The main focus of the amendments to the Waste Framework Directive lies in the textile sector and in reducing food waste – two areas with significant environmental impact.
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It is estimated that around one third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted at some point along the agri-food chain (FAO). In the EU specifically, more than 59 million tonnes of food are wasted every year, around 132 kg per person. Poor management of food also accounts for 16% of total greenhouse gas emissions from the EU food system.
On the other hand, in 2020, the textile sector was the third-largest in terms of water and land consumption, and the fifth in the use of raw materials and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste were generated in 2019, of which only one fifth was separately collected for reuse or recycling.
Driven by this context, the European Commission presented, in July 2023, a proposal to amend the Waste Framework Directive, focusing on textile and food waste.
Thus, on 16 October 2025, the revision of the EU Waste Framework Directive entered into force, introducing common rules for extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the textile sector and establishing binding food waste reduction targets for Member States.
The aim is to reduce waste, protect the environment and strengthen the European economy by reducing dependence on raw materials, in line with the EU’s Strategic Agenda and the Competitiveness Compass 2024–2029. This revision also reinforces the EU’s contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, aligned with the Circular Economy Action Plan.
The revised directive introduces two major sets of measures to address the environmental impact issues associated with textile waste:
All Member States must implement their own EPR system for textiles and footwear, following common EU-wide rules.
In practice, producers will have to pay a fee for each product they place on the market. This money will finance the collection, sorting and management of used textiles, promoting reuse, preparation for reuse, recycling or proper disposal.
EPR fees will be adjusted according to sustainability criteria, such as durability or recyclability, as defined in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This is where the concept of eco-modulation emerges, designed to reward companies that design more circular and environmentally friendly products.
In addition, these funds will be used to inform consumers about the sustainability of textile products and to finance research and development to improve design, waste prevention and efficiency in waste management operations.
As an exception, social economy entities dedicated to the collection and management of second-hand clothing will not have to comply with EPR obligations. They may maintain their own collection systems and benefit from free management of textile waste by producer responsibility organisations.
From now on, all textiles separately collected will be considered waste, ensuring a uniform interpretation across the EU of what constitutes “waste” versus “used textiles”.
Member States will be required to sort textiles before shipment to prevent the export of residual material wrongly labelled as reusable. If not sorted, such waste will be subject to the Waste Shipment Regulation.
The revision also establishes, for the first time, mandatory food waste reduction targets, to reduce the environmental, social and economic impacts of this issue throughout the EU.
Member States must meet the following targets by 2030:
To achieve this, countries will need to update their prevention programmes, encourage behavioural change, promote technological innovation and enhance cooperation among actors in the food supply chain.
The regulation also strengthens food donation, requiring companies to put forward agreements with food banks and other redistribution organisations.
The European Commission will carry out a full review in 2027 to assess progress and study the causes of food waste, especially at primary production level. This assessment may adjust the 2030 targets and propose new targets for 2035.
Member States now have:
At the same time, they must designate the competent authorities to coordinate food waste prevention measures before 17 January 2026, and adapt their national programmes to the new requirements before 17 October 2027.
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