The European Union (EU) Council of Ministers has given its key political approval to a reform of EU textile labelling rules, making labels more understandable and reducing red tape.

This new regulation will now be discussed by the European Parliament, which must approve its terms for it to come into force.

The legislation will further harmonise across the EU textile fibre names, indications, markings and documents; reduce the administration by allowing a faster adoption of new pan-EU names or particular fibres; lay down methods for the sampling and analysis of textile products; integrate three existing directives into one regulation, making the legislation easier to follow.

A council communiqué said the reform would improve “the functioning of the internal market and to providing accurate information to consumers.”