The EU finalizes new rules on extended producer responsibility for textiles

As we reported in an article in February, the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament had reached a preliminary agreement to introduce extended producer responsibility for textiles. Now, the EU has finally adopted the rules aimed at reducing textile and food waste.

With this decision, the EU is taking a decisive step toward a more circular economy. After several years of negotiations, the European Parliament has given its final approval to new legislation designed to cut both food and textile waste across member states. For fashion and textile producers, this means a clearer responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, from production to recycling.

Producer Responsibility for Textiles

A key element of the legislation is the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles. This requires companies selling clothing, footwear, or home textiles within the EU to finance and organise the collection, sorting, and recycling of textile waste.

These systems must be implemented in each member state within 30 months of the rules entering into force. The requirements also apply to companies outside the EU selling via e-commerce to European consumers, while smaller enterprises are given slightly more time to comply.

The new rules cover a wide range of products, from clothing and accessories to curtains, bed linen, and footwear, and aim to reduce the approximately 12 kilograms of textile waste per person generated annually in the EU. Currently, less than 1% of all textiles worldwide are recycled into new products.

The Parliament also urges member states to take fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion practices into account when determining financial contributions to EPR schemes.

Binding Targets to Reduce Food Waste

At the same time, the EU is introducing its first-ever binding targets to reduce food waste by 2030. Compared to the average between 2021–2023, food waste must be reduced by 10% in the food production sector and 30% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services, and households.

Member states are also required to facilitate the donation of unsold food that is still safe for consumption, an initiative expected to both reduce waste and deliver social benefits.

Next Steps

Following the European Parliament’s approval, the law will now be formally signed before being published in the EU Official Journal. Member states then have 20 months to transpose the rules into national legislation.

A Clear Signal to the Fashion Industry

With this new framework, the EU is sending a clear message about the future of consumption: producers are not only responsible for manufacturing, but also for what happens once a product leaves the consumer’s wardrobe.

For the fashion industry, this brings not only increased obligations but also opportunities to develop new business models in recycling, repair, and circular flows.

Source: European Parliament Press Release, Parliament adopts new EU rules to reduce textile and food waste