What is EPR and how does it apply to textiles in the Netherlands?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is transforming the textiles industry in the Netherlands. It places legal responsibility on producers and importers for the entire lifecycle of their products, from design and manufacturing all the way through to waste collection and recycling.
A push towards circularity: 2025 targets and beyond
Under the Dutch government’s ambitious sustainability agenda, EPR is being used to drive circular practices. By 2025, at least 50% of textiles placed on the market must be reused or recycled. This figure is set to rise to 75% by 2030. With current reuse and recycling rates at just 35%, significant changes lie ahead for textile businesses.
The EPR Textile Decree: What it means
Since 1 July 2023, the EPR Textile Decree has been legally binding in the Netherlands. It applies to producers and importers who first place consumer or business clothing, bed linen, table linen, and household textiles on the Dutch market, even if the items contain recycled materials. It doesn’t matter whether these products are sold to individuals or companies.
Under this regulation, producers must take responsibility for:
- The separate collection of discarded textiles
- Ensuring textiles are reused and recycled
- Organising and funding suitable collection systems
Your new responsibilities as a producer or importer
If you place textiles on the Dutch market, you must provide accessible, free collection points for consumers across the country. You’re also responsible for demonstrating what happens to the textile waste you collect.
Collection systems: Flexible but mandatory
Producers have flexibility in how they manage take-back systems. Consumers must be able to return old textiles for free, either at collection points across the Netherlands or directly to the stores where they purchased them. What’s critical is that these systems are easy to access and clearly communicated.
Annual reporting: Stay ahead of the deadline
Each year, by 31 March, producers must submit a forecast of the volume of textiles they plan to place on the market (in kilograms). This forms the basis of a provisional contribution.
At the same time the following year, actual figures for the previous year must be submitted. Any difference between forecasted and actual volumes is then adjusted.
Costs and contributions: What you’ll pay
You only pay for textiles that are actually placed on the market.
In 2025, the contribution is €0.12 per kilogram of textiles. Large companies are billed quarterly; smaller businesses, annually in September. The funds go towards waste management, innovation, and advancing textile circularity.
| Textile management fee |
2024 |
2025 |
| Preliminary fee |
€0.10 per kilogram |
€0.12 per kilogram |
| Final fee |
€0.10 per kilogram |
At the latest 15 April 2026 |
Support from UPV Textile Foundation
While compliance is an individual obligation, producers can choose to join a producer collective. The UPV Textile Foundation works with municipalities, charities, recyclers, and innovation partners to coordinate collection and processing. It also helps invest part of the fees into high-quality recycling innovations and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
| Well under UPV |
Not under UPV |
| Consumer clothing (61 and 62) |
Shoes (64), bags, belts (42) (no textile products) |
| Work clothing (61 and 62) |
Headgear (65) |
| Bed linen (6302) |
Blankets (6301), bedspreads (6304) |
| Table linen (6302) |
Net curtains, curtains and roller blinds (6303) |
| Household linen (6302), for example towels and tea towels |
Bags (6305), tarpaulins, tents (6306), mops, dishclothes, cleaning cloths, dusters (6307) |
| Returned products (on the market) |
Unsold inventories (not marketed) |
What’s coming: Future changes to EPR rules
Major changes are coming. As part of the EU’s evolving circular economy strategy, shoes will fall under the scope of textile EPR from 2027. More regulatory updates are expected between 2025 and 2030 as part of the Netherlands’ second Circular Textiles Policy Programme.
Stay ahead – Let us help you navigate global textiles compliance
Navigating changing EPR regulations, in the Netherlands and around the world, can be complex. That’s where we come in.
Our Textile Horizon Scanning service keeps you informed of upcoming regulatory changes, so you’re never caught off guard. And with our Textile Compliance service, we help you meet your legal obligations with confidence, from reporting and collection systems to multi-country compliance strategies.
Get in touch today to see how we can support your textile compliance journey across the globe.
