Recently, on Wednesday, July 3rd, the first training day of the course “Ecodesign of Fashion” took place, which is part of the training offer from Marche Innovation Hub, the digital hub of CNA, and within the activities of Edih4Marche.
The course is held at the Omero Museum (Mole Vanvitelliana – Ancona) and offers regional fashion system businesses an overview of the main European directives, including the new EU regulation “Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR),” which governs the definition of “sustainable product” and outlines the implications for the entire sector.
During the first meeting, discussions focused on new materials and circular materials, while in the second meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, July 10th, participating businesses will learn how to measure the circularity of fashion products, also through case studies from the sector.
Additionally, the topic of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) will be addressed, which narrates the entire history of the product digitally, safeguarding the consumer while excellently combining sustainability and digitalization.
These two themes are indeed at the center of the trade union activities of CNA Federmoda Ancona, which has identified them as possible “pathways out” of the significant crisis that businesses in the sector have been experiencing in recent months. On one hand, immediate responses to protect the sector are necessary, given the concerning decline in the number of businesses, overall production, and exports, as requested by the leaders of our organization to the Ministry and the Marche Region. On the other hand, new directions need to be indicated in the strategy to overcome this dark period.
Sustainability, along with technological innovation in processes, is imposing new paradigms on businesses in the sector, driven by an increasingly aware final consumer sensitive to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues and who year after year has become more attentive to the intrinsic value of what they wear.
Thus, there is a growing demand for transparency and traceability of the materials used, with a preference for recycling and reuse. Forms and designs seek not only beauty but also become synonymous with values.
Local businesses are aware that they must grow in this regard, as demonstrated by the great interest this course has received.