What the New EU Textile EPR Means for Businesses - and How to Prepare

As of early September 2025, the EU has adopted new rules under the Waste Framework Directive that change how textile waste will be managed, placing far greater responsibility on producers through a mandatory Textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.

If your business makes, sells or distributes textiles or related products in the EU (including via e-commerce), ignoring these changes isn’t an option. Here’s what you need to know - and how to act now.

What the Rules Say

• Producers of textiles (clothing, footwear, accessories, bed & kitchen linen, curtains, blankets) must cover the costs of collecting, sorting and recycling those products.

• These obligations apply regardless of whether the producer is based inside the EU or outside but uses EU markets (including via e-commerce).

• Member States will need to establish EPR schemes within 30 months of the directive entering into force. Micro-enterprises get an extra year to comply.

• EU countries also must transpose the rules into their national laws within 20 months of the directive’s entry into force.

• Fast-fashion / ultra-fast fashion business models will likely incur higher fees under the scheme, because more sustainable, durable, easier-to-recycle products are being favoured.

  
  

Why It Matters

• Cost Implications: Businesses will need to budget for the cost of take-back, recycling / sorting, collection infrastructure, and compliance fees. Design choices (materials, durability, recyclability) will directly affect those fees.

• Design & Product Decisions: To reduce future costs, product design will need to incorporate circularity - durability, reuse, repair, recyclability. Goods that are cheaper to recycle or re-use will mean lower fees.

• Supply Chain Transparency: Producers will likely need more detailed data about materials, origin, component parts, lots entering the market, etc., to assess recyclability and properly label, collect and process waste.

• Competitive Advantage: Companies that adapt early will have a head start - more efficient design, clearer supplier relationships, possibly better reputation with clients who are demanding sustainability credentials.

  
  

What to Do Now

Here are some practical steps your business can take before the rules fully kick in:

1. Audit your product portfolio. Review current textile products/designs. What materials are used? What % is recyclable? How long is their likely use period? Could you redesign or adjust to improve durability or recyclability?

2. Map supply chains more deeply. You’ll need visibility into suppliers of textiles, fibres, trims, etc. Understand who is providing recyclable or sustainable materials vs non-recyclable or hard-to-process ones.

3. Estimate your market footprint. How many units of each textile item are placed in each EU country? This will affect the fees you’ll pay under the EPR scheme, especially since these are calculated based on what you produce/sell.

4. Engage with compliance / legal advisors.The rules will vary slightly by Member State once transposed, and there will be national guidance, fee-structures, possibly eco-modulation (fees adjusted based on sustainability characteristics). Getting ahead of this will pay off.

5. Communicate with customers and partners.Suppliers, logistics partners, retail clients - all will be interested in your plan. Transparency here helps: talk about what you are doing around design, materials, lifecycle management. It also builds trust.

   
   

Final Thoughts

The new EU Textile EPR is a game-changer. It shifts costs and responsibilities upstream to producers, but also offers opportunities: better product design, innovation in materials and waste handling, and stronger relationships with clients who care about environmental credentials.

Businesses that prepare now will avoid costly last-minute changes, regulatory risk, and possibly reputational penalties. Those same businesses are likely to gain credibility and competitive edge in a market increasingly driven by sustainability.

Need help getting ready for EU Textile EPR? Let’s talk through a roadmap tailored to your products, supply chain, and future goals.