UPDATE! Insights and Updates from the EU Textile Labelling Regulation Workshop

This is a guest article, written by the Trimco Group Sustainability and Compliance Director, Camilla Mjelde.  

As the Director of Sustainability and Compliance at Trimco Group, I recently had the opportunity to participate in a crucial workshop alongside Marjan Poel, our global textile regulations expert. The focus of our discussion was the much-anticipated revision of the Textile Labelling Regulation (EU) 1007/2011, a change that is not only overdue but essential for aligning the textile industry with the EU Green Deal and modern fiber definitions.

The Debate: Physical Labels vs. Digital Labels

The current regulations have left many brands grappling with compliance issues due to ambiguous fiber definitions. Marjan Poel noted the regulations are lagging, creating confusion within the industry. This revision promises to offer clarity and much-needed updates.

A key topic of debate at the workshop was the "fight" between physical and digital labels. On the one hand, brands are advocating for a reduction in physical labels, which are often cumbersome, costly, and frequently removed by consumers for comfort or aesthetic reasons. Instead, they propose transferring extended information to digital labels, retaining only essential details on physical labels in multiple languages.

On the other hand, consumer protection organizations emphasized the necessity of physical labels, particularly for an aging European population. They highlighted the importance of having quick access to key information, especially when purchasing or washing garments. I can sympathize with this perspective, understanding that older consumers across Scandinavia, Poland, Italy, and France may not be inclined to rely on digital means, especially if labels are in English only.

Exploring Policy Options for Future Regulation

During the workshop, participants were invited to vote on various aspects of the proposed changes. We reached a consensus on the issues with the current Textile Labelling Regulation and agreed on the key concepts that need revision. After extensive discussions, three policy options were presented for consideration:

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• Policy Option 1: Clarifying and updating the regulation through non-legislative action. This would involve detailed updates to the FAQ without altering the EU1007/2011 itself.
• Policy Option 2: A legislative revision allowing for voluntary inclusion of digital labels for products not requiring a Digital Product Passport (DPP).
• Policy Option 3: A legislative revision mandating digital labels for all products within the scope, requiring a "textile label digital passport" for items not covered by the DPP or ESPR.

The workshop concluded without a definitive decision, and we are currently in the process of completing questionnaires due October 31st, 2024. By the first quarter of 2025, we expect to learn which policy option will be implemented. This will then require adoption by the commissions in Q2 2025, followed by an 18-month period before enforcement.

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Trimco Group's Digital Journey: Preparing for the Future

In anticipation of these changes, Trimco Group recommends embarking on a digital journey. Our current productDNA® solution already supports this transition, providing digital twins for all Care & Content labels by default.

As we await further developments, Trimco Group remains committed to keeping you informed and prepared for the future of textile labeling.

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