The landmark EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, adopted by the European Parliament in June 2023, outlines a vision for textile production that respects both social rights and the environment.
As the EU policy landscape for textiles rapidly evolves and a new political cycle begins, further developments are anticipated, including a proposed Circular Economy Act expected in 2026.
This downloadable white paper covers a comprehensive overview of various EU regulations and policies aimed at promoting sustainability within the textile sector, considerations regarding their potential impact on trading partner EU countries, the need to and how Textile Industry can align with the EU’s broader environmental goals and more.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) sets a general framework for sustainable product design, highlighting key elements such as the ban on the destruction of unsold consumer products and the evolving impact of e-commerce. It addresses the management of substances of concern and introduces the Digital Product Passport, which aims to improve transparency and traceability of products. Additionally, the regulation outlines specific performance and information requirements for textiles and footwear, informed by studies such as the JRC Preparatory Study, which helps shape product policies for apparel textiles.
The Mandatory Green Public Procurement and the revision of the EU Ecolabel criteria aim to integrate sustainability into public procurement processes and enhance the environmental standards for products, pushing for greater market demand for eco-friendly products. This aligns with Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for apparel and footwear, setting clear guidelines for assessing the environmental impacts of textile products throughout their lifecycle.
The section on Green Claims emphasizes the need for accurate and transparent environmental claims made by companies, ensuring that consumers can make informed decisions. Empowering the consumer for the green transition discusses how consumers can be better informed about the sustainability of the products they purchase, thus contributing to the broader environmental shift.
The Waste Policies section focuses on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles under the Waste Framework Directive, encouraging producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including waste management. This is complemented by a deeper dive into what constitutes waste, the End-of-Waste Criteria for textiles, and the Waste Shipments Regulation, ensuring responsible recycling and disposal practices within the textile industry.
The Textile Labelling Regulation is also highlighted, ensuring that consumers have access to essential product information regarding sustainability. Best Available Techniques (BAT) for EU textile manufacturing are explored to set high standards for sustainable practices in textile production.
The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive both aim to ensure that companies within the EU adhere to stringent sustainability practices, promoting transparency in business operations. Finally, the Taxonomy Regulation plays a crucial role in guiding financial investments towards sustainable activities, including those in the textile sector, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable business models.
Together, these regulations and policies provide a robust framework for transforming the textile industry into a more sustainable and circular sector, fostering accountability, innovation, and environmental responsibility at every stage of the textile product lifecycle.
