On 30 March 2022, the European Commission adopted its proposal for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This Regulation will enable 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. Together with the ESPR proposal, the Commission presented 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 includes setting ecodesign requirements for textiles under the new ESPR framework. The Strategy also announces 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. 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 will carry out research in line with the proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation, following the structure prescribed by the Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP). This methodology will be adapted where appropriate to adequately consider the relevant product sustainability aspects of textiles. The project will also analyze information in accordance with the EU Ecolabel Regulation 66/2010.
The JRC will invite registered stakeholders to express their views and to provide comments on draft deliverables of the preparatory study in writing and during three technical working groups. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to register by leaving their contact information via this link: https://susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/product-bureau//contact/register.
