5th July, 2023- The Commission is proposing rules to make producers responsible for the full lifecycle of textile products and to support the sustainable management of textile waste across the EU.
This initiative will accelerate the development of the separate collection, sorting, reuse and recycling sector for textiles in the EU, in line with the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. Increasing the availability of used textiles is expected to create local jobs and save money for consumers in the EU and beyond, while alleviating the impacts of textile production on natural resources.
The updated EU Industrial Strategy highlights the need to accelerate the green and digital transitions of EU industry and its ecosystems. To that end, it proposes cooperation between industry, public authorities, social partners and other stakeholders.
Textiles are the fabric of everyday life – in clothes and furniture, medical and protective equipment, buildings and vehicles. According to the European Commission, urgent action is needed as their impact on the environment continues to grow.
EU consumption of textiles has, on average, the fourth highest impact on the environment and climate change, after food, housing and mobility. It is also the third highest area of consumption for water and land use, and fifth highest for the use of primary raw materials and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Strategy looks at the entire lifecycle of textile products and proposes coordinated actions to change how we produce and consume textiles.
The Strategy lays out a forward-looking set of actions. The Commission will
Set design requirements for textiles to make them last longer, easier to repair and recycle, as well as requirements on minimum recycled content
Introduce clearer information and a Digital Product Passport
Reverse overproduction and overconsumption, and discourage the destruction of unsold or returned textiles
Address the unintentional release of microplastics from synthetic textiles
Tackle greenwashing to empower consumers and raise awareness about sustainable fashion
Introduce mandatory and harmonised Extender Producer Responsibility rules for textiles in all Member States and incentivise producers to design products that are more sustainable
Restrict the export of textile waste and promote sustainable textiles globally
Incentivise circular business models, including reuse and repair sectors
Encourage companies and Member States to support the objectives of the Strategy
