ABRAPA one of six organizations to recently join the coalition of now 52 calling for overhaul of the EU’s Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for apparel.

Brasilia, 27 November 2024—The Brazilian Cotton Producers Association, ABRAPA, has announced that as of 01 December 2024, it will become a full member of the Make the Label Count coalition. 

ABRAPA is joining Make the Label Count to add its voice and influence to a joint effort working to ensure that sustainability claims for textiles in the EU are fair and credible.  

As the EU Green Claims legislation enters its final ‘trilogues’ phase, there is an urgent need to underscore the environmental profile of natural fibres compared to synthetics. 

Together with Anea, the Brazilian Cotton Exporters Association, ABRAPA’s membership ensures that the full weight of the Brazilian cotton sector is behind this important effort, affirming Cotton Brazil’s commitment to strengthening and defending the environmental benefits of natural fibres such as cotton at this critical juncture.  

Commenting on their motivation for joining, ABRAPA’s President Alexandre Schenkel said:  

“The Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for apparel and footwear are badly designed and not fit for purpose. In their current form would give non-renewable, fossil-fuel derived synthetics a gold-star rating while unfairly labelling natural-fibre apparel as unsustainable.  

This goes against the very purpose of the Green Claims directive’s objective of ensuring claims that are ‘reliable, credible and verifiable’. By joining the Make the Label Count coalition we are committed to rectifying this egregious situation before it is too late and enshrined in European law.” 

Welcoming ABRAPA’s membership, Make the Label Count’s Elke Hortmeyer said: 

“We are delighted to welcome ABRAPA and as a consequence Cotton Brazil to the Make the Label Count coalition. As a globally recognized organization committed to sustainable cotton production, their expertise and leadership will strengthen our collective voice and effort to ensure fair and credible sustainability claims for natural fibres. Beyond the socio-economic importance of raw material production for many cotton farmers, the EU’s PEF methodology must properly address the environmental impact of oil-based materials like polyester, which contribute to massive plastic waste and release microplastics into our waters and soils.”  

In order to ensure the tools for substantiating green claims are credible and reliable, they need to be founded on scientific research. Whilst scientific experts have provided extensive research to inform this process – covering areas such as Life Cycle Assessment, consumer behaviour, and microplastics – not all findings have been fully considered by policymakers or those developing the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for apparel and footwear.  

It is essential that PEF and the PEFCR for apparel and footwear accurately reflect the true environmental impacts of textiles. To ensure a fair assessment, factors such as microplastic pollution, plastic waste, and circularity must be urgently integrated into the evaluation. 

About Abrapa 

The Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (ABRAPA) was founded in 1999 to increase the competitiveness and profit opportunities for the Brazilian cotton sector.  Abrapa supports and represents Brazilian growers both in Brazil and internationally. It is composed of 10 state associations, which account for 99% of Brazil’s cotton production and 100% of the country’s total cotton exports. 

About Cotton Brazil 

Cotton Brazil is an industry-wide initiative dedicated to promoting the recognition and uptake of Brazilian cotton globally. Its mission is to showcase the quality, sustainability, traceability and reliability of Brazil’s natural cotton fibre. Valued for its comfort, biodegradability, and natural characteristics, Brazilian cotton appeals to consumers who prioritize both quality and a commitment to sustainability and is a preferred choice in the global market. Cotton Brazil is an initiative of Abrapa, the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association, ANEA, the Brazilian Cotton Shippers Association, and ApexBrasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. 

About Make the Label Count 

Make the Label Count is an international coalition of organisations representing a wide range of natural fibre producers and environmental groups that have one thing in common: working to ensure that sustainability claims for textiles in the EU are fair and credible. 

Media contact 

For further information please contact:
George Candon 

georgecandon@manfridayconsultancy.eu | +32 489 46 78 48