Tax-breaks for being NICE?

16. Jun 2010 Different countries, different means of attack: In France they are about to make all apparel companies pay a flat fee which is ear-marked for waste-handling. But those taking eco-action, and ensure that customers return the items, will be exempt. In th UK, the British Fashion Council has suggested tax breaks for brands that champion an ethical attitude to fashion.

 While the French stocking-company is taking action to ensure that they can avoid the sales tax being implemented in France to cover the cost of waste-handling of textiles by planning Cradle to Cradle certified stockings with a return-envelope that comes with the stockings when purchased, the Brits want to go another route. Rather than using the whip, they would like to dangle a carrot in front of apparel companies.

The suggestion comes from Harold Tillman, the chair of the British Fashion Council, according to EcoTextile News. The fashion business claiming to be ethical in Britain is valued to £ 175 million, and according to statistics 33 % of British consumers are willing to pay more for ethically produced clothing and footwear. Well, now they may be able to pay less...

The British fashion industry is fronting a campaign calling for businesses which operate ethically to be rewarded with tax breaks. At the vanguard of the initiative is Harold Tillman, the chair of the BFC and owner of Jaeger and Aquascutum brands. According to Tillman, offering incentives to eco-friendly fashion companies would "make sense for businesses and consumers" across the fashion sector. The campaign is supported by a number of other leading brands and designers across the UK industry including Vivienne Westwood, Monsoon and Edun.The London College of Fashion's Center for Sustainable Fashion is also calling on all parties to recognize that to effect change, sustainability and ethical fashion, it must make commercial sense for those involved in the industry.

"If UK citizens can get tax-breaks on more energy efficient cars and other sustainable products, why can't they wear their values with pride and get tax-breaks on ethical fashion?" he asks in EcoTextile News.

Why indeed.