On 13 June 2024, the European Commission adopted the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This Regulation enables the setting of far-reaching performance and information-related requirements – known as ‘ecodesign requirements’ – for specific product groups, to make them more environmentally sustainable and circular. Previously, the Commission had presented in 2022 the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles which aims, inter alia, to tackle fast fashion and textile waste and to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable. The Strategy lays out a forward-looking set of actions which included setting ecodesign requirements for textiles under the ESPR framework which is now in place. The Strategy also announced a revision of the EU Ecolabel criteria for textiles to support its uptake among producers and offer consumers an easily recognisable and reliable way to choose eco-friendly textile products.
In order to support the fulfilment of these commitments, the European Commission has launched a preparatory study by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). This preparatory study aims to provide a basis on which the Commission can consider the introduction of ecodesign requirements, green public procurement criteria and revised EU Ecolabel criteria for textile products. These instruments will be considered in parallel to ensure maximum synergy and complementarity. The JRC is carrying out research in line with the ESPR, following the structure prescribed by the Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP). This methodology is adapted where appropriate to adequately consider the relevant product sustainability aspects of textiles. The project also analyses information in accordance with the provisions of the EU Ecolabel Regulation 66/2010, in view of a future review of Commission Decision 2014/350/EU establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for textile products.
The JRC invites registered stakeholders to express their views and to provide comments on draft deliverables of the preparatory study in writing and in the course of the technical working group meetings that are held in support of this project. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to register by leaving their contact information via this link: https://susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/product-bureau//contact/register.
