Textile items to face stricter sustainability rules upon import within EU

The European Commission has selected the first group of products that will soon need to meet higher sustainability standards under the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), adopted in June 2024. This regulation requires manufacturers to enhance product durability, increase the use of recycled components, and improve energy and resource efficiency.

The initial list of targeted products includes clothing, furniture, tyres, mattresses, steel, iron, aluminium, and a range of electronics, such as dishwashers, mobile phones, and electric vehicle chargers. According to an article by Euractiv, these products were chosen because their design has a significant impact on climate change and resource consumption.

Starting from mid-2028, companies making these products must comply with new rules that will make their goods more durable, use more recycled materials, reduce water and chemical usage, and, in many cases, meet new energy labeling requirements.

The fashion industry’s inclusion on the list comes as no surprise, given its substantial environmental footprint. According to the UN, fashion contributes 2–8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a major consumer of raw materials and water. The EU’s top environmental agency has emphasized the need for the sector to shift away from fast fashion and focus on producing higher quality, more durable, and recyclable clothing.

Although chemicals, plastics, and footwear were considered for the first list due to their significant environmental impact, they were ultimately left out for now—a decision criticized by some environmental groups. Emily Best from ECOS (Environmental Coalition on Standards) described their exclusion as "a missed opportunity," urging the Commission to prioritize these sectors in the near future. ECOS' Luca Boniolo also highlighted that footwear alone is responsible for about one-fifth of the textiles sector’s greenhouse gas emissions and called for improvements in its repairability and recyclability.

The Commission plans further studies to assess sustainability measures for chemicals, plastics, and footwear. It is hoped these sectors will be added in upcoming updates to the ESPR list.

According to the approved five-year work plan, specific sustainability rules will be introduced gradually. Delegated acts setting concrete requirements will begin by the end of 2026 for steel and electronics, 2027 for aluminium, textiles, and tyres, and 2028 for furniture.

By Nazrin Sadigova