The next seminar in the series will take place on November 18, with the theme “Risk Assessment – Identify and Prevent!” Interested in joining? Don’t miss the chance to read more and register here.
The next seminar in the series will take place on November 18, with the theme “Risk Assessment – Identify and Prevent!” Interested in joining? Don’t miss the chance to read more and register here.
For many companies in the textile and fashion industry, sustainability has gone from being a “nice to have” to a business essential. Customers, suppliers, and not least the EU now demand transparency, accountability, and documentation. But don’t worry, sustainability isn’t just about rules and reports. It’s also about opportunities, innovation, and smart thinking for the future.
Working sustainably is no longer optional. The EU Green Deal has set the course for climate neutrality by 2050, and the textile industry is one of the key sectors in this transition, right after construction and food. That means the EU aims to make sustainable products the norm by 2050.
And considering how slowly sustainable development has progressed so far, that’s not a long time. My son will, if all goes according to the EU’s plan, be buying mostly sustainable products for at least two thirds of his lifetime, assuming he lives the expected 82 years (*for men in Sweden, according to Statistics Sweden, March 2025).
But it’s not just what we sell that matters, it’s how it’s produced and documented. New regulations and directives such as ESPR, DPP, GPSR, and CSRD will affect the entire value chain, from design and production to sales and recycling.
ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation)
The goal is to adapt products for climate neutrality, resource efficiency, and a circular economy. In short: less waste and more durable products. Work on the textile specific elements has been delayed, but requirements are currently expected to take effect around 2028–2029, alongside the introduction of digital product passports.
DPP (Digital Product Passport)
The digital product passport will function like an “ID card” for every garment, providing information relevant to everyone, from consumers to retailers and recyclers. The idea is simple: the more we know about a product, the better decisions we can make.
CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)
Requires companies to report their sustainability work in a comparable and transparent way. It will affect both large and small businesses, directly or indirectly.
All these new acronyms and directives may feel overwhelming, but the truth is that sustainability also brings real business benefits. By designing smarter, using materials more efficiently, and integrating sustainability into the business strategy, companies can reduce costs, strengthen their brand position, and discover new business models.
Think circular, digital, and service based, where the garment isn’t just a product, but part of a continuous flow. Perhaps you rent out, repair, or upgrade your products instead of simply selling them?
Consumers are, partly, already there. They want to know how, where, and why something is made. Even though the EU has temporarily paused the so called “green claims” regulation (on environmental claims in marketing), transparency remains key to gaining and keeping consumer trust.
No one can do everything at once, but everyone can start somewhere. Here are three steps that make a real difference:
1. Review your material choices and design.
Small design changes can have a big impact. Consider whether you can reduce waste, choose better fibers, or create longer lasting garments. Review your production and discuss with suppliers whether there are more environmentally friendly alternatives to the materials, production processes, or dyeing methods you use today.
2. Collect data and start documenting.
Take stock of the information you already have about your products, and what additional data you can get from suppliers. Invest in technology and systems that make it possible to track materials, production, and circular flows and voilà, you’ve prepared for the digital product passport.
3. Review your technology and software.
You can save time, money, and resources by investing in, for example, 3D design and construction tools. Virtual fitting rooms can help customers make better purchasing decisions and reduce returns. There’s still room to be a pioneer on the Swedish and Nordic markets here.
And if you want to start on an even smaller scale – keep these three sustainability principles in mind:
Choose the best supplier and make it part of your strategy.
Learn what different certifications actually mean.
View the garments you buy and produce as investments, not consumables.
Transitioning isn’t only about compliance, it’s about finding new ways to create value. Sustainable trends and color analyses can inspire collections that are both beautiful and responsible. And when you build sustainability into the design process from the start, it becomes a natural part of your business, not an afterthought.
We are facing one of the biggest transformations in the history of the textile industry, and change can be scary. But what doesn’t evolve, stagnates and disappears. So, see this as a chance to create something better for the environment, your customers, and your business.
Start where you are. Collect data, set requirements, experiment. Because sustainability doesn’t happen in theory, it happens in practice.