Spain introduces EPR framework for textiles and footwear to boost circular economy
Spain has taken a major step in the textile and footwear industry to bring recycling and an environmentally friendly circular economy to the fore. The Spanish government recently published a draft royal decree introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to bring the country into line with the European Union’s sustainable and circular fashion goals.
The main goal of EPR is to bring Spain into line with EU-wide circular economy goals by improving textile waste management. This system will make it possible to control the environmental impact of the product’s life cycle from production to end-of-life. To manage life cycle impacts, it is necessary to join the collective compliance system with the Sistema Colectivo de Responsabilidad Ampliada del Productor (SCRAP).
The law will enter into force one day after its publication in the Official State Gazette, following public consultation on the draft decree on September 4, 2025. Producers must register within three months and submit an application for SCRAP approval within six months.
This mainly applies to household textile and footwear products, which will include knitted garments, sweaters, scarves, household textiles, and general footwear. However, leather clothing and sports protection will be outside this scope.
This law applies to all manufacturers, importers, distributors and online sellers who offer products to the Spanish market. Foreign e-commerce sellers must appoint a representative in Spain to ensure compliance. There is no limit on sales volume or business size. Online marketplaces must ensure that all products sold on their platform are registered and compliant with regulations.
The main responsibility of producers will be to register in the registry, ensure waste collection and recycling through SCRAP, and report product marketing information every year according to weight, number of units, and CN code. If the rule comes into force, it will play an important role in ensuring recycling, reuse and transparency in Spain’s textile industry.
