Greenhouse gases, water consumption… what is this new label that calculates the environmental impact of our clothes ?

Greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, reparability… a label, called Ecobalyse, which calculates the ecological impact of new clothing is in preparation. It will be unveiled this Wednesday April 3, 2024 by the Minister of Ecological Transition.

"The textile industry now generates more greenhouse gases than international flights and maritime traffic combined" according to the Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe). The government wants manufacturers to be more transparent about the ecological cost of the products they put on shelves or sell on the Internet, indicates Le Parisien.

This Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the Minister of Ecological Transition will present "Écobalyse", the calculator for the future environmental labeling of our new clothes."L&rsquo The long-term challenge is to encourage consumers to consult the environmental impact of clothing before they buy it, explains the Minister of Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu.

A note that will assess the ecological impact of clothing

Concretely, this label will be affixed by manufacturers on a voluntary basis. It will be subject to consultation. "This tool will allow companies and professionals in the sector to easily and free of charge obtain the environmental cost of their product", details il.

According to Le Parisien, a score, ranging from 0 to infinity, will evaluate the ecological impact of a sweater, coat or pants. "Like a price (in euros), a nutritional value in (in kcal) or a carbon score (in kg/C02e). The higher the rating, the more the product will have a cost for the environment", he specifies.

The products will be evaluated in points of impact on the planet. For example, an eco-friendly t-shirt could have a score of 300 or four times more if it was designed on the other side of the world for “disposable” use. or "ephemeral". "We will do education so that consumers take ownership of this display", reassures the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

The first labels launched in the fall

If the consultation process does not fall behind schedule, the first environmental labels could appear in the fall on our clothes, on shelves or online.

"We start with textiles but the next stage of this environmental display will concern food products and then other sectors such as furniture& quot;, announced Christophe Béchu