Ecodesign: What’s Next for Sustainable Fashion and Furniture?

The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (“ESPR”) targets textile and furniture as two of the priority industries for introducing new rules to improve the environmental sustainability of any products placed on the EU market. The ESPR sets standards and introduces new measures like the Digital Product Passport and a ban on unsold consumer products.

Why is this important for the fashion and furniture industry?

It will not have escaped anyone’s attention that particularly the fashion industry has faced criticisms in recent years surrounding the destruction of unsold collections, overproduction and the general downsides of fast fashion. Indeed, 5 million tonnes of clothing are discarded each year in the EU, with only 1% of material currently being recycled into new clothing. Similarly, the furniture industry has struggled to move to a circular model, with items like mattresses and sofas hardly ever being recycled.

It is therefore no wonder that textiles and furniture are one of the first in line for new rules to improve product sustainability. Some companies might by now be a bit dazzled by the host of sustainability regulations that have come their way over the last few years, including new rules on green claims, Extended Producer Responsibility, and the Deforestation Regulation. But with the ESPR, the EU Commission aims to improve the actual sustainability of products themselves and the information that consumers receive about them.

The new rules are set to impact the entire fashion and furniture industry, as they will not just apply to EU-based companies, but to any products that are put on the market in the EU. This will require adjustments from producers, importers, distributors, but also the big fashion and furniture platforms, as online marketplaces are given a separate supporting role under the Regulation. 

What are the main obligations?

The ESPR sets ambitious goals and employs a wide range of mechanisms to achieve this. The following should be the main focus for the fashion and furniture industries: 

• Performance and information requirements

Within the framework of the ESPR, separate performance and information requirements will be introduced for each product group, tackling among others durability, repairability, recyclability, efficient use of resources, recycled content, and environmental impact.

The requirements will take further shape over the coming years as they are laid down in delegated acts. But for textiles and furniture, one might think of a minimum percentage of recycled fabric, rules aimed at making apparel and furniture longer-lasting and easier to repair and recycle, availability of spare parts, efficient use of natural resources including water, prevention of microplastics being released into the environment, use of environmentally friendly dying processes, and so on.

• Digital Product Passport (DPP)

As one of its main mechanisms, the ESPR seeks to introduce the DPP, which is intended as an important tool for consumers in providing key information about individual products. The DPP aims to enhance product traceability and help consumers make informed choices.

Particularly in the fashion industry, the DPP has already received a great deal of attention. As part of the EU’s CIRPASS project, industry players have been involved in developing prototypes for among others the textile industry, and also various commercial providers have already jumped on this.   

• Ban on destruction of unsold consumer products

While it may be extended to other product groups in future, for apparel, clothing accessories and footwear it will be a reality as of 19 July 2026: the destruction of unsold consumer products will be prohibited. 

As reasons for prioritising these particular product groups, the EU has pointed to unnecessarily high production volumes, the short use phase of textiles, and a resulting waste of resources. The ban will require even better supply chain management at a time when many companies are already struggling on this front, and the exploration of further options for reuse.

• Labelling requirements

Finally, the ESPR will also lead to changes in labelling requirements, to be adopted as part of the planned revision of the Textile Labelling Regulation (EU No 1007/2011). 

How to make the most of Ecodesign?

The ESPR brings with it many new obligations and will require effort from companies to stay compliant. But increasingly there are voices saying the ESPR could also bring opportunities and new ways of engaging with customers.

The various measures are likely to give a boost to the already fast-growing second-hand market. At the same time, the DPP offers improved possibilities for authentication and traceability of products, which will be welcomed in the luxury sector. Along with the various information requirements under the ESPR, the DPP could also offer new means of storytelling for your brand and of staying connected to customers.

Want to learn more?

Join us for our webinar series, where we help you get prepared for the upcoming changes under the ESPR.