2025 will see the beginning of the implementation of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The setting of sector-specific rules will begin in earnest in February 2025, with the first meeting of the Ecodesign Forum scheduled for 19 and 20 February. Under the ESPR, ecodesign requirements for a wide variety of sectors are expected. While the full list of the sectors is not public yet, the sectors under discussion include textiles (notably garments and footwear), furniture, bed mattresses, tyres, detergents, paints and varnishes, cosmetics, toys, fishing gear, absorbent hygiene products, energy-related products, and ICT products/other electronics.

The National Council of Textile Organizations, the main U.S. industry association representing domestic textile manufacturers, is urging President Trump to either end the current duty-free exemption for goods valued at US$800 or less or, at a minimum, move forward with the two regulatory proposals issued by CBP on that matter in the waning days of the Biden administration.

The Danish government has formally notified the European Commission of its intention to prohibit the sale of clothing, footwear and their waterproofing agents containing PFAS. The proposed national measure is planned to take effect in advance of a forthcoming EU-wide restriction of PFAS in a variety of applications, including clothing and footwear. The draft Danish Order could begin to apply by the middle of 2025.

CBP has reclassified certain men’s vests/sleeveless jackets as sleeveless jackets under HTSUS 6201.40.7000 (if water-resistant; 7.1 percent duty) or HTSUS 6201.40.7511 (if not water-resistant; 27.7 percent duty) rather than vests under HTSUS 6211.33.0054 (16.4 percent duty).

‘No sustainability, no sale’ was the message at Playtime & Kid’s Hub New York show, with exhibitors keen to parade their green credentials.

Mexican authorities have walked back certain restrictions on the use 0f Mexico’s IMMEX duty deferral programme for e-commerce textile and apparel shipments following an uproar by various businesses and trade associations in both Mexico and the U.S.

Consumers are favouring gender-neutral clothing for babies and children, according to exhibitors at Manhattan’s Playtime & Kid’s Hub expo.

On 27 December 2024, the Official Journal of the European Union published Council Regulation (EU) 2024/3211 suspending the Common Customs Tariff duties on certain agricultural and industrial products. A few days earlier, namely, on 19 December 2024, the Official Journal published Council Regulation (EU) 2024/3213 opening and providing for the management of autonomous tariff quotas of the Union for certain agricultural and industrial products. Pursuant to these two regulations, operators – including those based in Hong Kong – may find increased opportunities to sell the goods covered by those regulations to EU customers.

China has issued a new product standard – FZ/T 73077-2024 – for knitted quick-dry garments. This new standard became effective on January 1, 2025.

China has issued an updated version of its product standard FZ/T 81009-2024 for artificial fur garments. The revised standard will become effective on July 1, 2026.