: This chapter discusses the impact of environmental regulations
on the global textile industry. Due to rising temperatures, population
growth and increasing levels of per capita consumption, the world’s food,
fuel and fresh water supplies are coming under increasing pressure. The
textile industry, specifi cally the dyeing, printing and fi nishing industry,
is responsible for a disproportionately large amount of environmental
damage. There is a pressing need for governments and brands to enforce
basic minimum standards to reduce inexcusable pollution. This chapter
discusses the drive to improve effi ciency to minimise the unnecessary use
of water, chemicals and energy and focuses of how the industry can aim
for excellence via the adoption of specifi c low impact technologies.
Key words: textile, dyeing, fi nishing, environment, effi ciency, pollution,