Indonesia is planning import duties on several categories of goods, with footwear, clothing, textiles, cosmetics and ceramics likely to be affected. Duties will range from 100% to 200%, with the exact rates determined by the Indonesian Trade Safeguards Committee.

Hong Kong’s textiles industry serves not only local clothing manufacturers but also those in mainland China and other offshore production bases. Capitalising on the long experience in the manufacture of textiles, many Hong Kong companies also engage in textiles trading. The industry has a good reputation as a supplier of quality dyed and printed fabrics. It is also strong in cotton spinning, denim weaving, knit-to-shape panel knitting, and fine-gauge cotton knit manufacturing.

The Official Journal of the EU has published Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 establishing a new framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products. The framework will lead to ecodesign requirements that virtually all product sectors will eventually have to comply with if they are to be placed on the market. In addition, the new Regulation establishes a digital product passport, and creates a framework to prevent unsold consumer products – textiles and footwear for starters – from being destroyed.

On 7 June 2024, Austria, Finland, France and the Netherlands put forward a proposal to tackle fast fashion as part of the revision of EU waste rules regarding textile products. In a recent meeting of Member State officials in Brussels, the proposal received the support of Luxembourg, Ireland, Greece, Croatia, Poland, Cyprus, Romania, Czechia, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

Undercut by online operators and with limited sales opportunities, many in the US bridalwear sector are seeking alternative revenue streams.

While white gowns remain the number one choice, demand for alternatives is growing, according to many at Chicago’s National Bridal Market.

Asia’s leading fashion sourcing platform highlighted such hardy perennials as denim, while also exploring ecoprints and more surreal styles.

Denmark’s Ministry of the Environment has announced plans to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in clothing, shoes and waterproofing agents intended for consumers from 1 July 2026 onwards. This ban, announced last month, would constitute a first step to an expected broader EU-wide regulation to be enforced from 2027 onwards or later.

Legislation recently introduced in the House would require the U.S. Treasury Department to conduct a study on potential gender bias and regressivity within the U.S. tariff system and report the findings to the U.S. Congress.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently issued a new strategy to combat illicit trade in textile and apparel products and “level the playing field for the American textile industry, which accounts for over 500,000 jobs and is critical” for U.S. national security.