The European Commission will open a public consultation inviting industry stakeholders to comment on the potential effects of forthcoming European Union (EU) ecodesign regulations and related sustainability measures on textile products, according to industry reports. The consultation follows the completion of a preparatory study by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and sets the stage for significant regulatory changes affecting apparel and other textile categories.
The consultation will focus on a technical blueprint outlining how future ecodesign requirements, green public procurement criteria and the EU Ecolabel could shape environmental standards across the textile sector. Industry participants will be able to provide input before the rules are finalised, in a move that EU officials say aims to balance environmental objectives with economic competitiveness.
The JRC study marks a milestone in the legislative process, assessing how the proposed rules could alter product design and manufacturing practices across the supply chain. Ecodesign measures, first introduced in other sectors, integrate environmental considerations throughout the lifecycle of products, encouraging durability, reparability and resource efficiency.
The consultation comes against the backdrop of broader EU efforts to overhaul the regulatory framework for textiles, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations. Under recently adopted waste-reduction legislation, textile producers will be required to finance the collection, sorting and recycling of textile waste, with Member States implementing harmonised EPR schemes within specific timeframes.
Moreover, the EU’s modernisation of product legislation seeks to incorporate digital tools, such as digital product passports, to improve transparency and product traceability. This consultation phase is expected to run through early February, offering stakeholders — including manufacturers, retailers and environmental organisations — an opportunity to influence the direction of future compliance requirements.
Industry associations have underscored the importance of engaging in the process, noting the potential implications for competitiveness, innovation and supply chain operations across the European textile market. Observers expect responses to shape the final scope and implementation timeline of the new regulatory regime.
