POPULAR TOOLS
WTiN Products
Euratex urges EU states to ratify ACTA to protect textile SMEs
4 Image(s)
Euratex, the representative association of the European Textile and Clothing Industry, has called on EU member states to approve the Anti-Counterfeiting Agreement (ACTA) to help protect the creativity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in its sector.
The organisation says 99% of the EU’s textile industry is made up of SMEs, which manufacture a variety of highly creative products that play a crucial role in the economy, with the industry generating a turnover of more than €172bn in 2010.
In addition, Euratex cites a report on customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at the EU border, which reveals that in 2010 textiles (26%) and clothing (31%) were the products that generated the highest number of customs procedures. China was the main country of provenance for this type of counterfeited goods (76%).
And, says Euratex, the problem is not limited to the famous brands that are often quoted in counterfeiting and piracy cases. Millions of SMEs are also affected by the counterfeiting of their designs for a host of products like airbags, nappies, bullet-proof vests, fire-proof suits, lift cables and more.
Whether companies produce traditional, technical, high-tech textiles, or apparel, all of them are hit by this type of illegal activity which harms the economy and employment possibilities of this industry in the EU region, according to Euratex.
EURATEX has called for the member states that have not yet ratified the agreement to follow the model of the 22 countries that have already done so, in the interest of their enterprises, employees and citizens.
