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In light of the current EU and its Member States discussions on the extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, the Policy Hub together with the Bureau of International Recycling, Circle Economy, Euratex, EuRIC, EuroCommerce, Government of Catalonia, and the Municipality of Milan sent a letter to the European Commission asking for EU-harmonised rules for EPR. According to the signatories, the harmonisation of EPR rules is ‘’a key enabler for championing the transition to a circular and climate-neutral apparel and footwear sector in the EU’’.

Joint Letter to the European Commission on the Need for Harmonised EPR Rules

Policies are a key driver to accelerate change in the industry, especially when it comes to circularity and sustainability. The Policy Hub’s mission is to propose such an ambitious policy framework for the industry in Europe. As Public Affairs Coordinator you will support developing this policy framework that will enable change in the apparel and footwear sector. To achieve this, you will work with the companies, European institutions and civil society.

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On 23rd March, the Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel and Footwear organised the third stakeholder roundtable on extended producer responsibility(EPR). We gathered seventeen experts from recycling, reuse, manufacturing, waste management, municipalities, brands, and fiber producers to set the foundations for EPR and assess EPR as a policy instrument for textiles. The discussion focused particularly on the scope and targets of EPR. ‍

Extended Producers Responsibility: Policy Hub Assembles Stakeholders for the Third Roundtable

Marking the anniversary of the EU Green Deal, the Policy Hub - Circularity for Apparel and Footwear together with Civil Society Organisations sent a letter to the EU Commission on 11th December. The letter endorsed the Commission's ambitious direction towards sustainability and supported its efforts to develop a comprehensive EU Textile Strategy.

Joint letter to the European Commission from the Policy Hub and Civil Society Organisations

Key apparel and footwear organisations come together to present a new proposal for a Green Recovery Plan for Europe. The Policy Hub, a joint effort of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) and Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), recently published a proposal that outlines seven key principles necessary for a green recovery for the entire industry. The proposal was developed in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Leading the way towards a green recovery for the apparel and footwear sector

The Policy Hub welcomes the publication of the Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan to boost circularity, and especially its focus on the textiles sector. The concept of circular economy and sustainable business models is not new to the textile industry, hence our enthusiasm for this action plan which lays the first stone towards the long-awaited Textiles Strategy. Offering a clear and harmonised framework to our sector is of paramount importance. Our planet’s resources are reaching their limits; we need to move away from business as usual.

Statement on the Circular Economy Action Plan publication

The Policy Hub for Circular Economy in the Apparel, Footwear and Textile Industry supports the European Commission’s initiative to address the challenge of textile waste and welcomes the consideration of extended producer responsibility (EPR) as an option to implement the regulatory requirement to separately collect textiles by 2025. Nonetheless, it is important to ensure that EPR requirements stemming from the European Waste Framework Directive are workable for the fashion and active lifestyle industry and do not hamper innovation nor competitiveness in a global trade context. The Policy Hub seeks to open a dialogue with policymakers to jointly shape a common framework for an E...

Circular clothing requires comprehensive policy

Online Event on Transparency co-hosted by the Policy Hub and MEP Delara Burkhardt

As part of the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission is developing two key policies on transparency: Substantiating the Green Claims Initiative and Empowering the Consumers Initiative, which will require companies to substantiate claims they make about the environmental footprint of their products/services and will help consumers to play their role in a green transition. In light of this, the Policy Hub organising a webinar co-hosted with Delara Burkhardt, a Member of European Parliament to discuss what is needed for an effective policy framework on transparency.

The Policy Hub hosted its second workshop on Extended Producer Responsibility on 2 September 2020

The Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel and Footwear hosted its second workshop on Extended Producer Responsibility on 2 September 2020. Stakeholders from the apparel and footwear system (recyclers, suppliers, companies, fiber manufacturers etc.) discussed two specific issues identified as key during the first discussions held in January in Brussels: eco-modulation of fees and share of financial burden.

[POSTPONED] High-level event to launch the Policy Hub - Circularity for apparel and footwear

A high-level event to launch the Policy Hub - Circularity for apparel and footwear

Assembling the European Circular Fashion and Textile System around EPR

The Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel and Footwear hosted its first workshop in Brussels on 29 January 2020.On that occasion stakeholders from the apparel and footwear system (recyclers, suppliers, companies, fiber manufacturers etc.) were gathered around one specific issue: extended producer responsibility (EPR).

Circularity has become a key concern of businesses in the apparel sector, however, companies face challenges accelerating their efforts as current policies in Europe do not provide enabling conditions.

Press Release: Launch of the Policy Hub