After batteries, textiles are one of the first product groups for which the ESPR mandates a Digital Product Passport. This directly affects the fashion and textile industry — manufacturers, brands and importers — especially in the world of fast fashion and high-volume imports.
Why textiles?
The textile industry is one of the EU's consumption sectors with the largest environmental footprint: water use, chemicals, microplastics, waste. The ESPR working plan therefore treats textiles (especially apparel) as a priority early group.
What data goes into a textile DPP?
The exact field list will be set by the delegated act, but the expected data groups are:
- Material composition: fibre composition (e.g. cotton, polyester %), recycled content.
- Chemical safety: REACH-relevant substances, restricted chemicals.
- Durability and repairability: expected lifetime, repair/care information.
- Origin and supply chain: place of manufacture, due diligence.
- Environmental footprint: water, CO₂, microplastic considerations.
- End of life: reuse, recycling, textile-waste handling.
The challenge for brands and importers
- Scattered supplier data: fibre composition and origin often arrive through several suppliers.
- Greenwashing risk: "organic", "sustainable" and "recycled" claims must be substantiated because of EmpCo.
- Scale: a brand's collection runs to thousands of SKUs — unmanageable with manual data handling.
How to prepare
1. Structure fibre-composition and origin data per supplier. 2. Document chemical compliance (REACH). 3. Pair every green claim with evidence (EmpCo). 4. Batch import: thousands of SKUs must be handled in bulk — with a validated template. 5. Authentic publishing: a QR code on the label, with persona-specific views.
A business opportunity, not just a burden
A textile DPP is not only a compliance obligation: it is the foundation for circular models (resale, repair, rental). Those who provide authentic product data create new secondary-market and brand-loyalty value.
From when, and on what timeline?
Textiles are a priority group in the first ESPR working plan (2025). On the current timeline the textile delegated act is expected around 2027, with the actual DPP obligation taking effect after a subsequent transition period. In addition, from 1 January 2025 separate collection of textile waste is mandatory across the EU — which already creates a data need for brands and manufacturers.
What does a textile DPP record look like?
In practice, the DPP entry for a t-shirt might look like this:
- Fibre composition: 60% organic cotton, 40% recycled polyester (rPET)
- Origin: weaving (Portugal), making-up (Turkey)
- Chemical compliance: REACH-compliant, phthalate-free
- Durability: tested for 50 wash cycles, care/repair guide attached
- End of life: suitable for textile-to-textile recycling
The key point: every claim is backed by verifiable data and evidence — the foundation of protection against greenwashing (EmpCo).
Frequently asked questions
Does it apply to every garment?
The scope depends on the delegated act; apparel is a priority group, but there will be categories and exemptions.
Does it apply to the importer too?
Yes — the importer is responsible for the compliance of imported textiles.
How do I handle thousands of SKUs?
With batch import and a validated template; the platform must support bulk processing.
Fashion's next season is compliance. ReadyPass brings batch import, validation and authentic signing — even across thousands of SKUs.
Sources: ESPR (EU) 2024/1781; EmpCo (EU) 2024/825; REACH 1907/2006/EC. The textile field list depends on the adoption of the delegated act.
