Spain Publishes Draft Decree on Textile and Footwear EPR
Spain has taken a significant step towards advancing a circular fashion economy and tackling textile waste. On 23rd June 2025, the Spanish Government released its draft Royal Decree on the management of textile and footwear waste, introducing a comprehensive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework that is expected to reshape the country’s textile value chain. We are anticipating this legislation to be signed off late 2025 – early 2026 after the public consultation closed on 4th September 2025.
The proposal places financial and organisational obligations on textile producers, ensuring that items are collected, sorted, reused, and recycled at the end of their life cycle. Spain’s draft decree is considered more ambitious than many other EU countries’ EPR models and could set a higher benchmark for compliance expectations.
Who is affected?
- Producers: defined as manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online sellers, regardless of if they operate within Spain or abroad.
- Online sellers and logistic providers also have specific requirements, which will be detailed in the future.
Products in scope
The new decree aims to push towards full inclusivity of textile products placed on the Spanish market:
- Textile-based apparel
- Footwear
- Leather goods
- Waterproof clothing
- Textile-related accessories
Obligations for producers will include:
- Joining or creating a collective EPR scheme
- Registering with the national registry of product producers
- Reporting annually on products placed on the Spanish market
- Funding the full cost of collection, sorting, recycling, and public awareness initiatives
Eco-modulation is included in the decree resulting in financial contributions being adjusted based on product durability, design choice, and environmental performance, aligning with eco-modulation principles seen in France and other countries – supporting the harmonisation of EPR requirements.
The impact of fast fashion on textile waste volumes has been declining product lifespans and has highlighted the need for textiles EPR to grow rapidly. The aim is to reduce landfill and incineration rates, increase reuse and recycling, involve local social economy organisations in reuse schemes, and encourage more eco modulation and sustainable products and business models to support the circular economy act.
By combining EPR obligations with eco-modulation incentives, Spain intends to accelerate the shift toward circularity and improve the overall sustainability of the textile sector.
The new EU Directive to reduce textile and food waste highlights the importance of focussing on the textiles waste stream. Given its significant environmental impact, there is a major push to place responsibility on the textile and food industry to support the circular economy goals.
Textiles Compliance is already required for some countries in the EU. Find out more here.