Technical and scientific training on key EU-US regulatory requirements in the cotton textile sector affecting Egypt

Title Awareness on main EU-US regulatory requirements on cotton-textile sector affecting Egypt UNIDO

Location Cairo, Egypt

Duration May-June

Funding UNIDO

 

Context

This activity is part of the second phase of the ‘Egyptian Cotton Project – Phase II’ (SAP ID 200084), which aims to strengthen the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the Egyptian cotton supply chain. Although the Egyptian textile sector is fully integrated, from cotton cultivation to the production of finished garments, it must comply with increasingly stringent international standards in terms of quality, ESG and due diligence criteria in order to compete in the EU and US markets.

 

General Objective

Provide representatives of trade associations, textile manufacturers and business support organisations with the knowledge and operational tools to:

  • understand the evolution of international regulatory requirements (EU and US);
  • promote the adoption of voluntary certifications (e.g. OEKO-TEX, BCI) as a lever for competitiveness;
  • integrate ESG practices and due diligence principles throughout the supply chain.

 

Our Contribution

The training course ‘Evolving Textile International Regulatory Frameworks and the role of voluntary Certifications’, focusing on international and EU regulatory frameworks and the adoption of certifications to improve the competitiveness of Egyptian textile manufacturers in the global market, took place over two intensive days, 16 and 17 June 2025, at the UNIDO ITPO Italy headquarters in Cairo.

The programme was designed to provide participants with essential knowledge and strategies to address the complexity of compliance requirements and buyer expectations, offering an overview of global market trends and highlighting the evolution of consumer expectations and the growing relevance of ESG practices in the textile sector. A significant focus of the workshop was the analysis of existing regulations and those that will come into force in the EU and the United States, key markets for Egyptian cotton textile products.

During the first day, dedicated to local BSO representatives (export councils, chambers of commerce, trade associations), we provided an overview of the evolution of international regulations in the textile sector, with a particular focus on ESG requirements and recent EU and US directives. The day also featured presentations by UNIDO experts, as well as thematic group work that we facilitated with the participants.

On the second day, the training was aimed at operators from Egyptian textile companies. We organised practical sessions in small groups, in which participants developed business action plans to integrate due diligence and traceability criteria throughout the entire supply chain.

The two days of training underscore UNIDO’s commitment to supporting the Egyptian textile sector in addressing global market dynamics.

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