treatment systems, advanced technology and green technology, attract investment in textile printing and dyeing, solve the problem of fabric supply for clothing export, meet the requirements of origin, and make full use of the preferential tariff policies in a series of free trade agreements.