Heatwaves shift corporate dress codes in Japan as European textile laws face circularity limits

Rising temperatures and environmental concerns are driving shifts across workplace standards and apparel sector regulations.

In Japan, extreme summer heat has accelerated corporate efforts to dismantle traditional business dress codes. Companies in Tokyo are encouraging staff to swap dark suits and formal leather shoes for breathable clothing and sun protection to mitigate heatstroke risks and adapt offices to hotter climates.

Meanwhile, European initiatives targeting the environmental footprint of fashion face enforcement challenges. In the Netherlands, extended producer responsibility rules designed to compel apparel makers toward circular recycling models have seen limited impact on fast-fashion volumes. Critics note that statutory fees of mere cents per garment allow manufacturers to absorb recycling costs without transitioning to durable materials or reducing production waste.

Sources: NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting), NRC