Quick answer: Clothing sold in the EU must have a correct fibre composition label, be safe and traceable under the General Product Safety Regulation (with an EU-based responsible operator for products made outside the EU), and stay within REACH chemical limits, including the PFHxA restriction for consumer clothing that applies from 10 October 2026. Since 27 September 2026, generic green claims are banned, and from 19 July 2026 large companies may not destroy unsold clothing.

Updated: October 2026. This guide is general information for fashion brands, not legal advice; check details with your compliance adviser.

EU rules for clothing at a glance

RuleWhat it requiresApplies from
Textile Labelling Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011Fibre composition on every textile product, using the regulation's fibre names, in the language of the country of saleIn force
General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988Safe products; product identification such as a batch number; manufacturer contact details; an economic operator in the EU for products made outside it13 December 2024
REACH Annex XVII, entry 72Limits on carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances in clothing and textiles1 November 2020
REACH, PFHxA restriction (EU) 2024/2462PFHxA and related substances limited in consumer clothing and accessories10 October 2026 (other consumer textiles from 10 October 2027)
Empowering Consumers Directive (EU) 2024/825No generic environmental claims without proof; sustainability labels must be certified or public27 September 2026
Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR)Ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear; disclosure of discarded unsold goodsLarge companies from 19 July 2026; medium-sized companies expected from 2030
Revised Waste Framework DirectiveExtended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles: producers pay for collection and treatmentEPR schemes in all Member States by around April 2028

Labelling: fibre composition and more

  • Fibre composition is mandatory, as percentages of the regulation's fibre names: "viscose", not "bamboo"; "elastane", not a brand name alone.
  • Language: the label must be in the official language or languages of the Member State where the garment is sold.
  • Care symbols are voluntary in the EU but expected by most retailers.
  • Country of origin is not generally mandatory in the EU, but if you state it, it must be accurate.
  • Traceability under GPSR: a type, batch or similar identifier, plus the manufacturer's name and postal and electronic address on the product or, where that is not possible, the packaging or accompanying document.

Our private label page shows how labels, hang tags and packaging are planned at sampling.

Product safety under GPSR

Since 13 December 2024, clothing placed on the EU market must be safe under normal and foreseeable use, with risk assessments and technical documentation kept by the manufacturer. If the garment is made outside the EU, there must be an economic operator established in the EU responsible for it, such as the importer or the brand's EU company, and online listings must show the manufacturer and EU contact details. Typical clothing risks to assess include cords and drawstrings on children's clothing, small detachable parts and flammability of certain fabrics.

Chemicals: REACH restrictions

  • Azo dyes that release certain aromatic amines are restricted in textiles that touch the skin (REACH Annex XVII, entry 43).
  • CMR substances: entry 72 limits 33 substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction in clothing, textiles and footwear, applying since 1 November 2020.
  • PFHxA: used in some water-repellent finishes; restricted in consumer clothing and accessories placed on the market from 10 October 2026.

Ask fabric suppliers for test reports or certificates such as OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, and keep them with your technical documentation.

Green claims and unsold goods

From 27 September 2026, claims such as "eco-friendly" or "green" are not allowed unless based on recognised excellent environmental performance or stated with the specific, provable benefit. From 19 July 2026, large companies may not destroy unsold apparel and footwear, except in defined cases, and must report what they discard. Both rules reward producing closer to demand: small runs and reorders instead of large speculative orders. See our sustainable production page and MOQ guide.

Textile EPR and the Digital Product Passport

The revised Waste Framework Directive entered into force on 17 October 2025. Every Member State must set up extended producer responsibility for textiles, where producers of clothing, footwear and household textiles pay for collection and treatment, with schemes due by around April 2028 and an extra year for micro-enterprises. Under ESPR, product-specific ecodesign rules and a Digital Product Passport for textiles are being prepared; their requirements and dates are set in later delegated acts.

Customs when producing in Turkey

Clothing of Turkish origin enters the EU at 0% import duty under the EU–Turkey customs union when it travels with an A.TR movement certificate; import VAT still applies. The importer of record handles customs clearance. More in our guide to clothing manufacturers in Turkey and cost guide.

Compliance checklist for your first EU collection

  • Fibre composition confirmed from the fabric supplier and printed with the correct fibre names
  • Label languages for each country of sale
  • Batch or order number and manufacturer contact details on the label or packaging
  • An EU-based responsible economic operator named for products made outside the EU
  • Fabric test reports or certificates kept on file
  • Risk assessment for children's clothing features such as cords
  • Environmental claims specific and provable
  • A.TR certificate requested for shipments from Turkey

How we help as your manufacturer

We are a clothing manufacturer in Turkey, based in Güngören, Istanbul. We sew labels with the content you specify, including order or batch numbers, pass on fabric suppliers' certificates and test documents for your order, and pack garments to your specification. Legal responsibility for placing products on the EU market stays with the brand or importer, so agree the label content with your compliance adviser before production.

Frequently asked questions

What must a clothing label show in the EU?

Fibre composition using the names in Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, in the language of the country of sale. Under GPSR the product also needs identification such as a batch number and the manufacturer's contact details, on the product or, where that is not possible, its packaging. Care symbols are voluntary.

Do I need an EU representative if my clothes are made in Turkey?

Under GPSR, products made outside the EU need an economic operator established in the EU responsible for them, for example the importer or your EU company.

When does the PFHxA restriction apply to clothing?

For textiles, leather and furs in clothing and related accessories for the general public, from 10 October 2026. Other consumer textiles follow from 10 October 2027.

Can I still call my clothes eco-friendly?

Not as a generic claim. From 27 September 2026 you must state the specific, provable benefit, for example "made with 100% recycled polyester", unless the claim rests on recognised excellent environmental performance.

Can I destroy unsold clothing stock in the EU?

Large companies may not destroy unsold apparel and footwear from 19 July 2026, except in defined cases; medium-sized companies are expected to follow in 2030.

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