Textile EPR in Europe: A Sustainable Future with ecosistant

Textile EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) is gaining increasing importance in Europe.
In the context of the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and the EU Green Deal, companies face the challenge of taking responsibility for the disposal and recycling of their textile products. This regulatory requirement is addressed through the introduction of textile EPR systems, where manufacturers bear financial responsibility for the environmentally friendly disposal of their products.

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What is Textile EPR?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a concept that requires manufacturers to bear the costs for the collection, recycling, and environmentally friendly disposal of products at the end of their lifecycle.

Originally applied to electronics, packaging, and batteries, EPR is now increasingly being extended to textiles and footwear, as well as furniture, carpets, and mattresses.

The EU Textile Strategy mandates that, starting in 2025, all manufacturers must ensure the separate collection of textile waste.

What is the goal of Textile EPR?

Textiles have a significant environmental impact: 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from textile production. In the EU, 12.6 million tons of textile waste are generated annually, and in the UK alone, 23 million clothing items end up in landfills each year. These alarming figures highlight the urgent need for an effective textile EPR system.

What does Textile EPR mean for online retailers?

For online retailers, textile EPR means a significant expansion of responsibility: anyone selling textiles in the EU must now not only handle the sale and delivery of products but also manage their entire lifecycle – from production and sale to take-back and environmentally friendly disposal.

Retailers must prepare to meet comprehensive obligations to ensure the sustainable handling of textiles. This includes registering with the relevant authorities, annually reporting the quantities placed on the market, and paying EPR fees, which are used to fund take-back and recycling systems.

What measures must online retailers take to comply with textile EPR requirements?

Registration: Retailers must register with the relevant EPR authorities in the countries where they operate. This ensures they comply with legal regulations.
Reporting quantities and fees: The quantities of textiles sold annually must be reported, and EPR fees are applicable. These fees are used to finance the collection and recycling of textiles.
Establish take-back systems: Customers should be able to return used textiles. This means online retailers should seek take-back or recycling partners or cooperate with local collection points.
Data and reporting obligations: Retailers must provide authorities with information about the materials and quantities of their products. These reports are essential for monitoring proper disposal and reuse.

Authorized Representative, AR

The upcoming EU-wide regulation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles allows companies to fulfill their obligations by appointing an “Authorized Representative” (AR) in each EU member state where they operate, even if they do not have a physical presence there. According to Article 22a(1a) of the Waste Framework Directive, companies without a location in the respective country must designate an AR to manage their EPR obligations locally, such as textile waste management, collection, and reporting.

This regulation aims to facilitate cross-border compliance by allowing companies to meet their obligations without the need for multiple local entities. By appointing ARs, companies can ensure consistent and efficient EPR compliance, simplifying the process in line with EU standards that focus on waste reduction and recycling in the textile sector.

Why is compliance so difficult for many online retailers?

Different National Regulations
Although the EU has a common framework for Extended Producer Responsibility, individual countries have their own specific regulations and implementation practices. This means that online retailers must meet different requirements for each country they operate in.
For example, the way fees are collected, how quantities are calculated, or the reporting deadlines can vary from country to country. This makes it difficult for retailers to prepare for the regulations in each country.
Complexity of Calculation and Reporting
Online retailers often need to precisely calculate how many textiles they sell and how much packaging material is used. These calculations must be documented accurately depending on the product category and sales region, which can lead to mistakes and uncertainties.
The reporting and registration requirements can also be very detailed and bureaucratic. Some countries require retailers to report both textiles and packaging, while others ask for additional information on disposal and recycling.
Lack of Transparency in Regulations
Textile EPR regulations are still relatively new in many countries or are continuously being adjusted, which makes it difficult for online retailers to keep track. This often leads to uncertainties about which rules exactly apply and how they need to be implemented.
Moreover, many countries do not have clear, unified sources of information or central points of contact where retailers can get information about their obligations. This makes it harder to take the necessary steps correctly and on time.
Not all countries provide their regulations entirely in English, which further complicates information retrieval.
Responsibility in Cross-Border Trade
For online retailers operating in multiple EU countries, the challenge is that they must comply with the regulations in each country where they sell. This means they must approach different regulatory authorities and deal with various systems for licensing, fee collection, and reporting.
These cross-border requirements become especially complex when retailers do not have local branches to meet the legal requirements directly. Instead, they must rely on third-party providers or complex platforms.
Lack of Uniformity in Platforms and Systems
To comply with textile EPR, online retailers often need to collaborate with various dual systems or collection points established in each country. These systems do not always have uniform criteria or comparable structures, which makes selecting and registering correctly difficult for retailers.
Some countries use central platforms, while others rely on local providers, leading to fragmentation of information.
Unclear Responsibility in Marketplaces
Another issue for online retailers arises when they sell their products through marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, eBay). In such cases, it is often unclear whether the responsibility for complying with EPR regulations lies with the marketplace operator or the seller themselves.
Retailers must ensure that the marketplace meets legal requirements while simultaneously fulfilling their own obligations. This leads to legal gray areas and additional administrative burden.

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ecosistant: Your Partner for Textile EPR and More

Ecosistant offers tailored solutions for textile EPR compliance. With automated updates, ecosistant keeps its clients informed about the latest legal changes, allowing companies to act proactively. However, ecosistant’s service goes beyond textiles: it also covers packaging, electronics (WEEE), batteries, as well as furniture and mattresses. This makes ecosistant a comprehensive partner for all EPR-relevant industries. Ecosistant provides:

Time savings through digital compliance consulting
Action guides for cost-effective EPR solutions – clearly explained and designed for self-implementation
Legal certainty and updates on regulatory changes
Option for “Premium Service” where ecosistant receives power of attorney and handles obligations across Europe.

With our partner code vpcksvgl10, you get up to 10% discount.

Possible Consequences of Non-Compliance with Textile EPR for Online Retailers

Failure to comply with textile EPR regulations can have serious consequences for online retailers. The legal and financial consequences vary depending on the country and the severity of the violation. The main penalties include:

Fines: In many EU countries, companies that ignore EPR regulations are fined. These penalties can amount to several thousand euros and may even include daily fines if violations are repeated or particularly severe.
Sales Bans: Repeated or serious violations may result in a ban on selling textiles in certain markets. This poses a significant threat to online retailers’ operations and could jeopardize their entire market engagement.
Repayment Demands: In some cases, authorities may demand back payments from retailers who have not paid the EPR fees. These claims can be substantial and significantly increase the financial pressure on affected companies.
Liability and Compensation: If the take-back obligation is violated and environmental damage occurs due to improper disposal, additional legal actions and compensation claims may follow.

Overview: Textile EPR in the EU

Textile EPR in France

France has been a pioneer in the field of textile EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) since 2008 and was the first European country to introduce such a system. The French EPR system requires manufacturers, importers, and distributors of textiles and footwear to ensure the collection and recycling of their products at the end of their lifecycle. The organization Refashion (formerly Eco TLC) is responsible for coordinating the collection and recycling of used textiles, ensuring that these materials are either reused or environmentally recycled. This system plays a significant role in reducing the environmental impact of textile waste and promoting a sustainable circular economy in the textile sector.

Textil EPR in the Netherlands

On July 1, 2023, the UPV textile law came into effect in the Netherlands, introducing extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles. This law requires manufacturers, importers, and retailers to be responsible for the recycling and reuse of textiles. Specifically, they must establish and finance an appropriate collection system that includes the collection, recycling, and reuse of clothing and household textiles. The goal is to reduce textile waste and promote a circular economy in the textile sector.

Textil EPR in Italy

Since February 2, 2023, a new decree in Italy requires textile manufacturers to take responsibility for the collection, reuse, recycling, and recovery of textile waste. They must establish and finance a nationwide collection system. Additionally, products must be designed for reuse and repair, contain recycled materials, and be durable. These regulations aim to promote a circular economy in the textile sector and reduce the amount of waste.

Textil EPR in Sweden

Sweden is placing increased emphasis on textile recycling, with initiatives such as the H&M recycling service and a new textile recycling facility in Sundsvall. Starting in January 2024, textile producers must register with a producer responsibility organization (PRO) and report their textile waste. The country aims to reduce the amount of discarded textiles by 70% by 2028.

Even distance sellers who deliver textiles to Sweden must comply with the new rules and can appoint a representative locally. Textile producers who already manufacture 80% of their products from textile waste are exempt from the reporting obligation.

The introduction of EPR will lead to higher costs for textile producers, which are expected to be passed on to consumers.

Textile EPR in Latvia

Starting from July 1, 2024, all companies selling textile products in Latvia, including online retailers, must implement a textile EPR system. The system requires the payment of a fee that will be used for the disposal and recycling of textiles. The fee is designed to provide relief, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Further details on the fee structure and specific regulations are expected as the legislation progresses in Parliament. The EPR system is part of the EU strategy to promote the circular economy and reduce textile waste.

Textil EPR in Hungery

In the summer of 2023, Hungary introduced comprehensive obligations for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for various product categories such as furniture, textiles, packaging, and electrical appliances. A new aspect of these regulations is that foreign companies without a Hungarian tax number are now also required to obtain a license. However, participation in the return systems is more difficult for companies outside of Hungary, as both Hungarian authorities and the state concession company communicate only in Hungarian, and the registration portals are accessible exclusively in the national language.

How ecosistant Helps You with EPR Implementation

Ecosistant offers tailored solutions for compliance with textile EPR requirements. Through automated updates, ecosistant ensures that its clients are always informed about the latest legal changes, enabling them to act proactively. However, ecosistant’s service goes beyond textiles: it also covers packaging, electronics (WEEE), batteries, and furniture and mattresses. This positions ecosistant as a comprehensive partner for all EPR-relevant industries.

Why Act Now?

Due to the EU Green Deal, the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and the revision of the Waste Framework Directive, regulations for manufacturers will undergo significant changes in the coming years. Early adaptation to these new regulations helps companies avoid fines and regulatory issues.

Ecosistant assists businesses in managing their compliance efficiently, allowing them to save costs while advancing their sustainability goals. Ecosistant’s comprehensive service ensures that businesses stay up to date—whether it’s for textiles, packaging, electronics, or batteries.

Save Time and Costs with ecosistant

The ecosistant team believes that you should invest your time and energy into your online business rather than getting lost in the jungle of European EPR regulations.

With ecosistant’s solutions, you save valuable time in meeting your EPR obligations. Ecosistant takes care of continuously monitoring new laws and immediately informs you when there are changes or new requirements. This way, you’re always on the safe side and avoid the risk of warnings or suspensions on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and others.

Offer ecosistant

Ecosistant’s service offers businesses two flexible options to efficiently manage their EPR compliance. In the first option, customers can purchase a detailed guide for EPR registration and carry out the registration steps independently. This guide is specifically designed to simplify the registration process and provide businesses with a clear, self-explanatory structure to fulfill their legal obligations in the respective countries.

For customers seeking more comprehensive support, ecosistant offers the “Premium Service.” In this model, ecosistant, based on a power of attorney, takes over the full EPR compliance for the company in all relevant European countries. This service is ideal for businesses that want to outsource the process and ensure that all regulations are continuously monitored and correctly implemented.

Choose the option that best suits you!

Take advantage of our exclusive partner offer with ecosistant!

With our exclusive partner code vpcksvgl10, you get a 10% discount on all ecosistant offers. You can choose from 3 packages: The single-country packages are the right choice if you only ship goods to selected EU countries. With the Europe package, you get the full EPR service for all 27 EU countries + Switzerland, the UK, and Norway. The Premium package includes ecosistant handling all authority reports and managing all EPR-related obligations as your Authorized Representative.

The EPR service for packaging is included by default in all packages. Optionally, you can add other EPR categories like WEEE, textiles, and furniture per country and year as an add-on.

Country package

Digital compliance consulting

22,41 € ~~24,90 €~~

With partnercode vpcksvgl10

Europa PACKAGE

EPR Compliance – Europe-wide

359,10 € 399~~,99 €~~

With partnercode vpcksvgl10

Premium-PACKAGE

Relax!

on request

With partnercode vpcksvgl10

If a transaction is completed with ecosistant using our redeemed partner discount code, we will receive a commission from ecosistant. This will not result in any additional costs for you.

The decision to manage EPR regulations in-house or outsource to experts is a critical question for many businesses. While managing it internally may seem like a cost-saving option, the effort required to keep track of constant legal changes and requirements can be resource-intensive and risky.

Outsourcing to professionals like ecosistant offers the advantage that companies can focus on their core business while ensuring compliance with EPR regulations efficiently and legally. This helps businesses save time and avoid potential penalties or trade restrictions.