Japanese firms relax dress codes amid extreme heat while Dutch textile waste rules face scrutiny

Corporate practices and apparel regulations are adapting to environmental pressures across different regions. In Japan, employers are increasingly easing strict workplace dress codes as summer temperatures reach 33 degrees Celsius in Tokyo. Businesses are encouraging staff to abandon traditional suits and formal leather footwear in favor of breathable clothing, while parasols have become standard accessories for commuters navigating intense sunlight.

Concurrently, sustainability measures in the European apparel sector are confronting structural challenges. In the Netherlands, legislation designed to enforce textile circularity requires fashion brands to finance garment waste management. However, industry analysts observe that producers can satisfy statutory requirements by paying nominal fees of just a few cents per item, allowing companies to meet compliance standards without substantially reducing fast-fashion output or overhauling manufacturing practices.

Sources: NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting), NRC