What is the EU Textile Strategy And What Does It Mean for Textile Brands?

As our understanding of the global environmental crisis grows, it has become increasingly clear that there is a significant need for change in the way we produce and consume products. While textiles is by no means the only industry contributing to environmental degradation and the climate crisis, it is one of the worst offenders. Research suggests that the consumption of textiles in the EU has the fourth highest impact on the environment, after food, housing and mobility. It comes third for water and land use and fifth highest for greenhouse gas emissions (EC).

sustainable textile fabric

While these are damning statistics, it is important to recognize that this is both a production and consumption issue. In the EU alone, individuals discard more than 5 million tonnes of clothing annually – approximately 12kg per person – and only 1% of that is recycled (EC). In an industry historically dominated by a fast-fashion business model, mass production of short-life consumables are damaging the planet, people and the textiles industry itself. 

However, change is coming. Numerous forward-thinking textile brands are embracing a more environmentally conscious approach and textile technology innovators like Polygiene are also developing solutions that reduce products’ environmental footprints. Governments are also introducing new initiatives and legislation to improve the industry’s sustainability.

The EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles is one such initiative.

What is the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles?

The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles was introduced in March 2022 and aims to implement measures that ensure the EU meets the commitments established in the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. It recognizes that the textile sector is a critical part of the EU economy and provides employment opportunities for a sizable part of the population. As such, it aims to ensure the industry’s resilience and promote competition and innovation as it transitions to a greener approach.

The EU textile strategy’s overall objectives include:

  • Ensuring all textile products sold in the EU market are durable, repairable and recyclable.
  • All products are manufactured in a way that respects social rights and the environment. 
  • Pushing against the fast-fashion business model and changing both producer and consumer attitudes.
  • Ensuring profitable repair and re-use services can proliferate.

In this sense, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles targets every stage of a product’s lifecycle, promoting sustainable production, consumption, and end-of-life practices. It encourages the transition toward a more circular economy, addresses the intensive resource demands of the contemporary textiles industry, and takes aim at a commercial rationale that emphasizes supercharged consumption.

How is the EU achieving its goals?

The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles consists of numerous new directives, guidelines, and regulations. Some of these are already in force and others will be enacted over the coming years. They include:

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

The CSRD strengthens the social and environmental reporting requirements initially established in the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NRFD) in 2014.

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)

Ensures businesses assess and mitigate the environmental and social impact of both production and their supply chains. It applies to EU companies with more than 1,000 employees and more than EUR 450 million in turnover. It will be implemented gradually.

Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

A package of measures designed to facilitate the transition to a more circular economy. It establishes a framework for ecodesign requirements for specific textile products.

Green Claims Directive

Criteria that stop businesses from making misleading environmental claims.

Waste transfer regulation

Regulations designed to prevent the export of textile waste to other countries and markets.

PEF for apparel and footwear

A standardized framework for measuring products’ environmental footprints.

Digital Product Passport

The DPP will ensure more information for textile products retailed in the EU is collected in a digital database, improving transparency and making repairing and recycling items easier.

These directives and guidelines are supported by a host of other actions, including greater microplastics regulation, changes to REACH compliance legislation and improvements to the Green Public Procurement (GPP) framework.

synthetic fabric

The strategy timeline

2022 – Launch and initial framework

The EU textile strategy was introduced in 2022, following the adoption of the Circular Economy Action Plan. Immediate efforts focused on engaging industry stakeholders, raising awareness, and establishing the frameworks to facilitate policy development.

2023-2024 – Policy development

In the two years following the strategy launch, the EU began work on policy development and drafting, focusing on several pieces of legislation that would help it achieve its aims. This included the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The CSRD’s reporting requirements came into effect in 2024. While the ESPR has been adopted as EU law, requirements are not expected to be confirmed until 2025.

2025 Onward – Implementation and enforcement

In 2025, the second round of EU directives will come into force and brands operating in EU markets must comply with relevant regulations. The Digital Product Passport will have a considerable impact on the textiles sector and data requirements for the scheme should be determined in 2025. In 2026, the Waste Shipments Regulation will come into effect. The details of the Product Environment Footprint (PEF) method for apparel and footwear will also be established. Though adopted into EU law in 2024, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will apply from 2026.

What does this mean for textile brands?

For textile brands, this means a busy few years ahead. While larger organizations will be affected more than SMEs and startups, all businesses will have to make changes. Key challenges include:

  1. Ensuring regulatory compliance – the next few years will require brands to adopt new standards and accommodate stricter environmental, labor and design regulations. 
  2. Delivering greater transparency – new reporting standards will mean textile organizations have to submit more information and commit to greater transparency. 
  3. Managing costs of transition – changes in design, manufacturing and accountability processes could result in significant up-front costs. Businesses will need to manage these costs effectively to ensure a smooth transition.

However, it is a mistake to view the EU textiles strategy as nothing but a challenge or obstacle to overcome. It also presents significant opportunities. For instance:

  1. Market differentiation – adopting more sustainable practices, technologies and production methods enables brands to distinguish themselves from the competition and attract the growing number of environmentally aware consumers.
  2. Innovation – meeting the requirements established in the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles will encourage innovation. Brands will need to embrace fresh materials and technologies and develop new, more sustainable business and manufacturing practices.
  3. Long-term savings – while innovation often requires upfront investment, it also leads to greater efficiency, pushing down long-term costs and resulting in more streamlined and sustainable businesses.
Group of women in a gym wearing antimicrobial activewear

An action plan for textile brands

Businesses seeking to prepare for the changes included in the EU sustainability will need to adopt an action plan that includes the following steps.

  1. Sustainability audit – referencing upcoming regulatory changes, brands should assess current business practices, materials, manufacturing methods and supply chain logistics. Identify and highlight areas where current practices do not meet new or expected EU standards.
  2. Transition to sustainable materials – where products currently employ unsustainable materials, brands should begin researching and incorporating sustainable alternatives, such as organic cotton, recycled polyester and newer fibers.
  3. Emphasize longevity in product design – product lifespan and durability should become central features in product design, and end-of-life concerns must be considered.
  4. Introduce circular practices – greater emphasis must be placed on shifting to a circular business model. Brands can achieve this by investing in repair services, product recycling initiatives, or buy-back programs for used apparel.
  5. A more transparent approach – brands should begin preparing for new reporting regulations by ensuring complete transparency in the supply chain and manufacturing process.
  6. Partner with industry innovators – textile businesses can collaborate with innovative textile technology companies to improve sustainability. For instance, incorporating Polygiene solutions into textiles improves their expected lifespan and reduces their overall environmental footprint.
  7. Publicize improved sustainability – brands can engage consumers based on their efforts to improve sustainability. Marketing yourself as an environmentally conscious manufacturer ensures you benefit from the steps you are taking to comply with the EU strategy for sustainability.

Improving sustainability with Polygiene textile technologies

Numerous textile brands use Polygiene technologies to improve the sustainability of their products and transition to a more environmentally friendly approach. Polygiene StayFresh™ is a groundbreaking antibacterial odor control solution that tackles unpleasant smells at the source, keeping textiles fresher for longer. In turn, this enables consumers to wash products less frequently, reducing water and energy consumption, and limiting the general wear and tear caused by regular machine washing. The result is a longer-lasting product that requires fewer resources to maintain.

Considering the EU textile strategy’s focus on improving product longevity and transitioning to a more circular economy, integrating Polygiene solutions into textiles is an effective way of meeting new sustainability standards while delivering extra value to customers.

Head to the Polygiene Freshness solutions page to learn more about our innovative and sustainable odor control technologies.