Single Use Plastic: Does Brexit Mean Brexit For The UK As The EU Commits To Plastic Reduction By 2021? By Rafaella De Freitas and Tamara Cincik

This is what we at Fashion Roundtable will be advocating for post-Brexit: a UK fashion industry which continues to lead in the exciting space where craft, artisan and ethical FashionTech coalesce into a transparent and truly sustainable fashion industry. We have to ensure that leaving the EU does not mean deregulation. We need a future vision where the UK is not an isolated island drowning in a pool of plastic and instead showcase one where any plastic we do create is reused to make something relevant and long-lasting, be that a shoe, a sock, or even a red carpet dress.

Eszter Kantor's Brexit Update

Our EU Expert, Eszter Kantor, provides us with the latest Brexit update including the European Commission’s publishing of Brexit preparedness notes and a roundup of what was discussed at Fashion Roundtable’s previous Brexit meeting.

Tamara CincikJuly 26, 2018Eszter Kantor, Brexit, politics, EU, European Commission, brexit, Theresa May

The EU Free Trade Deal With Japan - A Win For European Fashion But A UK Own Goal? Asks Eszter Kantor

The Japanese fashion market is worth $25.45bn, with a consumer who has historically bought into British fashion brands: both heritage and avant-garde. This deal is predicted to boost the EU economy by 0.8%: a trade boost which the UK has no part of for a consumer who would have bought into Brand Britain. This agreement gives European stakeholders access to one of the strongest markets in the world (third in GDP), allowing them to diversify their investments and expand production in an era of increasing instability.

Tamara CincikJuly 19, 2018Eszter Kantor, japan, eu, trade agreement, fashion, business

The Brexit Cul-De-Sac: Op-Ed by Eszter Kantor Our EU Expert.

I don't think this is the result of a Government not understanding Brexit and its implications. During the past two years several advisors, economists, policy officers, NGO and company representatives (including Fashion Roundtable) have explained the consequences both in monetary and socioeconomic terms, time and time again.

The Brexit View On The Chequers Meeting From Brussels by Eszter Kantor

Is the UK willing to accept the terms of withdrawal as described by the EU? It also calls for free movement of goods ignoring services (including services embedded into the sales of goods, which is a huge factor in the fashion supply chain), movement of capital and people.

Tamara CincikJuly 7, 2018Eszter Kantor, chequers, cabinet, Brexit, view from Brussels

Brexit, Or The Gift That Keeps On Giving, Op-Ed By Eszter Kantor Our EU Politics Expert.

Eszter Kantor, our EU Politics expert, comments on Theresa May’s recent efforts in Brussels and how her attitude towards the four freedoms may be relaxing.

Brexit Preparedness Notice on Professional Qualifications

Yesterday the Commission published a new Brexit preparedness notice for those with professional qualifications. This is the latest in a serious of guidance notes preparing stakeholders for a no-deal scenario. It impacts skilled professionals who have obtained a official qualification and use this qualification when accessing jobs in the EU. Our EU expert, Eszter Kantor, comments on this development.

The Single Market in Goods: The Latest News by Lucy Siers

Tomorrow marks 2 years since the referendum. Are we now seeing a movement on May’s initial defiant stance on Britain’s withdrawal from the single market?

EU & International Working Group Notes

Tamara CincikJune 18, 2018Eszter Kantor, Fashion Industry, politics, EU, Creatives, Brexit, Fashion and politics, Fashion and Brexit

The Threat of Continuous Duping of Chinese Clothes And Footwear Is Very Real. By Eszter Kantor.

“This information highlights the problems with the UK government`s customs options. It shows that currently the UK is struggling to maintain an effective border control with this fairly simple border arrangement that we have today. The UK border ideas include a highly technological alternative which does not exist today and an option for Northern Ireland border control to distinguish and apply different procedures for goods arriving to the UK from those that arrive and go through to the EU. As we can see there are problems today with a high amount of fraudulent clothing and footwear entering through the UK border, these undervalued goods are not stopped and checked, meaning we don`t know if they are genuine Chinese brands that are dumped on the market below market value or counterfeits. More people and a more effective procedure is needed today on the borders to screen containers. The threat of continuous duping of Chinese goods particularly textile and footwear is very real.”

Tamara CincikJune 7, 2018Eszter Kantor, fraud, footwear, European Commission, EU, clothes, textiles, duping

Where are the customs experts in the customs partnership debate? Asks Eszter Kantor, Fashion Roundtable's EU Expert.

"Why is the UK Government discussing options that a) will be rejected by the EU b) will not be possible to implement in the given time period?”

Minutes from The Ethnic Representation In The Fashion Industry Event

" Blurred line between appropriation and appreciation. It’s a conversation being had by a lot of people."

Eszter Kantor: Our EU Expert Decodes The European Commission's Proposal For The Brexit Transition Period & Fashion Roundtable's Asks.

As in all negotiations parties go in considering their own best interest and asking for everything they feel they can and should have. It would be great to have a written position on the asks and offers of the UK Government as well. It seems for the time being there are statements made behind closed doors (in Brussels) and statements made in public (in the UK) and these two are not quite aligned yet.