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Extended Producer Responsibility for textiles

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles has been in force in the Netherlands since 1 July 2023. It covers consumer clothing, workwear and household textiles such as table, bed and household linen. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) oversees compliance with EPR rules in the Netherlands

Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR is referred to as uitgebreide producentenverantwoordelijkheid, UPV in the Netherlands.

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EPR for textiles

The aim of EPR for textiles is to help increase reuse and improve recycling, especially high-quality recycling. Implementing EPR for textiles means that producers of clothing and household textiles are responsible for the recycling and preparing for reuse of the textile products which they place on the market in the Netherlands.

Producers subject to EPR for textiles in the Netherlands

A producer is a party that places textile products on the market in a professional manner, regardless of the sales technique used. This includes clothing and household textiles that are offered on the market in the Netherlands for the first time, either for sale or free of charge. Importers and producers based outside the Netherlands who sell products remotely, for example through online shops, are also included. Producers established outside the Netherlands must appoint an authorised representative based in the Netherlands to fulfil their EPR obligations on their behalf.

Products subject to EPR for textiles in the Netherlands

The classification of products subject to EPR is based on European Union (EU) regulation CN codes.

Examples of products subject to EPR for textiles

  • Consumer clothing and workwear (CN codes 61 and 62)
  • Bed linen, table linen and household linen such as towels (CN code 6302)

Examples of products not subject to EPR for textiles

  • Shoes, bags and leather belts
  • Headgear, blankets, curtains and tents
  • Stock that has not been placed on the market

A complete overview of the products subject to EPR for textiles can be found in the explanatory notes for the Decree on rules extended producer responsibility for textile products.

Registration

If you are a producer, manufacturer or importer that is subject to EPR in the Netherlands, you must register with Rijkswaterstaat. During registration, you must provide information about which and how many textile products your company is placing on the market in the Netherlands. You must also provide a description of the collection system for the textile products and an overview of the financial and organisational resources needed to meet the EPR obligations.

A producer can also join a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) which will take responsibility for registration and EPR obligations.
In the Netherlands, the 3 PROs are: 

If a producer chooses to comply individually and is not established in the Netherlands, a legal entity or natural person established in the Netherlands must be appointed as the authorised representative for the implementation of EPR.

Collection, preparation for reuse and recycling

Producers must have an appropriate collection system in place for the textile products. The collection system must be available throughout the year must and extend beyond the most cost-efficient waste collection and management areas. Anyone wishing to dispose of the textile products must be able to do so by handing them in to the collection system, free of charge. Finally, producers must provide information and communicate about waste prevention measures, collection systems, facilities for reuse or recovery and the prevention of litter.

Targets

In order to stimulate the circular economy, legal targets have been set for the preparation for reuse and recycling of textiles from 2025 onwards.

From 2025

  • At least 50% of the weight of textiles placed on the market in the Netherlands is prepared for reuse or recycling.
  • At least 20% of the weight of textiles placed on the market in the Netherlands is prepared for reuse.
  • At least 10% of the weight of the textiles placed on the market in the Netherlands is prepared for reuse in the Netherlands.
  • Of the recycled share, 25% is recycled fibre-to-fibre.

From 2030

  • After 2025, these standards will be gradually increased until 2030. In 2030, the following objectives apply:
  • At least 75% of the weight of textiles placed on the market the previous year is prepared for reuse or recycling.
  • At least 25% of the weight of textiles placed on the market is prepared for reuse.
  • At least 15% of the weight of the textiles placed on the market is prepared for reuse in the Netherlands.
  • Of the recycled share, 33% is recycled fibre-to-fibre.

In addition, there is a commitment to use recycled fibres in new textile products as much as possible.

Preparing for reuse involves checking, cleaning or repairing textile products, whereby (parts of) the textile products can be reused immediately. Recycling is the process of treating waste in such a way that it can be used again to make products, materials or substances. Find out more about the rules for reusing and recycling textiles.

Reporting

By 1 August each year, a report is to be submitted to Rijkswaterstaat for the previous calendar year. In this report, a producer reports on the quantity of textile products placed on the market in the Netherlands as well as compliance with the obligations for the preceding calendar year. This includes compliance with obligations, the collection system used and the information provided to waste holders. In 2026 producers have to report on the results of 2025.

By way of derogation, in the reports on the years 2023 and 2024 only the quantities of textile products placed on the market need to be stated. If a producer is affiliated with a PRO, the PRO is responsible for the reporting.