New EU Rules Redefine Chemical Management For The Textile Industry
The European Union is set to significantly reshape how the textile and apparel industry manages, tracks and reports chemicals, with new requirements under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) placing chemicals at the centre of sustainability and compliance.
The regulations mandate greater transparency, verified data and value-chain collaboration, compelling textile companies to rethink traditional chemical management systems as reporting timelines approach and the list of Substances of Concern (SoCs) continues to expand.
Under ESPR, a Substance of Concern is defined as any substance that meets criteria under REACH, the EU CLP Regulation, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation, or that negatively impacts recyclability. Currently, more than 4,600 substances fall under this definition, a number expected to rise further in 2026 with the introduction of new hazard classes, including endocrine disruption and bioaccumulation. Growing scrutiny of PFAS use in textiles reflects this tightening regulatory landscape.
Together, ESPR and CSRD establish a comprehensive accountability framework, spanning chemical suppliers, manufacturers and brands. ESPR focuses on product-level requirements, including the disclosure of SoCs and integration of verified chemical data into Digital Product Passports, while CSRD enforces company-level disclosures on the quantities of SoCs and SVHCs manufactured, used or emitted.
The shift exposes limitations in traditional chemical documentation such as Safety Data Sheets, which often lack full formulation transparency. As a result, companies operating in the EU will require verified, standardised chemical input data to meet compliance obligations.
In response, bluesign highlights the importance of verified chemical management systems that enable the identification, traceability and reporting of SoCs across the supply chain. Through independently verified chemical data and digital tools, the bluesign system supports compliance with ESPR and CSRD while advancing safer chemistry and responsible production.
Despite increased regulatory complexity, the new EU rules also present an opportunity for textile companies to strengthen risk management, circularity, worker and consumer safety and build trust through transparency. Early adoption of verified chemical data and clean input design is expected to provide a competitive advantage as global regulatory expectations continue to rise.
