Extended Producer Responsibility in the textile industry: What is it and how does it affect textile companies?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an increasingly important concept in the textile industry due to growing concerns about sustainability and waste management. In this article, we will explore what EPR is, how it applies to the textile sector, and the implications for textile companies.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a principle which holds producers responsible for the entire life cycle of the products they put on the market, including end-of-life management. In the textile industry, this means that clothing manufacturers and retailers must take care of textiles after they have been discarded.
How will EPR be implemented in the textile sector?
Directive (EU) 2018/851, part of the European Union’s Circular Economy Package, requires Member States to set up EPR systems for textiles by 2025, ensuring their separate collection for reuse and recycling, thus promoting a more circular and sustainable economy.
This means that, for the first time, the textile sector will be obliged to take financial and operational responsibility for the end-of-life of its products. Each country will have to set up its own system covering everything from collection to recycling and final disposal of used clothing. This is a key strategy for reducing the environmental impact of textile waste. It is already a reality in several European countries. France, a pioneer in textile regulation, introduced a mandatory EPR system in 2007. Other countries such as Hungary, Germany, and the Netherlands are implementing similar schemes to tackle the growing problem of textile waste.
How to comply with EPR?
To comply with EPR, producers can:
- Join a PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation) scheme: Register products sold and make a corresponding financial contribution. The PRO is responsible for managing the collection and recycling of textile waste. Most companies choose this option because sharing costs and responsibilities reduces the operational and financial burden.
- Individual management: Although less common, some companies prefer to develop their own collection and recycling systems and take full responsibility for the waste from their products.
In Spain, the first textile PRO has already been set up, along with one for the footwear sector, facilitating local compliance and helping to reduce the sector’s environmental impact.
How does EPR affect companies that sell textiles to consumers?
EPR is not only a legal obligation in many countries, but also an opportunity for textile companies to improve their sustainability and brand image. However, managing compliance can be a challenge, especially for companies operating in multiple markets with different regulations.
This is where T_NEUTRAL comes in. Through our T_NET tool, we help textile companies centralise and automate the declaration process to comply with EPR regulations in Europe. From data collection to the generation of the necessary documents, T_NET streamlines the process, minimises risk and simplifies companies’ responsibilities to the various European PROs.