About the Report
The British Fashion Council (BFC) commissioned this paper on behalf of the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN) to support policy development for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for fashion and textiles in the UK – a Textiles EPR (tEPR). It is intended to amplify discussions held at the March 2025 Institute of Positive Fashion Forumi, complement CFIN’s May 2025 Programme Report, and is timed to support the work of the Government’s Circularity Economy Taskforce, due to report in autumn 2025.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) offers a mechanism to address both the environmental and economic challenges posed by the fashion and textile industry. In 2023, the UK fashion and textile industry contributed £62 billion to the economyiv, but it also generated significant environmental costs, including millions of garments sent to landfill and substantial CO₂ emissionsv . EPR is now widely recognised as the most effective policy intervention, with the potential to drive the sector towards circularity, reduce waste, and cut emissions, aligning with this government’s broader growth and net-zero objectives.
This paper outlines the CFIN’s policy recommendations for introducing legislation on mandatory, variable tEPR in the UK. Positioned to contribute to the Government's Circular Economy Taskforce, the recommendations support the introduction of a tEPR within this Parliament. The paper underlines the urgent need for legislative action to ensure the UK remains a global leader in sustainable fashion and textiles, addressing both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
These recommendations are rooted in industry-led research and consultation with leading UK fashion bodies and business associations, including the BFC, British Retail Consortium (BRC), UKFT, WEFT and Waste Resource Action Plan (WRAP), alongside international peers and examples of EPR in practice.
Download the report here