The revised Waste Framework Directive entered into force on 16 October 2025, introducing common EU rules for extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles and binding food waste reduction targets for Member States. The new measures will help reduce waste, mitigate environmental damage, and enhance the EU’s economic security and resilience by driving innovation in sustainable practices and reducing dependency on raw materials, in line with the EU’s Competitiveness Compass and Strategic Agenda for 2024–2029.

The Directive introduces mandatory EPR schemes for textile and footwear products across all Member States. Producers will pay a fee for each product they place on the market to finance the collection, sorting, re-use, recycling and disposal of used textiles. These eco-modulated fees, adjusted according to sustainability criteria such as durability and recyclability, link producers’ financial contributions to product design, encouraging more circular and environmentally friendly textiles. The fees will also support consumer information on sustainable textiles and research and development to improve product design and waste management operations.

All separately collected textiles are now considered waste until they are sorted and assessed as suitable for re-use, ensuring consistent application across the EU and preventing the export of unsorted textile waste. Social economy enterprises engaged in second-hand textile collection and management may be exempt from certain EPR obligations and can operate their own collection systems.

The Directive also sets binding food waste reduction targets for 2030: a 10% reduction in processing and manufacturing and a 30% per capita reduction in retail, food services, and households. Member States must update prevention programmes, promote food donation, and address inefficiencies in the food supply chain.

Member States have 20 months to transpose the Directive and 30 months to establish the new EPR systems.