About Circula-TEX

The Policy Foundation: EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles

Circula-TEX builds directly on the European Union’s Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, translating its ambitions into practical, scalable solutions. By developing eco-design guidelines, smart labels, and recommendations for the harmonised implementation of EPR schemes, the project helps make Europe’s textile sector more circular, sustainable, and future-read

About the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles

The European Union’s Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, published in March 2022, forms a key element in advancing the EU’s environmental objectives in the textiles sector, aligned with the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European industrial strategy. While the strategy itself is not legally binding, it introduces a comprehensive policy framework aimed at reducing the environmental and social impact of textile production and consumption, while fostering a ‘greener and more competitive’ textiles sector within the EU.

Key actions presented according to the strategy include the introducing a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles under the Waste Framework Directive, setting ecodesign requirements for textiles under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the introduction of a Digital Product Passport (DPP).
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What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, is a policy approach that makes producers responsible for what happens to their products even after they're sold — including when they become waste. The core principle is to make textile producers responsible for the costs of managing their products at end-of-life—such as collection, recycling, or disposal—. In this way, they are incentivised to design products that are more durable, reusable, and easier to recycle.In the textile sector, EPR schemes are being introduced to help reduce waste and promote circular practices. These schemes can be voluntary or mandatory and are often managed by dedicated organisations called Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), which handle the logistics on behalf of producers.As the number of EPR schemes continues to globally increase, the European Union has played a leading role in shaping their development. The EU's EPR framework is introduced under the Waste Framework Directive, which outlines waste management practices across Member States, including a requirement to separately collect textile waste from 1 January 2025. The Directive is currently undergoing revision, and a provisional agreement was reached in February 2025. As part of the revision, specific, mandatory EU-wide EPR schemes for textiles and food waste are expected to be introduced starting in 2027.

What is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the Digital Product Passport?

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a key European Union policy aimed at making products more sustainable throughout their lifecycle. Entered into force on 18 July 2024, the regulation addresses a wide range of factors in a product’s lifecycle, including materials, general product requirements, energy consumption and waste generation. Notably, it seeks to reduce the environmental impact of products placed on the EU market by setting performance and information requirements, known as the ‘ecodesign requirements’. Among the central policies outlined by the regulation are a ban on destruction of unsold textile and footwear products, as well as a requirement to include a Digital Product Passport (DPP) to the products. The DPP outlines that starting from 2027, products are required to have a digital record that contains details of its origin, materials, environmental impact, and disposal recommendations.The regulation covers a broad range of product categories, with requirements for specific categories to be introduced by the European Commission through delegated acts. As textiles and footwear are among the priority sectors, specific requirements will be presented for them. Currently, these rules are being discussed in consultation with stakeholders through the Ecodesign Forum, with proposals expected to be adopted by the end of 2025/ early 2026.

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