he textile and fashion business is very complex and involves several stages, from the harvest of natural raw materials to the production of synthetic or artificial fibres, its   processing and transformation into threads, knit, TNT and manufacturing, not forgetting dying and other trimmings essential in the obtention of quality , functionality or creative characteristics of the textile and clothing products. However, the label of these products says nothing regarding this entire process. ETIC – European Textile Identity Card – was created to fill this gap.

The focus of ETIC labelling system is to allow consumers to know where the main stages of the manufacturing process took place: spinning, weaving/knitting, trimming and manufacturing.

In what concerns clothing, ETIC label will be used solely and exclusively in garments that may guarantee that two or more of the main product’s stages are Made in EU, an important choice as the European Union established the most restrictive production patterns in the world to protect the environment, the health and rights of people.

ETIC is a private and voluntary initiative on behalf of the European Industry, through which companies may identify the origin of their products through a label, strengthening the communication of their commitments with the social, ethical and environmental values.

All the manufacturers of the textile production chain and the fashion brands that produce in the European Union will now have a tool to label their products, tell the story of the productive process providing, on the one hand, a reply to consumer’s desire for a bigger traceability, more information and transparency in the chain of value and, on the other hand, valuing and distinguishing the European production.

ETIC is a collective brand, created and managed by ETIC European Textile Identity Card Association, created by associations representative of the main textile and fashion producing countries in EU: Italy, France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

In Portugal ETIC is represented by ATP – Portuguese Textile and Clothing Association.