European Manifesto on Circular Fashion: Key Takeaways

The Fédération de la Mode Circulaire has launched a European manifesto on Circular Fashion, aiming to strengthen sustainability through cross-industry collaboration. The initiative focuses on designing, producing, and consuming fashion in a way that aligns with Europe's future sustainability goals. The EU has the potential to set international standards for circular fashion, ensuring resilient supply chains and fostering collaboration across industries. The manifesto also highlights the importance of engaging civil society and stakeholders in this transition.

Panel Discussion: Challenges & Opportunities in Circular Fashion

During the panel discussion, stakeholders emphasized the need for common definitions in sustainable fashion and stronger education on circular practices. The economy of waste must be addressed with clear frameworks, such as the Green Claims Directive, Single-Use Plastic Directive, and Eco-Design Product Regulation (ESPR), ensuring producers take full responsibility for textile lifecycles. Strict waste regulations are already in place, limiting textile disposal outside the EU.

Key regulatory discussions included:

• The Circular Textile Framework, which combines legislative and non-legislative actions to support circular fashion.

• The Green Claims Directive and Single-Use Plastic Directive, fostering demand for sustainable products.

• The Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), requiring producers to take full responsibility for their products’ lifecycle and contribute based on circularity criteria.

• The Ship-Waste Regulation (in effect since May 2024), enforcing strict rules on textile waste disposal outside the EU.

• The broader EU Green Deal, despite political challenges, is creating an ecosystem to support these legislative measures.

How Circularity Affects the Fashion Industry 

Industry leaders acknowledged a shift in attitudes. Three years ago, discussing circularity was difficult, but today, companies are actively seeking solutions. The top 1,000 corporations in fashion are now engaging with innovative startups and forming sustainability management teams to address pre- and post-consumer processes like material treatments, repairs, and recycling. The consensus is that circularity is not only good for the environment but also a profitable business opportunity—resale, repair, and rental markets are growing, while consumers increasingly value emotional durability over disposable fashion trends.

Panel 2: From Vision to Action

The second panel focused on turning vision into action. EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and ESPR are seen as crucial for a circular economy, pushing businesses to integrate recycling from the design phase. Technology investment and industrial sorting remain challenges, as automation in textile sorting is costly and inefficient, requiring human oversight.

Key recommendations include financial support for innovators, harmonization of EPR schemes, stronger consumer awareness, and integrating digitalization in sustainable fashion. The transition is underway, but companies, policymakers, and consumers must all push forward for real impact.