Source Fashion introduces plan to navigate upcoming EPR regulations

Source Fashion is set to release its Mini Guide to Textiles Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the EU and UK ahead of its upcoming sourcing event, scheduled from 1315 January at Olympia London. The guide aims to help fashion businesses understand and adapt to EPR, which mandates that producers manage the collection, sorting, reuse, and recycling of textiles, while financing these systems across EU member states under the updated Waste Framework Directive. The UK is considering similar regulatory measures.

The guide provides a clear breakdown of:

• Entities and products covered by the new rules
• Applicable regions within the EU and UK markets
• Key compliance obligations and financial impacts
• Connections with existing frameworks, such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
• A visual roadmap for planning compliance through 2025

Drawing on experiences from countries including France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Latvia, Australia, and Chile, the guide incorporates case studies and best practice examples. It also highlights initiatives by WRAP, such as the Accelerating EPR Knowledge Project and the EPR Sandbox, emphasizing the importance of consumer engagement as the industry transitions towards circularity.

Despite increasing clarity, challenges remain, such as aligning regulations across markets, developing sufficient infrastructure for textile recycling, and defining the role of waste management hubs. The guide addresses these issues and provides a practical checklist for producers, retailers, and brands, covering actions like product assessments and appointing legal representatives in relevant markets.

EPR is more than a regulatory termit represents a major shift in how the fashion industry operates, said Suzanne Ellingham, Source Fashion event director. This guide is designed to make compliance more straightforward and to support businesses in leading the transition to a circular fashion economy.

The 2026 edition of Source Fashion will focus on actionable strategies for creating a responsible, circular, and data-driven global sourcing ecosystem, supported by partnerships with industry organisations.

Author: Natalie Monroe