EPR — extended producer responsibility
Who pays for a product at end of life, and why textiles are next
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is the principle that whoever places a product on the market also carries the financial or organisational responsibility for its end of life — collection, sorting, recycling. In practice it means a fee to a producer responsibility organisation, calculated from the quantity and type of material you placed on the market.
EPR is older than the Digital Product Passport, but the two now meet: passport data is exactly what a modulated fee is calculated from.
In short
Textiles — by April 2028
The revised Waste Framework Directive requires Member States to set up EPR schemes for textiles. That deadline binds the states; what you actually owe depends on the national scheme.
Packaging — from August 2026
Packaging EPR under the Packaging Regulation applies earlier. Textile producers frequently fall into both schemes at once — one for the product, one for its packaging.
The fee is modulated
Fees are not flat. They are modulated by how easily the product is recycled, how much recycled content it carries and how long it lasts — that is, by data the passport already holds.
EU level and national level
The principle and the deadlines are settled at EU level. Rates, scope and administration are set nationally and differ between Member States.
EPR — extended producer responsibility
Frequently asked questions
No. Packaging EPR covers the packaging. Textile EPR covers the product itself. They are separate obligations with separate fees.
The passport holds composition, recycled content share and end-of-life instructions. That is the evidence base for a modulated fee, instead of it being estimated from coarse averages.
Related solutions
Solutions
DPP for Manufacturers
Manufacturers create and maintain DPP, prove compliance and sustainability, earn trust and improve their processes.
DPP for Importers
Importers ensure a valid DPP for every product and provide EU market access without risk of sanctions and delays.
DPP for Retailers and Service Centres
DPP simplifies warranties, repairs and product tracking. Retailers and service centres receive accurate information for higher quality service.
