2024 - 2028

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) sets the foundation for sustainable product standards across industries, with textiles identified as a priority sector. Its primary objective is to enhance the environmental performance of products throughout their lifecycle by integrating principles of sustainability and circularity. A pivotal feature of the ESPR is the Digital Product Passport (DPP), which ensures that products are equipped with detailed and easily accessible information about their sustainability credentials, fostering transparency and accountability across the supply chain.

2025 - 2026

Textile Labelling Regulation (TLR): Will enhance transparency in the textile industry by mandating labels to include detailed sustainability and circularity information. Complementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), it supports sustainability and informed decision-making across the sector.

2027 - 2029

CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive): This directive will require companies to conduct due diligence on their supply chains to address environmental and human rights risks, including forced labor concerns in textile supply chains​.

2024 - 2026

CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive): Expanding from traditional financial disclosures, CSRD will require large EU companies to report on their environmental, social, and governance impacts. This includes the textile industry and will begin implementation 2025 (Very large companies), 2026 (All other large companies), 2029 (Listed SMEs and non-EU companies).

2026 - 2027

WSR (Waste Shipment Regulation): This regulation targets the control of waste exports, with strict limits on waste, including textiles, to non-EU countries, ensuring that only waste suitable for recycling is shipped outside the EU​.

2026

Empowering consumers for the green transition (2024): This initiative aims to provide consumers with clear information on product sustainability and durability, allowing for informed purchasing decisions.

Right to repair: Part of a broader initiative, this regulation focuses on extending product lifespan and will likely impact textile goods by mandating repairability requirements and access to repair services for consumers​.

Prohibition on destruction of unsold Goods: Under the ESPR, the prohibition on the destruction of unsold goods (apparel and footwear) will come into force in July 2026.

2027

WFD (Waste Framework Directive): This revision introduces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, mandating textile companies to manage product lifecycles sustainably, with an emphasis on recycling and reducing waste​​.

2028

PFAS Restrictions and Chemical Safety: Under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals), the EU aims to restrict harmful substances like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) used in textiles for their water- and stain-resistant properties​​.

Green Claims Directive: Set to enforce stricter rules against “greenwashing,” this regulation will require companies to substantiate environmental claims with scientific evidence and verifiable methods, ensuring clear, transparent environmental labeling​.