Textiles Compliance

Is your business ready for textiles Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations?

The European Parliament is moving towards a sustainable textile industry by supporting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation for textiles.

Once approved, this legislation will require Extended Producer Responsibility for textiles schemes to be set up in each EU country within 18 months. Many countries may choose to implement systems sooner.

Question Mark

Will your business have obligations under Textile EPR Regulations?

It is expected, but not yet confirmed, that your business will have a textile waste obligation if:

  • It is a textile producer, importer, or distributor that distance sells
  • Its annual turnover exceeds €2 million, AND
  • It has 10 or more employees

We offer a range of services, which form part of Reconomy’s wider ReDress offering, that can be tailored to your needs. These include:

  • Horizon Scanning: We will use our international expertise to keep you informed of upcoming legislation and assess the impact on your business
  • Data Management: We will engage with your suppliers to collect textile weight and material blend data, then present insights to you through our online platform backed by a team of 100 analysts
  • International Compliance: We will remove the administrative and resource-intensive burden of complying in every relevant country, offering a range of services that can be tailored to suit your business’s needs.

See the ReDress tab for additional services.

ReDress is here to assist your business in getting ready for the world of textiles EPR.

Reconomy is an expert at managing millions of product returns for top fashion and homeware brands each year and has even achieved a remarkable 20% decrease in carbon intensity for its customers since 2020.

Our specialist skills and services will simplify the complexities of textiles EPR, giving you the best and easiest way to stay ahead of the game. Via ReDress, Reconomy provides additional support in the following areas:

  • Horizon scanning
  • Data management
  • Environmental compliance
  • Omni-channel take-back
  • Repair

Transform textile sustainability with Rio: Simplify, track, and lead

The Rio sustainability platform is a powerful solution for businesses in the textile industry seeking to enhance their sustainability efforts and manage voluntary initiatives with ease. With a continuously evolving landscape of environmental, social, and sustainability standards, Rio simplifies complex processes with its all-in-one, data-driven approach.

Rio enables textile companies to track and manage data for voluntary takeback schemes, helping them measure and report on the collection, reuse, and recycling of materials. The platform’s sustainability tracking capabilities also allow businesses to monitor their environmental impact, including water use, chemical safety, and carbon footprint.

By consolidating all this information in one place, Rio supports textile companies in implementing impactful sustainability initiatives. Features like automated alerts, comprehensive auditing tools, and real-time reporting enable businesses to respond effectively to new opportunities and build trust with consumers and stakeholders.

The impact of textile waste

Textile waste is a growing environmental concern that affects our planet in numerous ways. Every year, millions of tonnes of clothing end up in landfills, contributing to pollution and the depletion of natural resources. The production and disposal of textiles also release harmful chemicals into the environment, impacting wildlife and human health.

Watch our video to learn more about the significant impact of textile waste.

FAQs

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory approach that makes producers accountable for the lifecycle impact of their textile products, including collection, recycling, and disposal.

Textiles EPR is not yet in place in the UK, but it is expected to be introduced in the coming years as part of the government’s efforts to promote sustainability and reduce textile waste.

Businesses likely to be affected include manufacturers, importers, and retailers of textiles. While the exact timeline is not confirmed, staying informed and preparing early can help businesses adapt smoothly when the regulations come into effect.

Partnering with a compliance expert like us ensures you’re ready to meet these future requirements.

Textiles covered typically include clothing, home furnishings, and other fabric-based products. Specific guidelines may vary based on local or national requirements.

We offer a comprehensive range of services to help businesses navigate textile EPR requirements, including data reporting, compliance management, and sustainability consultancy.

As part of Reconomy, we have access to the collective skills and expertise of other industry-leading brands. This allows us to provide a holistic Textile Compliance service that combines our extensive knowledge of compliance frameworks with the innovative solutions and capabilities of our sister brands.

Our collaborative approach ensures we can address every aspect of textile EPR, from regulatory reporting to implementing sustainable waste and recycling strategies. With this robust network of expertise, we are uniquely positioned to support your business in meeting its obligations and achieving its sustainability goals.

Yes, we offer International Compliance services to help businesses navigate textile EPR regulations in countries where they are already in place.

For example, France has implemented a textiles EPR scheme through the “REP” (Responsabilité Élargie du Producteur) system, requiring producers to finance the collection and recycling of discarded textiles. Other European nations, such as Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands, are also developing or have introduced similar schemes.

By partnering with us, businesses can stay compliant with these regulations, avoid penalties, and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability on a global scale. Our expertise ensures that businesses are well-prepared to adapt to evolving requirements in existing and emerging textile EPR markets.

Non-compliance can lead to penalties, fines, or reputational damage. Working with us helps businesses avoid these risks.

Make an enquiry

Contact us today to learn about our Textile EPR services and how we can support your business: