Producer Responsibility Textiles (EPR):

Take-back obligations for manufacturers, distributors and online retailers.

Legally compliant with textiles and ECOLOGICON.

Sustainability aspects and legal obligations in the scope of the fashion and textile industry are increasing strongly, both in complexity and quantity. A new EU strategy for sustainable textiles provides for the introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles. The European Union (EU) is currently drafting a directive that will regulate the legal framework for all EU member states. By 2025, a nationwide separate collection of textiles by producer systems will be introduced in EU member states (affecting more than 160,000 stakeholders across the EU). During the transition period, all EU member states must have transposed the framework directive into nationally applicable law to ensure that textiles are collected separately and (used) textiles are transferred to a closed material cycle.

France is leading the way with regulations already in place and has already implemented environmental obligations for the marketing of textiles. The basis for this is Article L.541-10-3 of the French Environmental Code. This states that from 2022, unsold textiles may no longer be destroyed. They must be recycled or donated (textile recycling). In other countries, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, similar extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems for recycling old textiles have already been established.

Don't miss out on your legal obligations in the respective EU countries and get in touch now to be informed about developments in the respective sales markets.

Textile EPR -

What does extended producer responsibility mean?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the English equivalent of extended producer responsibility and means the following:
The manufacturer (according to legal definition) is obliged to take responsibility for his products. This responsibility does not end with the end of the product cycle, but includes the return and recycling of the products or waste (closed loop).

Manufacturers, importers and distributors or (online) retailers are already subject to different regulations on textiles in some European countries. With our consulting services, we offer online retailers, for example, simple solutions to meet their obligations Europe.

The law provides for various stakeholders to be obliged to assume product responsibility, for example:

Producers / manufacturers of textiles
Textile importers
Textile distributor
Textile disposal and recycling plants
Private and commercial end users of textiles
Take-back systems (dual systems) for textiles

If you are a legal actor in the scope of textiles, learn more about your obligations here:

Distributors, (online) retailers as well as fulfillment service providers of textiles, fabrics and fibers (textile industry) are also not exempt from the new obligations and are required to review them.

Non-compliance may result in administrative offense proceedings and severe fines for those who do not properly meet their legal obligations.

Don’t miss out on your legal obligations in the respective EU countries and get in touch now to be informed about the obligations in the respective sales markets and to implement them safely.

Our services -

Licensing of textiles or old clothes recycle (recovery)

Individual consulting approach for the implementation of your obligations from the applicable regulations
Take-back and recycling by qualified waste management companies
Perception of the obligation to notify or register collective systems.
Assumption of all administrative tasks

We offer you:

Benefit from our Europe-wide and global networks and expertise.

(Old) textiles -

Take-back with ECOLOGICON

According to the regulations in force in some European countries, there are already changes to be observed for the design, nature, labeling, take-back and recovery of the textiles or used textiles. This also applies to France, for example, where textiles that have not been sold may not be disposed of, but must be put through a recycling process or donated to a good cause.

Avoid unnecessary risk and penalties. With ECOLOGICON, you not only have a reliable and expert partner for textiles at your side.
You can have us clarify any other obligations that may apply to you in connection with the packaging of your products or also for (W)EEE or batteries throughout Europe. Trust us, the experts at ECOLOGICON.

Contact

ECOLOGICON GmbH

Goldleite 9
97234 Reichenberg – Germany

info@ecologicon.com
phone +49 931 4523070

Textile industry -

New EPR requirements for textiles across Europe

New requirements will also target the use of recycled materials and substances in order to close value cycles with the use of secondary raw materials. By applying the circular principle from the cradle to the grave (cradle-to-grave), the aim is to create incentives for closed material cycles and limit the use of chemicals and textile blends in order to increase recyclability (textile recycling).
We at ECOLOGICON are following these developments very closely, as we are already intensively involved in associations, working groups (e.g. EURIC Textile Working Group) and at board level in national associations.

If you are or could be affected by these upcoming legislative changes, we will support you in the implementation by showing you the requirements step by step and supporting you in the introduction and operational implementation of necessary measures, also in your global supply chains, in order to comply with the laws and regulations.

Partner & Cooperations

Textiles FAQ

Your questions - our answers

Which EU directive is to be expected?

First of all, Regulation (EU) 1007/2011 on textile fiber names and related labelling and marking of the fiber composition of textile products has been in force in the EU since 2012.

The EU Commission has published an EU textile strategy to transform the linear business model of the textile industry into a circular economy:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12822-EU-Strategie-fur-nachhaltige-Textilien_de

The extent to which the EU Commission will implement a tightening of legal requirements is to be revealed in the EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles published in March 2022.

Who is affected?

Any actor along the textile value chain is affected (producers and recyclers, for example on substances of concern, on repair or on the fibre composition) It is estimated that more than 160,000 actors are affected across the EU. However, the impact will be noticed across all supply chains on a global scale.
It will be a challenge to integrate the new framework conditions into production facilities and procurement structures, particularly in emerging and developing countries. This should be done as early as possible.

Which textiles and fashion goods are affected?

There will be no exceptions: all textile products, clothing, fabrics, fibers and yarns are affected.

What are my obligations?

You already have to meet specific labelling requirements for your textile products in all EU Member States. In addition, we can advise you on your producer responsibility in all EU member states where you have to fulfill further obligations and support you on the registration and reporting process as well as any other administrative requirements.