Textile PRO Forum Calls for Standard EPR Rules Across Europe
The Textile PRO Forum has called for greater harmonisation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems for textiles across Europe after a new study revealed major differences in how countries implement regulations for textile producers.
The analysis highlights that the current fragmented approach is creating operational and administrative challenges for companies working across multiple European markets and may slow progress toward a more efficient circular textile economy.
The report, titled “Toward Harmonised Textile EPR Systems in Europe: Analysis and Recommendations,” was developed by Workstream 1 of the Textile PRO Forum with contributions from 12 Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) representing 11 European countries.
The study examined existing textile EPR frameworks and compared national systems across key areas including producer registration procedures, reporting obligations, invoicing methods, payment processes and the use of digital administrative tools.
According to the findings, there are significant differences in how countries manage textile EPR compliance. Some nations rely on online registration portals, while others require direct interaction with Producer Responsibility Organisations or public authority-managed systems.
Reporting obligations also vary considerably. Textile producers in certain markets are expected to submit data monthly, whereas others only require annual reporting. Additionally, differences exist in how countries classify textile product categories and collect information on products placed on the market.
These variations are creating a complex compliance environment for businesses operating internationally.
Industry stakeholders participating in the analysis noted that the absence of aligned procedures increases administrative costs and compliance efforts, especially for companies selling products across borders. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), online sellers and businesses with operations in multiple European countries are among those facing the greatest challenges.
The report suggests that inconsistent rules not only increase burdens for producers but also reduce the comparability of data collected between countries. National authorities may also encounter enforcement difficulties because differing standards make monitoring and evaluation more complicated.
To address these concerns, the Textile PRO Forum has outlined several priority areas for future alignment.
One of the main recommendations is the creation of a common EU-aligned registration dataset to establish more consistent requirements across member states. The report also proposes synchronising reporting timelines and simplifying administrative processes where possible.
Additional recommendations include clearer definitions for identifying responsible producers, simplified reporting procedures for smaller companies and more predictable invoicing and payment systems.
Digitalisation is another key focus area. The Forum supports the development of interoperable digital platforms that can enable smoother data exchange and reduce administrative duplication across countries.
At the same time, the report emphasises that harmonisation should not eliminate national flexibility entirely. Instead, the Forum advocates establishing a common European framework that allows countries to maintain local adaptations while ensuring core standards remain consistent.
The findings are expected to play an important role in upcoming discussions during the next Textile PRO Forum plenary meeting. Member organisations will review progress and explore further recommendations to support practical implementation of textile EPR systems across Europe.
Commenting on the findings, Anais De Bergeyck, Policy Officer at EURATEX, said that textile EPR is rapidly becoming part of the European regulatory landscape and that practical implementation is essential for long-term success.
“Textile EPR is becoming a reality across Europe, but implementation must be workable for producers and effective for authorities,” she said.
She added that harmonisation is not simply a policy objective but a practical requirement that can reduce administrative burden, improve data quality and strengthen the effectiveness of Europe’s Single Market.
As Europe accelerates efforts toward circularity and sustainable textile management, the report reinforces the need for coordinated action that balances regulatory consistency with national flexibility.
