F&R_Magazine_0826_ENG

Regulations resellers should know about Sustainability in Europe

What’s coming next is not optional reading, but essential background information for future-proof business practices. Below is a quick overview of the EU regulations shaping the rules of the sustainability game, affecting blank apparel resellers today and tomorrow.

PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation): New EU packaging rules aim to reduce waste and improve recyclability. Packaging requirements will become stricter between 2026 and 2030. EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility): Whoever places packaging on the market is responsible for its end-of-life impact. This may require registering with national EPR schemes and paying fees, depending on your role in the supply chain. Rules differ by country. Already active in several EU countries. Expanding under PPWR from 2026. CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive): Companies must identify and address human rights and environmental risks across their entire supply chain. In practice, large companies will require suppliers to prove compliance through audits and documentation. Without proof, you risk being excluded from supplier lists. Already in force for large companies in some EU countries, phased EU rollout starts in 2027.

CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive): Companies must report on their environmental and social impact. This means many customers will increasingly request sustainability data from suppliers and resellers. Already in force for large companies, expansion continues from 2026. Green Claims Directive: Sustainability claims such as “eco-friendly” or “green” will need verified proof. Greenwashing could become a legal risk from 2027. AGEC (Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy): Products sold in France must comply with TRIMAN labelling and traceability require- ments. The law also bans the destruction of unsold goods and requires improved product traceability by indicating the countries where the last three production stages (knitting, dyeing and CMT) took place. Only in France. Already active.