ICAC to represent natural fibres in PEF debates
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has been invited onto the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) for Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology.
The Commission developed the PEF to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organisations.
Only four international organisations have been admitted to the TAB: ICAC, the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, the European Environmental Agency and the United Nations Environmental Programme.
ICAC executive director Eric Trachtenberg and head of textiles Kanwar Usman will providing information on how cotton and all natural fibres can contribute to circularity goals, they said, adding they support Brussels’ goal of moving the European market toward products that are more durable, repairable, recyclable and largely free of hazardous substances.
TAB members will provide advice on product eco-design and sustainable production and consumption, as well as scrutiny of PEF rules.
There have been complaints in the past that PEFs favour synthetic fibres such as polyester over natural fibres. Various associations have joined together to voice concerns – such as the Make the Label Count coalition, which includes the Aid by Trade Foundation, the National Cotton Council of America, the US Cotton Trust Protocol and British Wool.
Trachtenberg said: “The ICAC looks forward to working with the European Commission and other stakeholders so decision-makers have the data they need to ensure that cotton - and all natural fibres - are assessed fairly and accurately.”
