This revision, formally adopted earlier in 2025 by the European Parliament and Council, introduces mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textile and related products for the first time at EU level, alongside binding targets to reduce food waste by 2030.
Mandatory Textile EPR Across the EU
Under the revised WFD, all EU Member States are required to establish extended producer responsibility schemes for textiles and footwear within a set implementation period following the Directive’s entry into force. These schemes require producers to finance and organise the collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of textile and footwear waste, in line with the EU’s circular economy principles.
Member States have 20 months from 16 October 2025 to transpose the Directive into national legislation, meaning that textile EPR frameworks must be operational by April 2028 at the latest, providing clarity and financial certainty for investments in textile waste infrastructure and circular solutions.
Binding Food Waste Reduction Targets
In addition to textile EPR requirements, the amended WFD introduces EU‑wide binding targets to cut food waste at different stages of the supply chain by the end of 2030. These targets represent a central part of the EU’s broader effort to address waste prevention and deliver on Sustainable Development Goals as part of the European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.
Next Steps for Implementation
With the Directive now in force, Member States must begin implementing the new provisions and setting up the necessary legal and administrative frameworks. The European Commission will monitor transposition and implementation, including through reporting and potential future evaluations, while stakeholders across industry, reuse and recycling sectors are preparing to align operations with the new EPR and waste reduction landscape.