The UK sourcing trade show Source Fashion has released a comprehensive guide aimed at helping brands and retailers navigate the new textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements that will come into effect across the EU and potentially in the UK from 2026.
Under the revised EU Waste Framework Directive, EPR will place responsibility on producers for the collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of textiles, as well as for funding the systems needed to support these processes. The UK is exploring similar measures as it considers future legislative frameworks for textile waste and circularity.
The guide provides detailed explanations of which products and companies will fall under the new rules and sets out the geographical scope for compliance across EU member states and the UK. It also outlines key obligations and potential cost implications for businesses, while mapping out how the upcoming rules intersect with other policy frameworks, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. A visual timeline is included to help companies plan their transition throughout 2025.
Drawing on international systems already operational in France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Latvia, Australia and Chile, the guide features case studies and examples of best practice from markets where EPR is more established. It also highlights related initiatives led by WRAP, including the Accelerating EPR Knowledge Project and the EPR Sandbox, noting that improved communication with consumers will be essential as the industry moves towards circularity.
Despite progress in policymaking, uncertainties remain over how different jurisdictions will align requirements, the scale of infrastructure needed to process textile waste, and the future role of waste-management hubs. The guide addresses these concerns and provides a practical checklist for brands, retailers and producers, urging them to begin preparations immediately—ranging from conducting product assessments to appointing legal representatives in each market where goods are sold.
Suzanne Ellingham, event director at Source Fashion, said the shift represents a fundamental change in how the fashion sector must function. She noted that the aim of the guide is to make the transition clearer and more achievable, enabling businesses not only to meet upcoming legal responsibilities but also to take a leading role in the global movement towards a circular fashion economy.
