The European Union has taken a major step towards tackling textile waste by agreeing on changes to the Waste Framework Directive.
These amendments will make Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles mandatory across all Member States, placing a greater focus on sustainability and circularity in the fashion and textile industries.
What does this mean?
The revised directive will require textile producers to take financial and operational responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products. Businesses placing textiles on the EU market must contribute to the cost of collection, sorting, recycling, and responsible disposal. The goal is to create a more circular economy, reducing waste and encouraging the use of recycled materials.
Impact on producers and retailers
For textile manufacturers, retailers, and importers, the introduction of mandatory EPR will bring significant changes. Companies will be required to register with national EPR schemes and contribute to the cost of waste management. They will also need to report data on the types and quantities of textiles they place on the market and adopt eco-design strategies to improve product durability and recyclability. In addition, they will be expected to support take-back schemes and infrastructure for used textiles.
Retailers, particularly those with own-brand textile products, may face increased compliance requirements in each of the countries they operate in, and that is a really key point; distance sellers will have obligations in the markets in which they sell, not just where they have a physical presence.
Timelines for implementation and compliance
We expect that the final stages of ratifying the agreement will take another four months, with checks of the legal wording and translations still required. From the point of officially entering as law, individual countries will have up to 20 months in which to implement their systems. We expect some nations may choose to implement systems sooner, so it will be important to keep abreast of developments to ensure compliance, something that we can assist with.
How businesses can prepare
To stay ahead of these changes, textile producers and retailers should begin planning now. Keeping up-to-date with changing legislation has always been important, but will become even more so as systems are designed and implemented. Conducting an internal review of where your textile data is kept will be essential as it is often shared across multiple systems and requires consolidating to single place, if the data exists at all. If it doesn’t exist, then planning how gaps can be filled will be a key concern. Businesses will also benefit from agreeing their position on elements such as takeback and repairs, which are likely to feature in EPR systems. Finally, ensuring that teams, suppliers, and customers are aware of the shift towards responsible textile management will be key.
The EU’s decision marks a pivotal moment for the industry, setting a clear trajectory towards a more sustainable and accountable textile sector. Businesses that act now will be better positioned to meet compliance requirements while benefiting from the transition to a circular economy.
Get support with compliance
Navigating new EPR requirements can be complex, but we are here to help. Our team of compliance experts can support your business in understanding its obligations, managing textile data, and ensuring compliance across multiple markets.
Whether you need assistance with registration, reporting, or strategic planning for circular economy initiatives, we provide tailored solutions to keep your business on track.
Get in touch with us today to ensure you’re prepared for the changes ahead.
