With the revision of the Waste Framework Directive, the EU is introducing a mandatory system of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles for the first time. Going forward, manufacturers and importers will be required to cover the costs of collecting, sorting, and recycling end-of-life clothing and footwear.
According to the European Commission, the updated Waste Framework Directive (WFD) has been in force since 16 October 2025.
Several EU Member States, such as France and the Netherlands, already operate established textile take-back and EPR systems.
Key Elements of the Revised Directive
- The reform primarily targets the textile sector, including clothing and footwear.
- The EU-wide EPR obligation means that producers must bear the financial responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products.
- EPR fees may be eco-modulated, with lower contributions for more sustainable, durable, and recyclable designs and higher fees for products that are harder to recycle or less durable.
- Member States have 20 months to transpose the directive into national law and 30 months to establish functioning EPR systems for textiles.
- The overarching aim is to strengthen the circular economy, reduce waste generation, and alleviate environmental impacts.
If you have any questions regarding textile EPR, feel free to ask the Go4Recycling team anytime.