In December 2024, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) published the document Circular Textiles Policy Review, which provides an overview of upcoming policies and measures affecting the textile market and the management of textile waste after the end of products' lifespan.
The document outlines the direction of future European policy on the circular economy and introduces several fundamental changes that the textile sector will need to prepare for.
1. Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products (ESPR)
One of the main priorities will be the introduction of binding requirements for the design of textile products through the ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation).
The goal is to increase:
product durability,
reparability,
recyclability,
and the overall environmental sustainability of textiles.
The new rules will also include a mandatory digital product passport, which will provide transparent information about the product's composition, origin, and environmental profile. This tool aims to improve product traceability and support informed consumer decision-making.
2. Ban on destroying unsold textile products
From 18 July 2026, a ban on the destruction of unsold textile products will come into force.
The objective of the measure is to:
minimize resource waste,
encourage product donation,
increase reuse rates,
and expand recycling options.
Manufacturers and distributors will need to adapt their logistics and warehousing processes to comply with the new requirements. This obligation is also part of the upcoming revision of the European Waste Framework Directive.
3. Green public procurement and EU Ecolabel revision
Public institutions will be required to prioritize environmentally friendly textile products within public procurement processes.
This will put pressure on manufacturers to:
comply with stricter ecological standards,
reduce the environmental footprint of their products,
and invest in more sustainable manufacturing processes.
At the same time, the criteria for the EU Ecolabel will be revised, with certification granted only to products meeting high environmental standards.
4. Product Environmental Footprint Rules (PEFCR)
The new rules will introduce the obligation to provide detailed information on the environmental impacts across the entire life cycle of the product.
Manufacturers will need to collect and analyze data related to:
production,
distribution,
use,
and product disposal.
The goal is to increase supply chain transparency and enable consumers to make more informed decisions.
5. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
A significant change will also be the implementation of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles.
Manufacturers will bear responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including the post-consumer phase. This will involve:
ensuring the collection of used textiles,
supporting recycling,
funding textile waste processing systems.
The aim is to reduce the volume of textiles ending up in landfills and support the functioning of the circular economy.
6. Mandatory separate collection of textile waste
From 2025, all EU Member States are obliged to introduce separate collection of textile waste.
This measure aims to:
increase textile recycling rates,
reduce landfilling,
and create more efficient textile waste management systems.
Collaboration among manufacturers, distributors, and municipalities will be critical in building collection and recycling systems.
7. Restriction of harmful chemicals in textiles
The new rules will also affect the use of chemical substances in textile products.
The use of selected substances will be restricted or prohibited, including:
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances),
which pose risks to human health and the environment.
Manufacturers will need to seek safer alternatives and adjust production processes to meet the new environmental requirements.
8. Transparency and traceability of the supply chain
Greater transparency of supply chains will also be an important topic.
Companies will be required to provide information on:
the origin of materials,
production processes,
working conditions,
and the environmental impacts of production.
These measures aim to strengthen consumer trust and support ethical and responsible buying decisions.
What do these changes mean for the textile sector?
The upcoming measures will have a significant impact on the functioning of the entire textile sector—from manufacturers and distributors to waste management. Companies will need to invest in:
new technologies,
product traceability,
recycling solutions,
and more sustainable business models.
At the same time, however, these changes bring opportunities for developing the circular economy, increasing competitiveness, and strengthening consumer trust.
