In this era of heightened environmental awareness and climate legislation, apparel and footwear brands are increasingly under the microscope when it comes to their climate and sustainability practices. To address this, nations and regions are introducing a web of intricate textile labeling laws, each with its own set of standards and regulations.
In our previous blogs, we explored sustainability regulations relevant to the fashion industry in the United States and the European Union. In this overview, we’ll delve into the top apparel labeling regulations impacting fashion and textile brands around the world:
- Main EU regulatory pillars: Textile Labelling Regulation, ESPR (with DPP), UCPD, French Eco-Score.
- UK’s standardized fiber composition disclosures and emerging digital labeling.
- North America’s patchwork of federal gaps and state-level apparel labeling requirements.
- Voluntary ecolabels in Asia and circularity efforts in Australia/New Zealand.
There’s a lot here, so if you have any questions about staying compliant with sustainable textiles labeling globally, please reach out to our team.
Textile Labeling in European Union
Currently, in the EU, there are four main pieces of legislation that will impact textile labeling: the EU Textile Labeling Regulation, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the Directive on Green Claims, and the French Climate and Resilience Law. The EU has also finalized a framework for helping companies track their environmental footprint, the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF).
Click here for a quick primer on how EU legislation works.
EU Eco-Label
The EU Ecolabel, established in 1992, is a voluntary environmental label for products and services that meet specific criteria to reduce overall environmental impact. Products displaying the "EU flower" symbol comply with these criteria, which are based on a comprehensive life-cycle assessment.
Governed by Regulation (EC) NO 66/2010, the EU Ecolabel aligns with the ISO definition for a Type 1 Ecolabel. This means an independent third party awards it. The criteria are developed through collaboration between the European Commission, Member States, industry, consumer organizations, and environmental NGOs.
EU Textile Labeling Regulation
The current Textile Labeling Regulation requires disclosure of fiber composition and non-textile parts of animal origin. However, it also does not keep pace with the development of new fabrics and recycling technologies. The EU Commission plans to revise the current Textile Labeling Regulation to:
- Include additional product information (e.g., origin, care instructions, sustainability-related parameters).
- Define what should be on physical labels and what on DPP.
- Reflect new fibers, recycled materials, and recycling technologies.
All EU and non-EU textile brands selling textile products in the EU must comply with the Textile Labeling Regulation. Footwear, however, is excluded, as it is regulated separately under EU footwear labeling rules.
Here is the expected timeline for the revision:
- Since 2011: Current Textile Labeling Regulation in force.
- Q2 2026 (expected): European Commission proposal for the revised regulation.
- Late 2027/2028 (expected): New labeling requirements start to apply.
EU’s Product Environmental Footprint Methodology
The new PEF Category Rules (PEFCR) present a single, science-based method for product footprints, streamline compliance with the upcoming EU Green Claims Directive and Ecodesign Rules, and set a common language amongst brands, suppliers, and auditors.
After five years of work, the PEFCR for the fashion sector is now considered final, with “no further modifications” needed, has been approved by the Technical Secretariat and green-lighted by the European Commission.
Find everything you need to know about PEFCR for fashion here.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) & Digital Product Passport (DPP)
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) introduces product-specific performance requirements across the EU, such as durability, recyclability, or recycled content, for products placed on the European market.
In parallel, the ESPR introduces information requirements to ensure standardized product data is made available. A central element of this is the Digital Product Passport (DPP), one of the most visible indicators of a product’s environmental performance via a QR code or similar data carrier.
While final requirements are still being defined, EU studies indicate early DPPs will focus on material composition, manufacturing processes, core environmental indicators, chemical compliance, traceability, and durability.
ESPR only contains high-level information regarding the DPP; there is no textile industry-specific information just yet. These technical details – including a concrete timeline and data requirements – are currently being worked on and will become law in the form of delegated acts.
Final delegated act for the DPP for textiles/apparel is expected to be shared in 2027; fashion brands will then have at least 18 months to implement it (exact timing to be determined in the act itself).
Read our DPP deep dive for textile, apparel, and footwear brands here.
Green Claims Directive
With the European Commission now expected to withdraw the proposed Green Claims Directive – a regulation that would have required companies to substantiate eco-labels and claims using the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method – the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) remains the central enforcement tool against greenwashing in the EU.
Read about the updates to the Green Claims Directive for fashion here.
Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) and Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive
The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD), established in 2005 for consumer protection, is the EU’s main legal framework for business-to-consumer marketing. It sets the basic rules for how claims about environmental performance, pricing, promotions, and product features can be communicated to consumers.
Notably, the UCPD has already been enforced against major fashion retailers like H&M and Decathlon for sharing misleading environmental claims without context or clarity.
In 2024, UCPD was updated through the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGT). This update bans specific green claims, including sustainability labels that are not backed by an approved certification scheme.
EU Member States must transpose the ECGT into national law by March 2026, with the updated rules applying from September 2026. From that point on, authorities will be able to issue fines and require corrective actions if the rules are not followed.
Learn all about the new USCPD rules in our blog here.
French Eco-Score: Textile Labeling Requirements
The French Eco-Score, now officially renamed “Environmental Cost” (French: Coût Environnemental), is an environmental labeling system for textile and apparel products under France’s Climate and Resilience Law. It is a methodology for assessing and communicating the environmental impacts of textile products, building on life cycle assessment and evaluations of 16 environmental indicators such as carbon emissions, water consumption, and biodiversity impact.
The environmental labeling requirements apply to all producers, importers, and distributors who place textile products on the French market. This also means that non-French companies are included if they market products in France.
Eco-Score took effect in October, 2025. Here are the timeline details important for apparel and footwear brands:
- 1st October 2025: Entry into force. Only brands may voluntarily calculate and submit their product Eco‑Scores to the public portal.
- From October 2026: If the fashion brand has not yet published a score themselves, any third party, e.g., retailers, NGOs, will be able to publish the Environmental Cost on behalf of textile brands – without needing the brand’s prior approval. Scores calculated by brands themselves will automatically replace third-party scores, with a maximum delay of one month.
- From October 2026, as well, if the brand communicates any other environmental score (such as carbon footprint on the e-commerce store), then displaying the Environmental Cost label becomes mandatory.
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Read our fashion & textiles French Textile Eco-score deep-dive here.
As you can see, even within just the European Union, there is already a myriad of reporting and labeling requirements that demand insight into the entire lifecycle of a product. Learn more about how Carbonfact can help your brand here.
United Kingdom: Legal Requirements for Labelling Textile Products
In 2012, the UK adopted the Textile Products (Labelling and Fiber Composition) Regulations. It standardises how fibers are named and how the composition of textile goods must be disclosed to ensure transparency and enable consumers to compare products fairly.
North America: Sustainable Textile Labeling in the USA, Canada, and Mexico
Textile labelling regulations in the USA, Canada, and Mexico are largely focused on fiber composition, size, and country of origin. Environmental and social impact labeling is still evolving.
In the United States, customers still see plenty of “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” hang-tags, yet there is no single federal rule that verifies those claims, while the Federal Trade Commission continues to revise its Green Guides (guidelines for environmental marketing claims).
Because there is so much confusion for consumers, companies with clear insight into their carbon footprint can leverage this information to their advantage.
To fill this federal gap, a patchwork of state-level laws is beginning to tackle labeling. Here are a few examples:
California
- SB 343 (2021), the “Truth in Recycling” law, restricts the use of the chasing-arrows symbol and other recyclability claims on packaging unless the material type and form meet criteria established by CalRecycle, demonstrating that they are recycled at scale in California. These restrictions apply to products and packaging manufactured on or after October 2026.
- AB 1305 (2023), the Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures Act, has been in effect since January 1, 2024. It requires companies that sell carbon offsets or make carbon-neutral or net-zero claims in California to publicly disclose detailed information about the carbon offset projects they rely on. This includes project type, registry, protocol, and documentation explaining how the claims are substantiated.
Washington
- The 2022 Plastic Product Degradability Law (fully effective since January 2024) bans the terms “biodegradable,” “oxo-degradable,” or similar on plastic items unless they meet compostability standards.
Brands should monitor state-level laws and prepare to align them with eventual federal guidance.
In Canada, environmental claims that raise issues under the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act, and the Textile Labeling Act are investigated by the Competition Bureau. In 2025, it published the final Environmental-Claims Guideline, implementing new “greenwashing” provisions. Any sustainability claim (including carbon-footprint labels) now needs proper substantiation or risk penalties.
Asia: Sustainable Textiles Labelling & Voluntary Ecolabels
While Environmental labels are not currently mandatory in most Asian countries, there are over 40 voluntary “ecolabels” available.
In addition to country-specific labels like Japan's Eco Mark and South Korea’s Green Certification, international programs such as Certified Wildlife Friendly®, Fairtrade, and Global Green Tag are in use. These labels typically require adherence to rigorous environmental criteria, including responsible material sourcing, energy-efficient production methods, and reduced chemical usage.
Australia & New Zealand: Moving Toward Sustainability and Circularity
As the world’s second-largest consumer of textiles (behind the USA), Australia is working toward ending fast-fashion and improving circularity in the industry. There are currently no environmental labeling requirements; however, the Australian Fashion Council recently launched a national stewardship scheme called Seamless. The program aims to achieve circularity by 2030 and reduce 200,000 tons of clothing waste per year. As their efforts evolve, we’ll report on how fashion brands can implement carbon management tools to stay compliant in Australia.
In addition to the above, both Australia and New Zealand have voluntary ecolabeling programs such as Australia Made, Australia Grown, and Environmental Choice New Zealand.
How Carbonfact Can Help Brands Navigate Sustainable Textiles Labeling Laws
Complying with both mandatory and voluntary environmental labels in a global marketplace is complex. Brands need accurate, up-to-date insights into the complete lifecycle of their product lines. Carbonfact is the only fashion-specific environmental tool that enables brands to actively measure and reduce their environmental footprint.
Get in touch with our team of climate scientists to learn how we can support your business in this evolving landscape.
Lidia Lüttin
