Italy Approves Draft Textile EPR Rules to Accelerate Circular Economy Transition
Rome, Italy: Textile EPR Rules, Italy has taken a significant step toward creating a more sustainable textile industry after approving draft regulations introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textile products. The proposal, presented by the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), received the backing of the Unified Conference and forms a key part of Italy’s National Strategy for the Circular Economy.
The proposed regulation will require manufacturers, importers, and large-scale distributors that place textile products on the Italian market for the first time to take greater responsibility for managing textile waste at the end of a product’s life. Companies will be required to establish or financially support systems for collecting post-consumer textiles, helping Italy improve separate textile waste collection and recycling rates.
According to Gilberto Pichetto, Italy’s Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, the approval marks an important milestone in transforming production and consumption patterns.
“The favourable opinion expressed today by the Unified Conference on the regulation introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility regime for textile products represents a fundamental step toward a more sustainable production and consumption model, in line with the European circular economy objectives,” Pichetto said.
The draft regulation expands the definition of a “producer” to include importers and distributors introducing textile products into the Italian market for the first time. The move reflects the changing structure of global textile supply chains and aims to encourage businesses to produce higher-quality, longer-lasting garments while reducing fast-fashion waste.
In addition to waste management obligations, the new framework promotes eco-design principles and greater use of recycled materials throughout the textile value chain. It also introduces measures to improve product traceability, transparency, and oversight of collective producer responsibility systems while ensuring fair competition, including for online retailers.
MASE believes the regulation will help build a more efficient and sustainable textile supply chain by placing environmental responsibility at the core of business operations.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the proposal. Reverse Logistics Group (RLG), a specialist in environmental compliance and take-back solutions, described the regulation as a landmark development for Italy’s circular textile economy. The organization said the clearer framework would provide businesses with certainty while encouraging the production of more durable, repairable, and recyclable textile products.
Sara Faccioli, Managing Director of RLG Italy, called the approval a long-awaited reform.
“The green light of the proposed Textile EPR regulation is a landmark moment for Italy’s textile sector and a significant step towards building a more circular and resource-efficient economy. This is a long-awaited reform that provides businesses with greater certainty while establishing a clear framework for producer responsibility in the textile value chain,” she said.
With the proposed EPR framework, Italy aims to strengthen environmental protection, drive innovation, and improve the global competitiveness of its textile industry. The regulation is expected to play a crucial role in aligning the country’s textile sector with broader European Union circular economy goals while promoting responsible production and sustainable resource management.
