EU Parliament approves landmark rules on textile waste: What brands and retailers must do next
The European Parliament has formally approved new rules that will reshape how textile waste is managed across Europe. This decision represents one of the most significant steps to date in addressing the growing environmental impact of textiles, bringing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) into the heart of fashion and retail.
What the new rules mean
The revised EU Waste Framework Directive introduces binding obligations for all producers, including e-commerce sellers into the EU:
- Full financial responsibility for the collection, sorting, and recycling of textile waste.
- Mandatory national EPR schemes to be introduced in each Member State within 20 months of the Directive entering into force, and operational within 30 months.
Europe generates 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste each year — around 12 kg per person, mostly from clothing and footwear. These new rules are designed to shift that burden onto producers and accelerate circular solutions.
Why this matters for the textile sector
For brands and retailers, this marks the start of a compliance countdown. Businesses trading in the EU will need to:
- Budget for new producer fees linked to textile EPR.
- Prepare for more detailed reporting on materials, products, and waste flows.
- Assess supply chains and product portfolios for circularity and recyclability.
- Anticipate pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to show credible action.
Those who prepare early will not only avoid compliance risks but also position themselves to lead in circular business models, turning regulation into an opportunity.
How Reconomy provides support
At Reconomy, we enable businesses to navigate complex regulatory changes by providing clear, actionable insights. Our Textile EPR Impact Assessments help brands to:
- Map the operational and financial impacts of the new rules
- Plan effective compliance strategies ahead of deadlines
- Explore circular solutions that reduce waste and unlock new value
By taking steps now, businesses move beyond compliance and contribute meaningfully to the circular economy, discarding out-dated linear practices in favour of a more sustainable future.
This supports Reconomy’s commitment to closing ‘the circularity gap’; working with businesses to increase the volume of materials repaired, reused and recycled thereby preventing the creation of waste.
Discover our #CloseTheGap campaign
Next steps
These new rules will enter into law once it is published in the EU’s Official Journal, after which the countdown begins. For brands, the message is clear: the time to act is now.
To learn more about how Reconomy can support your business with Textile EPR readiness, contact us