EU Waste Framework Directive Amendment — Introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Textiles
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
In force since October 16, 2025 (Member State transposition by June 17, 2027; EPR schemes to be established by April 17, 2028)
Overview
Directive (EU) 2025/1892 of 10 September 2025 (published in the Official Journal on 26 September 2025 and in force since 16 October 2025) amends the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC and requires Member States to establish extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for the textile, textile-related and footwear products listed in Annex IVc. Producers — manufacturers, importers and distributors, as well as sellers that supply consumers directly by distance contract from another Member State or a third country — must cover the costs of separate collection, sorting for re-use, preparing for re-use and recycling (Article 22a). Producers entrust these obligations to producer responsibility organisations (PROs). The fees paid to PROs are based on weight and, where appropriate, quantity, and are modulated on the basis of ecodesign requirements adopted under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 or other harmonised Union sustainability criteria (Article 22c).
Enforcement Timeline
July 5, 2023: The European Commission publishes the proposed amendment.
March 2024: The European Parliament adopts its first-reading position.
September 10, 2025: Directive (EU) 2025/1892 is made (published in the Official Journal on September 26, 2025).
October 16, 2025: Directive (EU) 2025/1892 enters into force.
June 17, 2027: Deadline for Member States to transpose the Directive.
April 17, 2028: Deadline for Member States to establish the textile EPR schemes.
April 17, 2029: The EPR rules also apply to enterprises with fewer than 10 persons and an annual turnover and balance sheet not exceeding EUR 2 million.
Business Impact
Companies exporting or selling clothing, footwear and household textiles in the EU — including sellers outside the EU that supply consumers directly — must register as producers in each Member State where they first make covered products available (Article 22b). Member States may only allow a producer to make covered products available on the market for the first time where the producer, or its authorised representative, is registered there (Article 22b(3)). Producers entrust a PRO with their EPR obligations (Article 22c(1)). A seller established in another Member State that supplies consumers by distance contract must appoint an authorised representative in the Member State of sale; Member States may require the same of sellers established in third countries (Article 22a(3)). Member States must establish the schemes by 17 April 2028. From 17 April 2029, the rules also apply to enterprises with fewer than 10 persons and an annual turnover and balance sheet not exceeding EUR 2 million (Article 41). The detailed schemes are set in each Member State's national law.