EU News: Adoption of the revised Waste Framework Directive

Binding targets for food waste reduction

Food waste accounts for nearly 60 million tons annually in the EU. 

The revised WFD introduces binding national-level targets to reduce this figure by 2030:

• 10% reduction in food processing and manufacturing.

• 30% per capita reduction at retail and consumption levels (including restaurants, food services, and households).

To support this, Member States must review and adapt their food waste prevention programs.

Mandatory EPR schemes for textiles

Each European generates 12kg of clothing and footwear waste per year.

For the first time, the Directive introduces mandatory and harmonized Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles, textile-related products, and footwear across all EU Member States. EPR's approach makes producers financially and operationally responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products: including post-consumer waste. This means producers must cover the costs of collection, sorting and recycling, and ensure their products are managed in line with the waste hierarchy (disposal as last resource) and incentivized to meet higher environmental standards (via the introduction of eco-modulated fees).

Key features include:

• Eco-modulated fees: Producers will pay more or less depending on the environmental performance of their products: rewarding durability, repairability, and recyclability, and penalizing wasteful design.

• Scope: Includes clothing, accessories, footwear, blankets, bed/kitchen linen, curtains, and hats. Mattresses may be included at Member States’ discretion.

• Micro-enterprises: Granted an additional 12 months to comply.

• E-commerce and non-EU producers: Also covered under the EPR obligations.

Addressing ultra-fast fashion

A particularly forward-looking provision requires Member States to address ultra-fast fashion and fast fashion practices when setting financial contributions under EPR schemes.

This means:

• Producers with high-turnover, low-durability models may face higher fees.

• Criteria will likely include product lifespan, material composition, recyclability, and production volume.

• The European Commission will adopt Implementing Acts to define these criteria, aligned with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

   

This is a clear signal that circular design is no longer optional but is becoming essential!

How to prepare?

For companies looking to get ahead of the curve, voluntary frameworks like Cradle to Cradle Certified® offer a practical, third-party verified path to circular product design.

By integrating circular principles, businesses can:

• Align with upcoming EU regulations 

• Be rewarded via EPR financial incentives

• Build consumer trust through transparency.