Market requirements
Selling textiles in the EU: requirements
Every textile product sold in the EU needs an accurate fibre label and must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulation. REACH limits chemicals such as azo dyes, formaldehyde and nonylphenol ethoxylates, and limits for PFHxA in clothing apply from 10 October 2026. Rules on environmental claims apply from 27 September 2026 and the forced-labour ban from 14 December 2027. The textile Digital Product Passport has not been adopted yet. France and Germany add a few national rules.
Last reviewed 3 Oct 2026 · Not legal advice
A few items for this market are still being checked against official sources and aren't listed yet.
Mandatory (law)
Required by law for textiles sold in the EU.
EU-wide
| Requirement | Applies to | Proof | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre composition labelManufacturing tolerance 3% of total fibre weight (Art. 20). '100%' or 'pure' allowed with up to 2% extraneous fibres (5% for carded products) (Art. 7). Non-textile parts of animal origin must be stated. | All textile products made available on the EU market | Durable label or marking with fibre names from Annex I and percentages by weight; in the official language(s) of the Member State of sale | 8 May 2012 | In force | Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 (EUR-Lex) |
| Origin: customs declaration only, no 'Made in' label requirementThere is no EU-wide mandatory origin label for garments. If an origin is shown it must not mislead (Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC). | All imports | Origin declared on the customs declaration; proof of origin only if claiming a tariff preference | 1 May 2016 | In force | Union Customs Code, Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 (EUR-Lex) |
| General product safety (GPSR)An India-based seller shipping directly to EU consumers needs an EU-established responsible person (manufacturer's authorised representative, importer or fulfilment service provider). | All consumer products incl. clothing and home textiles | Internal risk analysis and technical documentation; product carries type/batch/serial identifier, manufacturer name, postal and electronic address; an EU-based responsible economic operator for non-EU manufacturers; same info on online listings | 13 Dec 2024 | In force | Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (EUR-Lex) |
| Azo dyes releasing carcinogenic amines (REACH Annex XVII entry 43)Restriction originally from Directive 2002/61/EC, carried into REACH Annex XVII. | Textile and leather articles that may come into direct and prolonged contact with skin or mouth | Lab test report: each listed aromatic amine below 30 mg/kgEN ISO 14362-1:2017EN ISO 14362-3:2017 (4-aminoazobenzene) | 1 Jun 2009 | In force | ECHA – REACH Annex XVII restriction list |
| 33 CMR substances in clothing incl. formaldehyde 75 mg/kg (REACH entry 72)Formaldehyde limit for jackets, coats and upholstery was 300 mg/kg until 1 Nov 2023; 75 mg/kg now applies to all in-scope items. Second-hand items excluded. | Clothing and accessories, other textiles with similar skin contact, footwear, for consumers | Lab test report against entry 72 limits (e.g. formaldehyde 75 mg/kg; Cd, Cr(VI), As, Pb 1 mg/kg extractable; listed phthalates 1000 mg/kg combined; PAHs 1 mg/kg; DMAc/DMF/NMP 3000 mg/kg)EN ISO 14184-1 (free/hydrolysed formaldehyde)EN 16711-2 (extractable metals)EN ISO 14389 (phthalates)AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK (PAHs) | 1 Nov 2020 | In force | Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1513 (EUR-Lex) |
| Nonylphenol ethoxylates in washable textiles (REACH entry 46a) | Textile articles expected to be washed in water | Lab test report: NPE below 0.01% (100 mg/kg)EN ISO 18254-1 | 3 Feb 2021 | In force | Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/26 (EUR-Lex) |
| Nickel release from metal trims (REACH entry 27) | Metal parts in direct and prolonged skin contact (buttons, rivets, zips, snaps) | Lab test report: nickel release below 0.5 µg/cm²/week (0.2 for piercing posts)EN 1811EN 12472 (wear simulation for coated parts) | 1 Jun 2009 | In force | ECHA – REACH Annex XVII restriction list |
| Phthalates and PAHs in plastic/rubber parts (REACH entries 50, 51, 52)Date shown is the entry 51 extension to all articles (Regulation (EU) 2018/2005); PAH entry 50 for consumer articles applies since 27 Dec 2015. | Plasticised or rubber components of articles: prints, coatings, patches, trims; stricter for toys/childcare articles | Lab test report: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP each/combined below 0.1% in plasticised material; 8 listed PAHs below 1 mg/kg in rubber/plastic parts with skin contact (0.5 mg/kg for childcare articles)EN ISO 14389 (phthalates)AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK (PAHs) | 7 Jul 2020 | In force | ECHA – REACH Annex XVII restriction list |
| Organotin compounds (REACH entry 20) | Textile articles intended to come into contact with skin | Lab test report: DOT and DBT below 0.1% by weight of tinISO 22744-1 | 1 Jan 2012 | In force | ECHA – REACH Annex XVII restriction list |
| PFHxA and related substances (REACH entry 79)Applies from 10 Oct 2026. Water-repellent finishes are the main risk. | From 10 Oct 2026: textiles in clothing and related accessories for the general public. From 10 Oct 2027: other consumer textiles (e.g. home textiles) | Lab test report: PFHxA and salts below 25 µg/kg; PFHxA-related substances below 1000 µg/kgEN 17681-1 (targeted PFAS)EN 17681-2 (PFAS precursors) | 10 Oct 2026 | Applies later | Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462 (EUR-Lex) |
| PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS (POPs Regulation)Date is the PFOA listing; PFHxS added by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1608. | All articles incl. textiles | Lab test report: PFOA (and salts) below 0.025 mg/kg, PFOA-related compounds below 1 mg/kg; similar limits for PFHxS (since 2023)EN 17681-1 | 4 Jul 2020 | In force | Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (EUR-Lex) |
| SVHC disclosure (REACH Art. 33) and SCIP notificationArt. 33 applies since 2008; date is the SCIP obligation under the Waste Framework Directive. Buyers often ask the mill/garment maker for an SVHC declaration. | Any article containing a Candidate List SVHC above 0.1% w/w | Written SVHC information passed to customers (and to consumers on request within 45 days); SCIP database notification by EU supplier | 5 Jan 2021 | In force | ECHA Candidate List |
| Ban on products made with forced labourCommission guidelines and a forced-labour risk database were published in 2026 ahead of application. | All products placed on or exported from the EU market, any origin | No set certificate; authorities investigate on risk. Supply-chain traceability, due-diligence records and social audits are the practical evidence | 14 Dec 2027 | Applies later | Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 (EUR-Lex) |
| Rules on environmental claims and sustainability labels (Empowering Consumers Directive)Applied through national consumer law in each Member State. The separate Green Claims Directive proposal has not been adopted. | Claims only: any environmental claim or sustainability label aimed at EU consumers | Evidence behind each claim; labels must come from certification schemes or public authorities; generic claims ('eco-friendly', 'green') banned unless recognised excellent performance is shown | 27 Sept 2026 | In force | Directive (EU) 2024/825 (EUR-Lex) |
| Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textilesEntered into force 16 Oct 2025. Member States must set up textile EPR schemes within 30 months (around April 2028). Non-EU distance sellers must appoint an authorised representative. | Producers making clothing, accessories, footwear and household textiles available in a Member State (incl. distance sellers) | Registration in each Member State's producer register and membership of a producer responsibility organisation; eco-modulated fees | — | Applies later | Directive (EU) 2025/1892 amending the Waste Framework Directive (EUR-Lex) |
| Digital Product Passport for textiles (ESPR delegated act)Not adopted. The Commission's working plan schedules the textiles delegated act around 2027; requirements would then apply after a transition period (generally at least 18 months). Not mandatory today. | Textiles and apparel (once adopted) | Not yet defined. Expected data: fibre composition, origin of processing steps, durability, repair, recycled content, substances of concern | — | Proposed | European Commission – ESPR page and 2025–2030 working plan |
| Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)Most obligations fall on the EU importer/brand; harmonised packaging labels come later (from 2028). | Packaging placed on the EU market (polybags, cartons, hangtags packaging) | Producer registration and EPR for packaging in each Member State; substance limits (e.g. PFAS in food-contact packaging only) | 12 Aug 2026 | In force | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (EUR-Lex) |
| Universal PFAS restriction proposal (REACH)Under evaluation by ECHA's scientific committees; no adoption date set. | All PFAS uses incl. textiles (once adopted) | Not yet defined | — | Proposed | ECHA – PFAS |
France
| Requirement | Applies to | Proof | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS ban in clothing textilesItems made before 1 Jan 2026 may be sold until 1 Jan 2027. Protective clothing exempt; textiles with ≥20% post-consumer recycled content exempt. Thresholds set by implementing decree. | Clothing textiles for consumers (all textiles from 2030) | Lab test report showing no PFAS above the decree thresholdsEN 17681-1EN 17681-2total organic fluorine (combustion ion chromatography) | 1 Jan 2026 | In force | Loi n° 2025-188 du 27 février 2025 – Ministère de la Transition écologique |
| anti-ultra-fast-fashion lawPenalties up to €12/item in 2026, rising to €20 by 2030, capped at 50% of price. Relevant only if the seller meets the ultra-fast-fashion criteria set by decree. | 'Ultra-express' fashion producers and online platforms (not ordinary sellers) | Eco-contribution penalties per item; advertising and influencer promotion banned from 1 Jan 2027; display of manufacturing locations and repair/reuse messages | 1 Sept 2026 | In force | Loi n° 2026-602 du 8 juillet 2026 – service-public.fr |
Germany
| Requirement | Applies to | Proof | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Textile Labelling ActImplements Reg. 1007/2011 and sets penalties. | Textiles sold in Germany | Fibre label in German using EU fibre namesEN ISO 1833 series | 15 Feb 2016 | In force | Textilkennzeichnungsgesetz (gesetze-im-internet.de) |
| Packaging Act registration (LUCID)Relevant for D2C shipments into Germany. | Anyone first placing packaged goods with consumers in Germany, incl. foreign online sellers | LUCID registration number and participation in a dual system | 1 Jan 2019 | In force | Verpackungsgesetz (gesetze-im-internet.de) |
Commonly requested by buyers
Not required by law, but many buyers ask for these.
| Requirement | Applies to | Proof | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care labelNot legally required EU-wide (Reg. 1007/2011 covers fibre content only). Expected by virtually all buyers and retailers. | All textiles | Care label using ISO 3758 symbolsISO 3758ISO 6330 (to support instructions) | GINETEX |
| OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certificateBuyer-driven, not law. Product classes I-IV set limits (Class I = babies). Certificates are issued by OEKO-TEX institutes, not by a third party such as TexPass. | All textiles; most common for children's wear, underwear, bed linen | Valid OEKO-TEX certificate number, checkable on the OEKO-TEX label checkOEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 test catalogue (tested only by OEKO-TEX member institutes) | OEKO-TEX |
| Organic / recycled content certification (GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS)Buyer-driven, not law. In the EU, from 27 Sept 2026 a sustainability label must be based on a certification scheme or set by a public authority (Directive 2024/825), so buyers lean on these schemes more. Verify certificates in the GOTS public database / Textile Exchange certified-organisation lists. | Claims only: products sold as organic or recycled | Scope certificate for each site in the chain plus a Transaction Certificate (TC) per shipmentGOTS v7.xTextile Exchange OCS / GRS / RCS (Content Claim Standard) | Global Organic Textile Standard / Textile Exchange |
| Restricted Substances List (AFIRM RSL or brand RSL) lab testBuyer-driven. RSLs typically mirror and go beyond legal limits (e.g. EU REACH, CPSIA). The AFIRM RSL is updated roughly yearly. | All textiles; children's wear usually tested more strictly | Lab test report from an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab against the buyer's RSLEN ISO 14362-1 (azo amines)ISO 14184-1 (formaldehyde)ISO 18254-1 (APEO/NPE)EN ISO 14389 (phthalates)EN 16711-2 (extractable heavy metals)EN 17681-1 / EN 17681-2 (PFAS)ISO 3071 (pH) | AFIRM Group |
| ZDHC MRSL conformance and wastewater testingBuyer-driven. Applies to the factory's chemical inputs and effluent, not the finished garment. | Wet-processing units (dyeing, printing, finishing) supplying large brands | Chemical inventory checked against ZDHC MRSL (e.g. ZDHC Gateway / InCheck report); ZDHC wastewater test reportZDHC MRSL v3.1ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines | ZDHC Roadmap to Zero |
| Social compliance audit (amfori BSCI, Sedex SMETA, SA8000, WRAP)Buyer-driven. Increasingly used as evidence for buyers' legal due-diligence duties (EU Forced Labour Regulation, CSDDD, UK Modern Slavery Act, US UFLPA). | Garment and textile factories | Audit report / certificate from the scheme's approved auditoramfori BSCISedex SMETA 4-pillarSA8000WRAP | amfori / Sedex / SAI |
| Physical performance tests (shrinkage, colourfastness, pilling, seam strength)Buyer-driven quality requirements, not law. Pass/fail limits are set by each buyer. | All garments and fabrics | Lab test report against the buyer's quality manualISO 6330 + ISO 5077 (dimensional change)ISO 105-C06 (colourfastness to washing)ISO 105-X12 (rubbing)ISO 105-E04 (perspiration)ISO 105-B02 (light)ISO 12945-1 / ISO 12945-2 (pilling)ISO 13935-2 (seam strength)ISO 13934-1 (tensile)ISO 3071 (pH) | ISO/TC 38 Textiles |
| Fibre composition verification testBuyer-driven way of supporting the mandatory fibre label; the law requires an accurate label, not a specific test. | All textiles | Lab test report confirming the label's fibre percentagesISO 1833 series / EN ISO 1833 (quantitative chemical analysis)ISO/TR 11827 (identification) | ISO/TC 38 Textiles |
| Better Cotton sourcingBuyer-driven. Mass-balance scheme: does not prove physical traceability of a given garment unless the traceable option is used. | Cotton products for brands that are Better Cotton members | Better Cotton Platform declarations (mass-balance volumes) | Better Cotton |
| Children's wear mechanical safety (snap/button pull, small parts, sharp edges)Commonly required by retailers. Legally, garments must be safe under general product-safety law; these methods are how buyers check it. | Children's clothing, especially under 3 years | Lab test reportCEN/TR 16792 (safety of children's clothing: design recommendations)EN 71-1 small-parts cylinder (used by analogy) | CEN |
Testing for EU
What TexPass can test or verify here
Tests we can arrange at NABL-accredited labs that match the rows on this page, and certificate checks on the official registries.
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Certificate checks: GOTS, OCS, GRS and OEKO-TEX on the official registries
Questions about the EU
What does the law require for textiles sold in the EU?
Every textile product sold in the EU needs an accurate fibre label and must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulation. REACH limits chemicals such as azo dyes, formaldehyde and nonylphenol ethoxylates, and limits for PFHxA in clothing apply from 10 October 2026. Rules on environmental claims apply from 27 September 2026 and the forced-labour ban from 14 December 2027. The textile Digital Product Passport has not been adopted yet. France and Germany add a few national rules.
What do buyers in the EU commonly ask for?
Common buyer requests include: Care label; OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certificate; Organic / recycled content certification (GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS); Restricted Substances List (AFIRM RSL or brand RSL) lab test; ZDHC MRSL conformance and wastewater testing; Social compliance audit (amfori BSCI, Sedex SMETA, SA8000, WRAP); Physical performance tests (shrinkage, colourfastness, pilling, seam strength); Fibre composition verification test; Better Cotton sourcing; Children's wear mechanical safety (snap/button pull, small parts, sharp edges). Buyers ask for these; no law requires them.
What changes next in the EU?
PFHxA and related substances (REACH entry 79): from 10 Oct 2026. Ban on products made with forced labour: from 14 Dec 2027. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles: adopted, date to follow.
Does TexPass certify textile products for the EU?
No. TexPass is not a lab or a certification body. Accredited labs issue the test reports and certification bodies issue certificates; TexPass arranges tests and certificate checks and puts the results on a passport.
This is a summary for planning, not legal advice. Confirm with your importer or a qualified adviser before relying on any item.
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