#Sustainability

2025-04-10

Sustainability and due diligence: MEPs agree to delay application of new rules

On Thursday, the European Parliament voted to postpone the application dates for new EU laws on due diligence and sustainability reporting requirements. With 531 votes for, 69 against and 17 abstentions, MEPs supported the Commission proposal, part of wider simplification efforts aimed at strengthening the EU’s competitiveness.

The new due diligence rules require companies to mitigate their negative impact on people and the planet. Member states will have an extra year – until 26 July 2027 – to transpose the rules into national legislation. The one-year extension will also apply to the first wave of businesses to be affected, namely: EU companies with over 5,000 employees and net turnover higher than €1.5 billion, and non-EU companies with a turnover above this threshold in the EU. These companies will only have to apply the rules from 2028. The date of application will be the same for the second wave of companies: those in the EU with over 3,000 employees and net turnover higher than €900 million, and non-EU companies with turnover above that threshold in the EU.

Application of the sustainability reporting directive will also be delayed by two years for the second and third waves of companies covered by the legislation. Large companies with more than 250 employees will be required to report on their social and environmental measures for the first time in 2028 for the previous financial year, while listed small and medium-sized enterprises will have to provide this information one year later.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Commission clarifies rules on plastic bottles recycling

The European Commission today adopted new rules on recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles made primarily of polyethylene terephthalate (PET bottles). These rules establish, for the first time, a methodology to calculate, verify and report chemically recycled content. This is part of the Commission’s December 2025 plastics package.

EU and Australia strengthen relations with Security and Defence Partnership and Trade Agreement

The EU and Australia have today announced the adoption of a groundbreaking Security and Defence Partnership. They have also concluded negotiations for an ambitious and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to launch formal negotiations for the association of Australia to Horizon Europe, the world's largest funding programme for research and innovation. With these steps, the EU and Australia are delivering mutually beneficial outcomes and further reinforcing their already close relations in a time of geopolitical uncertainty.

Arc'teryx introduces System 0™, a new framework for the future of product design and circularity

Arc'teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance apparel and equipment, today introduced System 0™, a new framework that reimagines how products can be designed, manufactured, used, repaired, and ultimately regenerated. System 0 represents the next evolution for sustainability in the outdoor industry, as it embeds circular thinking across an entire product lifecycle while maintaining the uncompromising performance standards that define the Arc’teryx brand.

Action Cohort: Textile Exchange’s new initiative designed to help scale preferred production systems

Textile Exchange has published new guidance to help brands and retailers participating in its Action Cohort prepare for upcoming reporting and target-setting requirements. Earlier this year, the organization evolved its membership to create more action-oriented pathways, designed to accelerate progress toward scaling preferred production systems that create beneficial impacts and resilient supply chains and livelihoods.

WHILL selects Teijin’s tough, lightweight Carbon Fiber Composite for new last-mile mobility

Teijin Limited announced today that WHILL Inc., a global leader in inclusive mobility technology, has selected Sereebo® P CFP series, a carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) material, for key structural components of the upcoming WHILL Model C Lite. Sereebo® P CFP series provides high strength, light weight, design flexibility and system cost advantages to the Model C Lite, which is a battery powered, single-seat, last-mile device. This new model combines maneuverability with light weight and one-handed folding to ensure ease of handling and operation.

Coats Digital launches AI-powered GSD RealMotion for motion analysis

Coats Digital has launched GSD RealMotion, an AI-powered solution designed to provide apparel manufacturers with greater visibility into factory-floor operations. By analysing shop-floor video and applying Coats Digital’s GSD methodology, the solution turns video recordings into structured, motion-by-motion method studies.

Archroma and Lameirinho partner in pioneering deployment of InOneGO single-step dyeing

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, and Lameirinho, a leading home textiles manufacturer based in Portugal, are collaborating to bring InOneGO by Archroma, a new single-step dyeing process, into commercial production. Lameirinho’s first InOneGo bedlinens collection is now available worldwide.