EU Circular Economy Act Public Consultation: New Rules for Textile Carbon Footprint Disclosure and Recyclability
Recently, the European Commission has conducted public consultation on the Circular Economy Act, focusing on the new regulations on carbon footprint disclosure and recycling in the textile industry. This move aims to promote sustainable consumption and reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry. The following are related topics and structured data analysis that have been hotly discussed across the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Hot background and policy objectives
The Circular Economy Action Plan is a core component of the European Green Agreement, aiming to promote efficient use of resources and waste reduction through legislation. This public consultation focuses on the textile field, requiring companies to disclose the product's full life cycle carbon footprint and meet recyclability design standards. The new regulations are expected to be implemented in 2026 and cover all textile manufacturers and importers in the EU.
| Policy Area | Specific requirements | Implementation timetable |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Footprint Disclosure | Forced disclosure of carbon emission data in raw materials, production and transportation links | Phase 1 of 2026 |
| Recyclability design | No use of inseparable composite materials (such as polyester-cotton blend) | Fully take effect in 2027 |
| Extended producer responsibility | Enterprises need to bear the cost of recycling and disposal of waste textiles | Phase implementation in 2028 |
2. Industry response and controversy focus
According to public opinion data collection, 62% of environmental protection organizations in the EU support the new regulations, but the textile industry association raised several questions:
| Supporters' opinions | Opposing views | Comparison of disputed data |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce textile landfill by 5 million tons per year | It is expected to increase production costs by 15-20% | Environmental benefits vs economic cost ratio 3:2 |
| Promote innovation in recycled materials technology | It is difficult to comply with small and medium-sized enterprises | 78% of small and medium-sized enterprises need technology upgrades |
3. Global supply chain impact assessment
The new regulations will significantly change the global textile trade pattern. Major exporting countries such as China and Bangladesh are facing pressure to restructure supply chains:
| Exporting country | EU market share | Current status of carbon footprint | Estimated cost of compliance renovation |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 32% | Average 8.2kg CO2/piece | €1.2-1.5 billion |
| Bangladesh | 18% | Average 9.5kg CO2/piece | €500 million-700 million |
| Türkiye | 12% | Average 7.1kg CO2/piece | €300 million to 400 million |
4. Technological innovation and market opportunities
The bill also creates new business opportunities, and investment in related fields of the global capital market has increased significantly in the past 10 days:
| Technical field | The increase in the number of startups | Investment and financing amount (2024Q2) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Textile Recycling | +47% | €230 million |
| Blockchain traceability system | +35% | €180 million |
| Bio-based synthetic fibers | +62% | €310 million |
5. Public participation path and time nodes
The European Commission's open consultation will continue until September 30, 2024, and all stakeholders can submit their opinions through the following channels:
• Official website policy consultation platform (participation has reached 23,000+ comments)
• Member State Tour Hearing (12 events have been held/28 events have been planned)
• Industry seminar (exclusive channel for textile industry is open)
This legislation will become a benchmark policy for global sustainable textiles, and its subsequent development deserves continuous attention. Enterprises need to plan carbon accounting systems and product design innovation in advance to cope with the upcoming green trade barriers.
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