On February 9, 2026, the European Commission took a step that will change the rules of the game inthe textile industry. They were approvedthe first delegated acts under the Regulation onecodesign of sustainable products (ESPR), aimed directly at textiles, clothing and footwear.

For Bulgaria, this is not just another bureaucratic directive. The sector generates€1.8 billion exportsand provides livelihood to over22% of those employed in industry. This is a signal of fundamental change.

End of dumping: What exactly is changing?

The adopted measures introduce two critical requirements:

1. Prohibition on destruction of unsold consumer goods:Companies are no longer allowed to burn or landfill usable produce.
2. Full transparency:Brands and retailers are required to publicly report the quantities and management of unsold products.

The statistics are startling:Every year, between 4% and 9% of textile products in the EU are destroyed before reaching a customer. This generates nearly 5.6 million tons of CO₂ per year.

The Digital Product Passport (DPP): The clock is ticking

Although the official delegated act forDPP for Textilesto be expected at the end of 2027, the actual deadline for full compliance isearly 2029

If you think that's a long shot, think again. Preparation for the DPP requires:

• Deep Tracking:Data on materials, origins and processes throughout the chain.
• Technology integration:QR codes or NFC tags on each item.
• Life cycle:Information about repair and recycling options.

Competition does not sleep: Why is "now" better than "tomorrow"?

Your partners in Western Europe are already changing their criteria. Brands likeH&M, Zara and Primarkwill request DPP data from their suppliers. If Bulgarian factories cannot provide them as standard, they will simply be replaced by manufacturers who are already investing in this infrastructure.

This is no longer a question of ecology, but of market access.

Roadmap to Action: How to Prepare?

1. Immediate steps (Q1 2026)

• Data Audit:Do you know the exact chemical and material composition of each thread?
• Mapping:Can your suppliers provide you with reliable information?

2. Medium-term planning (2026–2027)

• Testing Platforms:Start evaluating DPP software solutions.
• Pilot projects:Apply the new requirements to one product line only.

3. Full integration (2027–2028)

• Automation:Connect your production systems directly to the EU's digital infrastructure.

Digital Product Passport: Your regional partner

In a sea of ​​expensive Western European corporate solutions,DigitalProductPasswordstands out as the only specialist supplier ofDigital product passport of the Balkans.

Why Bulgarian SME producers chooseDigitalProductPassport?

• Regional Pricing:Adapted to the scale of local business.
• Expertise in Bulgarian:No loss of meaning in translation.
• Practical help:We don't just provide software - we help structure the data.

Don't wait for the deadline to catch up with you.Your competitors are already preparing. Future-proof your manufacturing today.