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ESPR & DPP Regulatory Timeline for Fashion

Every key milestone in the EU's ESPR and Digital Product Passport regulatory process — from the regulation entering into force through full compliance deadlines for clothing brands.

Updated 2026/03/20

  1. July 2024

    ESPR enters into force

    EU Regulation 2024/1781 (ESPR) officially entered into force, establishing the legal framework for Digital Product Passports and replacing the old Ecodesign Directive. Textiles designated as a priority product category.

  2. Q4 2024

    ESPR Working Plan published

    The European Commission published the initial ESPR Working Plan identifying priority product categories and the sequencing for delegated acts. Textiles confirmed as an early priority alongside electronics and furniture.

  3. H1 2025

    Stakeholder consultation on textiles delegated act

    The Commission opened stakeholder consultations on the textiles and apparel delegated act, gathering input from brands, retailers, manufacturers, and sustainability organisations on required DPP fields and minimum standards.

  4. H2 2025

    Draft textiles delegated act published

    The Commission published a draft delegated act for public consultation, including proposed DPP data fields, minimum ecodesign requirements (durability, recycled content), and indicative compliance timelines.

  5. Q1–Q2 2026

    Delegated act finalisation

    Expected finalisation of the textiles delegated act following consultation feedback and impact assessment. This document will set the binding DPP fields, format requirements, and compliance deadlines. Brands should be preparing data infrastructure during this period.

  6. Q3 2026

    Delegated act adopted

    Expected formal adoption of the textiles delegated act. Once adopted, the countdown to compliance begins. Large brands will have approximately 12 months to comply; SMEs will have 24–30 months.

  7. 2027

    Large brand DPP compliance deadline

    Expected compliance deadline for large clothing brands (250+ employees or €50M+ turnover). From this date, EU-sold garments must have DPP records accessible via QR code, meeting all required fields in the delegated act.

  8. 2028

    SME DPP compliance deadline

    Expected compliance deadline for small and medium enterprises (under 250 employees). SMEs typically receive an 18–24 month grace period after large brand deadlines. Exact definition of SME threshold and exemption scope will be confirmed in the delegated act.

  9. 2028–2030

    Minimum ecodesign standards phased in

    Beyond DPP data requirements, minimum performance standards for garment durability, recycled content, and recyclability are expected to be phased in progressively, with more demanding standards at later dates as supply chains adapt.

  10. 2030

    Anti-waste provisions enforcement

    Provisions prohibiting destruction of unsold textiles are expected to apply to all producers by 2030, with large companies subject earlier. Brands will need audit trails for how unsold inventory is handled.