The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is entering its finalization phase in Brussels, with adoption expected by the end of 2026. The apparel sector will be the first to be affected by this package of measures designed to regulate product sustainability.
To support the industry, an ESPR Reference Document was published in July 2025. This 30-page guide is intended to help companies anticipate the upcoming regulation and prepare for their new obligations.
Among the flagship measures is the obligation, starting in 2025, to publish the number of unsold goods destroyed, followed by a progressive ban (for large companies from July 2026, for medium-sized companies from 2030). The document also addresses future requirements for information and performance, including durability, repairability, share of recycled content, presence of substances of concern, and overall environmental footprint. At the national level, France is moving forward quickly: thanks to the Climate Law (suspended until May 14, 2025) and the initiatives of the eco-organization Refashion, it has introduced a standardized environmental score for clothing, scheduled to become operational in 2026. France’s regulatory leadership (AGEC law, ban on destroying unsold goods, etc.) gives it a strong position to influence European negotiations.
At the heart of the reform, the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is set to become the flagship tool of the European strategy. Conceived as a digital identity card for each garment, it will provide details on composition, origin, repairability, recyclability, and environmental footprint. For consumers, it promises greater transparency; for companies, it represents an obligation to ensure end-to-end traceability across the value chain. Beyond simply sharing information, the DPP will incorporate performance requirements, such as minimum levels of recycled content, physical durability criteria (resistance to washing, pilling, etc.), and restrictions on certain hazardous substances.
The JRC (Joint Research Centre of the European Commission) has clarified that only fiber-to-fiber recycled materials will count towards future regulatory thresholds, with verification relying on a certified chain of custody. For the fashion industry, this is a major challenge: the DPP requires investment in new systems for data collection, certification, and transparency, potentially transforming business models by placing sustainability at the core of competitiveness.
The ESPR requires companies to provide clear and verifiable information about their products. As outlined in the ESPR Reference Document, these obligations aim to guarantee transparency and allow both consumers and authorities to track product sustainability. Mandatory information includes:
▪️Product composition: fibers, materials, substances used, presence of substances of concern;
▪️Durability and repairability: resistance to use, repair options, estimated lifespan;
▪️Recyclability and recycled content: percentage of fiber-to-fiber recycled fibers;
▪️Environmental footprint: impacts across the product’s entire life cycle;
▪️Digital Product Passport (DPP): centralizing and making all of the above data accessible.
This information must be available throughout the value chain, from production to the final consumer, in order to demonstrate compliance and strengthen trust in sustainable products.
Fashion companies face several major challenges in complying with the ESPR and preparing for the future:
🟢 Defining ecodesign requirements as information and/or performance obligations, to clearly understand expectations for their products;
🟢 Establishing a framework for performance requirements, enabling consistent evaluation of durability, repairability, recycled content, and other environmental criteria;
🟢 Shaping their positioning and communication to remain visible and influential in European discussions and to help shape the final rules.
To address these challenges, brands can leverage innovative technological solutions, such as those offered by Deda Stealth. These solutions enable companies to:
🔴 Collect and centralize all relevant product data, from composition to environmental performance;
🔴 Monitor and analyze product durability and traceability across the entire value chain;
🔴 Generate performance reports and indicators to support sustainable strategy and communication with consumers and partners.
By integrating these technologies, brands can not only anticipate and meet regulatory requirements but also optimize their sustainability strategies, strengthen their competitiveness, and position themselves as responsible and innovative leaders in the European textile industry.
