Calls for emergency support as EU textile reuse sector awaits EPR rollout

Industry associations EuRIC and FEAD have jointly called for immediate support measures for the EU’s post-consumer textiles sector while Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are phased in under the revised Waste Framework Directive.

Though the planned EPR regime is expected to shift management costs to producers, its long implementation timeline means collection, sorting and recycling operations face severe financial strain today. The groups propose temporary funding mechanisms, tax breaks and infrastructure investment to prevent the loss of reusable and recyclable textiles and safeguard circular value chains ahead of full EPR activation.

Source: EuRIC & FEAD position paper, Mid-Jan 2026 reporting