Clothing and footwear waste amounting to about 12kg is disposed per person every year in the world. To make things worse, less than 1% of all textiles worldwide are recycled into new products. That is why the EU made a deal on the prevention and reduction of waste from textiles.
The deal, Textile Waste Directive (EU) 2025/1892 which amends the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC, requires Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to ensure that all producers cover the costs for collecting, sorting and recycling waste textiles.
This article summarizes the scope and key dates of the new deal.
Learn More:
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EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): A Complete Guide
New Textile Waste Directive (EU): Concerned Products
According to the newly inserted Article 22a of Directive 2008/98/EC, producers will have Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textile, textile-related or footwear products listed in Annex IVc when they are placing them on the market for the first time.
The scope of products that fall within the EPR include:
- clothing and accessories
- footwear
- blankets
- bed and kitchen linen
- curtains
- hats
- mattresses (possibly)
Exemptions: Only producers of used textiles or self-employed tailors producing customised products are excluded from the responsibilities.
Implementation Timeline
Although the directive entered into force on 16 October 2025, Member States have until 17 June 2027 to implement the new rules into their national legislation.
Next Steps
All textile and footwear producers must apply for registration in the “Register of producers” in each Member State where they make the products available on the market for the first time. A website with links to all national Registers of producers will be arranged by the European Commission.
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This article is originally published by ProductIP:
Caspar ter Horst – Managing Director, ProductIP
Caspar has 25+ years of experience in product compliance. In 2008, he co-founded ProductIP together with Maarten van der Dussen. Caspar and his team are dedicated to support companies within the supply chain to efficiently demonstrate to customers, authorities, and users that their products meet applicable legislation and buying requirements. As a result, helping companies reduce costs, streamline operations, manage suppliers, and at the same time put compliant, safer, more sustainable products to the market.
Textile Waste FAQ
1. What is textile waste?
Textile waste refers to any discarded clothing, fabric, or fiber materials generated during production (pre-consumer waste) or after use by consumers (post-consumer waste).
2. What can consumers do to reduce textile waste?
- Buy less, choose quality: Invest in long-lasting pieces.
- Repair and upcycle: Extend the lifespan of garments.
- Donate or resell: Give clothes a second life.
- Recycle: Use textile recycling programs or drop-off points.
- Educate and advocate: Support sustainable brands and circular fashion.
3. How can businesses reduce textile waste?
- Adopt circular design principles (easy disassembly, recyclable materials).
- Improve supply chain transparency.
- Implement take-back programs or resale models.
- Use eco-friendly materials and dyes.
- Track and report waste reduction goals.
