Insights and Updates on the EU Textile Labelling Regulation
This is a guest article, written by the Trimco Group Sustainability and Compliance Director, Camilla Mjelde. The article has been updated in December 2025.
Looking ahead in 2026: Updates on the Textile Labelling Regulation (TLR)
At Trimco Group, we remain committed to keeping you informed about the latest developments in the EU’s journey toward sustainable and circular textiles. While the revision of the Textile Labelling Regulation was initially anticipated for Q4 2023, progress has been delayed, and we now look ahead to 2026 for the promised updates.
The European Commission’s ambitious vision for the textile industry, outlined in the 2022 EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, remains a cornerstone of the Circular Economy Action Plan.
By 2030, the goal is clear: textiles on the EU market should be durable, recyclable, and largely made from recycled fibers, all while minimizing environmental impact and respecting social rights. Fast fashion is set to become a thing of the past, with re-use and repair services taking center stage. Is this possible?
The revision of the Textile Labelling Regulation is a critical piece of this puzzle, aiming to introduce both physical and digital labelling that highlights sustainability and circularity parameters. Over the past two years, the European Commission has engaged stakeholders through consultations and workshops to shape the future of textile labelling. These efforts are now feeding into a comprehensive evaluation and impact assessment, with a proposed revision expected by Q2 2026. (Source: the European Parlament).
While we wait for these updates, Trimco Group continues to support the industry’s transition toward requirements and actions that can be taken now supporting sustainability goals. We are closely monitoring the legislative process and will share insights as they become available and we have analized them.
Stay tuned!
Previouse updates:
As the Director of Sustainability and Compliance at Trimco Group, I recently had the opportunity to participate in a crucial workshop alongside Marjan Poel, our global textile regulations expert. The focus of our discussion was the much-anticipated revision of the Textile Labelling Regulation (EU) 1007/2011, a change that is not only overdue but essential for aligning the textile industry with the EU Green Deal and modern fiber definitions.
The Debate: Physical Labels vs. Digital Labels
The current regulations have left many brands grappling with compliance issues due to ambiguous fiber definitions. Marjan Poel noted the regulations are lagging, creating confusion within the industry. This revision promises to offer clarity and much-needed updates.
A key topic of debate at the workshop was the "fight" between physical and digital labels. On the one hand, brands are advocating for a reduction in physical labels, which are often cumbersome, costly, and frequently removed by consumers for comfort or aesthetic reasons. Instead, they propose transferring extended information to digital labels, retaining only essential details on physical labels in multiple languages.
On the other hand, consumer protection organizations emphasized the necessity of physical labels, particularly for an aging European population. They highlighted the importance of having quick access to key information, especially when purchasing or washing garments. I can sympathize with this perspective, understanding that older consumers across Scandinavia, Poland, Italy, and France may not be inclined to rely on digital means, especially if labels are in English only.
Exploring Policy Options for Future Regulation
During the workshop, participants were invited to vote on various aspects of the proposed changes. We reached a consensus on the issues with the current Textile Labelling Regulation and agreed on the key concepts that need revision. After extensive discussions, three policy options were presented for consideration:
- Policy Option 1: Clarifying and updating the regulation through non-legislative action. This would involve detailed updates to the FAQ without altering the EU1007/2011 itself.
- Policy Option 2: A legislative revision allowing for voluntary inclusion of digital labels for products not requiring a Digital Product Passport (DPP).
- Policy Option 3: A legislative revision mandating digital labels for all products within the scope, requiring a "textile label digital passport" for items not covered by the DPP or ESPR.
The workshop concluded without a definitive decision, and we are currently in the process of completing questionnaires due October 31st, 2024. By the first quarter of 2025, we expect to learn which policy option will be implemented. This will then require adoption by the commissions in Q2 2025, followed by an 18-month period before enforcement.
Trimco Group's Digital Journey: Preparing for the Future
In anticipation of these changes, Trimco Group recommends embarking on a digital journey. Our current productDNA® solution already supports this transition, providing digital twins for all Care & Content labels by default.
As we await further developments, Trimco Group remains committed to keeping you informed and prepared for the future of textile labeling.