Last Wednesday, 2 September stakeholders representing six leading industry associations – including FESI – and interest organisations and three companies working within the apparel and footwear sector came together to virtually discuss extended producer responsibility, or what is commonly known in EU policy circles, as EPR.
The workshop highlighted participants’ priorities including the requirement for transparency and the prioritisation of re-use. There was also overall agreement on the importance of harmonisation and innovation in sorting and recycling technologies. Further discussion is needed to clarify namely the criteria for the eco-modulation of fees and how chemicals can be accounted for in the system.
The Policy Hub seeks to foster cross-stakeholder collaboration to promote a unified European policy framework that accelerates the transition to a circular system. A follow-up workshop is currently being considered ahead of the European Commission’s guidelines on EPR expected for this Autumn.
ABOUT THE POLICY HUB
Launched in May 2019 by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry, Global Fashion Agenda and their members, The Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel and Footwear aims to unite the textiles industry and its stakeholders in developing and promoting a unified European policy framework that accelerates the transition to a circular system for the apparel and footwear industry. Between them, the three organisations represent more than 300 brands, retailers, manufacturers and other stakeholders.
