In 2015, United Nations member states defined the 17 climate objectives for Sustainable Development, the famous 2030 Agenda. These compromises are becoming a reality through some regulations from different authorities such as the European Commission, that promote circular economy as the solution for developing new business models that are more sustainable for our planet and society.
The textile industry is also into this change as one of the most polluting industries in the world. This article will sum up the different regulations that the EU will launch in the textile industry landscape.
European Commission is making efforts to adopt a circular economy and it is visible through their latest regulations. Several regulations related to these objectives in different stages cover different stages of the lifecycle of products. We can resume them in the following table:
As we have seen, the UE is developing a lot of legislation related to the new circular economy landscape that aims to achieve due to the United Nation’s SDG, trying to change how European society produces and consumes. Some of them are currently approved or in implementation, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities, or the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
Companies must be ready to adapt their operations to comply with this new legislation if they want to survive and grow.
Nowadays, it is possible to find different complying solutions, such as Recovo’s CiMS software, which digitalizes warehouse management, or other recycling solutions for companies’ waste that cannot be reused.
Another aspect that companies must focus on if they want to use these changes as an opportunity is related to marketing and communication. It is a fact that society is more conscious about its climate footprint and both existing and new businesses use this type of good practices as a competitive advantage. As every landscape changes, new opportunities come up.
One of the most important objectives that the newest regulations focus on is transparency. Greenwashing practices have been common during the last years to take advantage of society’s climate consciousness.
The European Commission will control and ban Green Claims practices, both on environmental and human rights claims, introducing regulations such as the Substantiating Green Claims directive which requires to companies more information about their real sustainable efforts
In the textile sector, information about the garment’s fiber composition, care instructions, and origin country must be provided on their labels (Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011), verifying compliance with environmental and ethical EU standards.
One of the easiest solutions for complying with transparency requirements is deadstock fabrics marketplaces such as Recovo’s, which provides information about the fabrics’ origin and labels water CO2 emissions and chemicals saved due to this type of service.
To extend the lifespan of materials and promote a circular economy. This will ensure that products can be repaired, reused, and upcycled by both businesses and consumers. Right to Repair legislation aims to force brands to ensure repairing options to their consumers and other solutions that enlarge the product’s lifecycle.
This emerging landscape fosters a shift towards circular choices by making sustainable products more attractive options for consumers.
As information is one of humanity’s most powerful tools, these new regulations empower brands and consumers by providing clear certifications and robust guidelines to validate green claims and identify non-compliant practices.
While non-compliant brands risk reputational damage and operational challenges due to lost consumer trust, environmentally responsible brands stand to gain market share as consumers increasingly favor carbon-neutral options.
European regulations are changing following the European Commission’s aim to turn to a circular economy. We have seen how new regulations related to the environment and an ethical society are becoming a reality and also how consumers are changing their behavior, valuing brands whose principles are aligned with the circular economy.
This new paradigm shift will create new opportunities for many brands and can also sink others whose practices are not responsible for our environment. It is very important to be aware of when regulations are going to be implemented and how this regulations landscape is evolving during the next years.
Recovo creates circular solutions for the fashion industry. We cover various aspects of the circular economy for brands:
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