The Potential Impact of the EU Eco-Labelling Programme on Colombian Textile Exports

The Colombian textile industry produces an average of 75 000 cubic metres of material per year. The textile industry represents 8.6 per cent of Colombia’s total industry aggregate value, and generates approximately 50 000 jobs through direct employment (see Table 6.1). Production in this sector is semi-capital-intensive. The process of technological reconversion has implied a major shift from non-qualified to qualified labour. This change towards capital-intensive production has affected the cost structure in the industry. Table 6.2 summarizes the current situation of some sectors of the industry.