Product compliance, customs and digital reforms: ensuring consumer safety and industrial competitiveness - EURATEX Skip to content About EURATEX Membership Our Members Become a member Annual Reports Our Network Events Team Contact Us Job Va
- EURATEX
Skip to content
About
EURATEX
Membership
Our Members
Become a member
Annual Reports
Our Network
Events
Team
Contact Us
Job Vacancies
Trade &
Internal Market
Internal Market
Trade
UE UKRAINE Textile Initiative
Sustainable
Businesses
Chemicals Policy
Circular Economy
Sustainable Production
Sustainable Supply Chains
Innovation
& Skills
TCLF Skills Alliance
Technology Platform
Data &
Statistics
Facts & Key Figures
Spring and Autumn Reports
Economic Update
Projects
& Initiatives
Our
News
Position Paper
Members Area
About
EURATEX
Membership
Our Members
Become a member
Annual Reports
Our Network
Events
Team
Contact Us
Job Vacancies
Trade &
Internal Market
Internal Market
Trade
UE UKRAINE Textile Initiative
Sustainable
Businesses
Chemicals Policy
Circular Economy
Sustainable Production
Sustainable Supply Chains
Innovation
& Skills
TCLF Skills Alliance
Technology Platform
Data &
Statistics
Facts & Key Figures
Spring and Autumn Reports
Economic Update
Projects
& Initiatives
Our
News
Position Paper
Members Area
Product compliance, customs and digital reforms: ensuring consumer safety and industrial competitiveness
On 12 May 2026, the event
“Product compliance, customs and digital reforms”
took place at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, enforcement authorities and industry representatives to discuss one of the most urgent challenges facing the European textile and clothing sector: how to ensure that products entering the EU market comply with European rules.
The debate focused on the rapid growth of non-compliant products entering the EU through e-commerce and ultra-fast-fashion platforms. This trend raises serious concerns for consumer safety, fair competition, customs enforcement and the competitiveness of European industry. Participants underlined that the issue is no longer limited to isolated infringements, but has become a structural challenge requiring a coordinated European response.
Opening the event,
François Kalfon, Member of the European Parliament
, warned that Europe risks becoming a destination for cheap, unsafe or non-compliant goods from third countries. He stressed the importance of linking customs reform, market surveillance and industrial competitiveness, while highlighting the potential to increase textile production in Europe through innovation and automation.
In her keynote intervention,
Isabelle Pérignon, Director at DG JUST
, emphasised that consumer protection and a level playing field must go hand in hand. With millions of parcels entering the EU every day, national authorities can no longer address the challenge alone. She pointed to several key EU initiatives, including the Digital Services Act, the General Product Safety Regulation, the Union Customs Code reform, the Market Surveillance Regulation and the upcoming European Product Act.
The panel discussion, moderated by
Kathrin J
