EU Parliament approves new measures on textile waste: What manufacturers, retailers and e-commerce sellers need to know

On 9 September 2025, the European Parliament gave its final approval on a proposal for a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC)^[1], with the aim of significantly reducing food and textile waste in the EU. This follows the provisional agreement reached earlier this year, as discussed in our earlier article^[2], and marks a significant step forward in the EU’s transition towards a more circular economy.

Extended Producer Responsibility for Textiles: What’s Changing?

The revised Waste Framework Directive introduces harmonised rules on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textile and footwear products. Under these new measures, all producers making textiles available in the EU (including non-EU businesses selling through e-commerce channels), will be required to cover the costs of collection, sorting, and recycling of textile waste. The obligation will apply to a broad range of products, including clothing, accessories, hats, footwear, blankets, bed and kitchen linen, and curtains. Member States may also choose to extend these obligations to mattress producers.

For many companies, this represents a shift from fragmented, Member State-specific schemes to a single harmonised approach across the EU, which should reduce compliance complexity over time but may also involve higher costs in the short term as schemes are established and fees begin to apply.

Timing

Following Parliament’s approval, the legislation will now be signed by both co-legislators and subsequently published in the EU Official Journal. It will enter into force 20 days after publication. Member States will then have 20 months to adopt national legislation implementing the new requirements.

EPR schemes for textiles must be established by each Member State within 30 months of the revised Directive’s entry into force, meaning that producers could face cost and reporting obligations as early as 2028, depending on the speed of national implementation. Micro-enterprises will have an additional 12 months to comply with the EPR requirements, allowing for a more gradual transition.

Implications for Businesses

The introduction of EU-wide EPR rules will have significant commercial and operational impacts for companies that manufacture, import or sell textile and footwear products, whether through traditional retail or online channels. Businesses will need to budget for the financial contributions required under the schemes and may wish to review product design and materials with a view to improving recyclability, which could help reduce future EPR fees where eco-modulation (which may be linked to durability, repairability and recyclability) applies. Retailers and brand owners may face cost pass-throughs from suppliers and should consider how to allocate responsibilities contractually. Online marketplaces will also need to monitor compliance by third-party sellers to avoid potential liability.

Interaction with the Digital Product Passport

The introduction of EPR for textiles is expected to work hand-in-hand with the Digital Product Passport (DPP) under the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). From 2027, the DPP will require textiles to carry a digital record containing key information on composition, durability, repairability, and recyclability. This data could streamline reporting obligations under the new EPR schemes, reduce administrative burden for producers, and facilitate eco-modulated fees based on product characteristics. Businesses may therefore want to align their EPR readiness with their DPP compliance strategies - ensuring that product data is accurate, comprehensive, and interoperable across markets. Early integration of DPP requirements into product design and supply chain systems could also help companies anticipate future reporting obligations and position themselves to benefit from lower EPR fees.

Preparing for the New Regime

Whilst implementation of the new measures is still some way off, companies should begin preparing now. This includes mapping product portfolios to understand which SKUs fall within scope, reviewing contracts across the supply chain to clarify who will bear EPR costs, and engaging with national authorities and industry bodies to anticipate fee structures and reporting obligations. Businesses should also consider integrating these new requirements into their sustainability strategies, as early compliance and investment in circular design can enhance ESG credentials and create a competitive advantage.

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Co-authored by Kainat Shah.