As reported by the European Commission, the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) came into force on 16 October 2025 and introduces common rules for extended producer responsibility (EPR), particularly for textiles.
Here is a brief summary of the revised Waste Framework Directive:
- The revision is aimed in particular at the textile sector (clothing, footwear, etc.).
- A Europe-wide mandatory "extended producer responsibility" (EPR) is being introduced for textiles: producers must pay for the collection, sorting and recycling of discarded textile and footwear products.
- EPR fees can be "eco-modulated", i.e. higher for less sustainable designs (e.g. shorter service life, poorer recyclability) and lower for more sustainable designs.
- Member States have 20 months to transpose the directive into national law and 30 months to introduce EPR systems for textiles.
- The aim is to achieve a more circular economy, less waste generation, and lower pressure on raw materials and the environment.
What should I do as a textile producer or seller?
- The new requirements from ESPR, ECGT, Green Claims Directive, CSDDD and the revised Waste Framework Directive will become binding in the coming years – many of them are already underway. For producers and sellers, this means that now is the right time to set the course.
- Specifically, companies should start to gear their processes towards greater transparency and traceability. This includes, among other things:
- Collecting and structuring material and supply chain data as a basis for the upcoming digital product passport
- Verification and traceability of environmental and sustainability claims,
- Integrating durability, reparability and recyclability into product design
- Establishing internal responsibilities for compliance and due diligence
- and preparing for extended producer responsibility for textiles, which will become mandatory in the future.
- Those who act early are better prepared for upcoming verification requirements and can position themselves for the future in the transition to a circular textile economy.
As a textile producer or seller, how can I meet the many requirements?
- If you do not have internal quality or compliance managers for textiles or need support as a compliance manager in the area of textiles, trade-e-bility can help you with everything from taking on individual tasks to the complete management of your textile compliance. You can find an overview in our section Solutions for Textile Compliance.
Who can I ask about textile compliance?
Anika May from trade-e-bility will be happy to assist you via +49/40/750687-300 or send us an email.
