A professional workshop titled “Textiles for the Future – EU Standards and Sustainable Export” was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, organized by the Association for the Textile, Apparel, Leather and Footwear Industry in cooperation with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO).
The event brought together representatives of institutions, experts and domestic companies to present new EU regulations that will shape production, trade and sustainability reporting in the coming years.
Maria Zlatković, Secretary of the Association, emphasized that the textile and fashion industries are entering a period of profound transformation. “Most new EU regulations have already been adopted, but their implementation will be gradual. This is why timely planning and alignment with new requirements are essential. Together with the SIPPO programme, we developed the Sustainable Textile Export Guide and a self-assessment tool for evaluating company readiness for the Digital Product Passport — concrete instruments that will help Serbian companies enter the EU market under the new rules,” she noted.
The SIPPO team also presented research on promising export markets for Serbian textile products, including niche segments such as sustainable fashion and fine knitwear. Participants were further informed about available financial support instruments and ongoing activities within the European AEQUALIS4TCLF project.
A strong emphasis on AEQUALIS4TCLF was made during the panel “Sustainable Business, Marketing and Skills Development – Key Competences of the Future.” The project was presented as a strategic initiative that connects industry, the education sector and policymakers in order to jointly address skills shortages in the textile, leather and footwear industries. Its overarching goal is to strengthen sector resilience and improve preparedness for the green and digital transition, fully aligned with European priorities.
The workshop gathered institutions, experts and domestic companies committed to improving competitiveness, increasing exports and aligning their operations with European sustainability standards.