EU Agrees On New Rules For Waste Textile Management
The Council presidency and European Parliament representatives have reached a provisional agreement on revising the waste framework directive, introducing harmonized rules for waste textile management across the EU.
The agreement establishes extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textile producers and fashion brands, making them accountable for waste generated from their products. They will be required to pay fees to support waste collection and treatment, with charges adjusted based on product sustainability and circularity.
To curb textile waste, the agreement addresses ultra-fast and fast fashion practices, discouraging premature disposal of textile products. Member states may structure fees based on product longevity and durability.
The framework ensures a level playing field for all companies, including small businesses, by providing access to necessary waste management resources. Microenterprises will have an additional year to comply with the obligations after the EPR schemes are implemented, totaling 3.5 years from the new rules’ entry into force.
Once formally adopted, EU member states will have up to 20 months to align their national laws with the directive. The European Commission will review the financing of EPR schemes and consider setting waste textile reduction targets by 2029.
