European Union and France implement new textile sustainability regulations

New European regulations and economic measures are reshaping the textile industry, focusing on sustainability and traceability. The European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force on July 18, 2024, is introducing a digital product passport for textiles. This mandatory tool will allow consumers to scan QR codes to access data regarding fiber composition, recycled content, geographic origin, and repairability.

In France, economic measures are targeting ultra-fast fashion through a malus system that began on September 1. This penalty, which can reach up to 50% of a product's price, aims to reduce the environmental impact of the industry.

Simultaneously, the textile collection and sorting sector is facing economic challenges. Refashion, which manages the collection of clothing and household linen, reported collecting approximately 272,479 tonnes in 2025. To support the industrial capacity of sorting centers amidst declining international export prices, the French government has increased financial support to 268 euros per tonne for 2026.