Brussels, July 2026 – The PRO Circularity Alliance, together with the European Branded Clothing Association (EBCA), EURATEX and the Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel and Footwear, has published a joint position paper calling on the European Commission to provide timely guidance for the implementation of textile EPR across Europe.

With Member States preparing for the mandatory introduction of textile EPR under the revised Waste Framework Directive, significant differences are already emerging between national approaches. Without greater coordination at EU level, these differences risk creating unnecessary complexity, increasing compliance costs and further fragmenting the Single Market

The joint paper therefore calls on the European Commission to take a stronger coordinating role ahead of the 2028 deadline and provide Member States with clear guidance on key elements of textile waste management and EPR implementation. In particular, greater harmonisation is needed regarding the scope and definitions of EPR systems, end-of-waste criteria, EPR governance and financing, eco-modulation of fees, compliance and registration procedures, data reporting and cross-border enforcement.

For the PRO Circularity Alliance, a key priority is ensuring that the future framework allows PROs to effectively fulfil their operational role. This includes sufficient flexibility to organise collection, transport, sorting and treatment efficiently, as well as clear rules on waste ownership, financing and cooperation with other actors involved in textile waste management.

With the Circular Economy Act providing an opportunity to address fragmentation across the Single Market, the signatories call on the European Commission to use this process to support a coherent and workable framework for textile EPR across Europe.

Read the full letter here.