Environmental group ECOS warns the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation risks prioritizing consumer information over binding production changes.
The European Commission’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) aims to overhaul apparel production with mandatory ecodesign rules and a Digital Product Passport for supply chain transparency. Textiles are a priority due to their high environmental impact, including waste, water use, and chemical pollution of up to 13 million tonnes annually from synthetic materials.
ECOS, an NGO involved in shaping the regulation, cautioned that current proposals lean heavily toward consumer data disclosure rather than enforceable production requirements. Key decisions remain under consultation, with a roadmap extending to 2030, but the group argues the framework may not sufficiently curb fast fashion’s environmental harm.
The regulation is part of the EU’s broader push to reduce the environmental footprint of products sold in its market. However, critics highlight gaps in addressing core issues like chemical use and emissions in textile manufacturing.