The European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is set to reshape the textile and footwear industries. With the first working plan released in April 2025, apparel brands will need to adapt to new standards that prioritise durability, traceability, and end-of-life management. At the centre of this transformation is the Digital Product Passport (DPP), which will become mandatory by 2027.
What ESPR Means for Your Brand
The ESPR aims to reduce environmental impact by enforcing new requirements across the entire product lifecycle. These include:
· Material Transparency: Clear, digital records of fibre content and sourcing
· Product Durability: Garments must be designed to last and be repairable
· Recyclability: Products must support disassembly and recycling at end-of-life
· Digital Product Passports: DPPs will store and share essential product information to ensure traceability and compliance
Challenges for Apparel Brands
Meeting these requirements means significant changes to how your brand manages product data and supply chains. Key challenges include:
· Data Management: Keeping product data accurate and up to date across markets
· Supply Chain Traceability: Verifying materials and production through every stage
· Consumer Transparency: Communicating sustainability credentials clearly and digitally
Future-Ready Solutions for ESPR Compliance
Managing care labels and compliance across global markets is complex. Rudholm Group’s Variable Data Cloud® platform automates the creation of care labels and barcode stickers. It ensures accuracy, compliance, and consistent branding across all regions. Key benefits include:
· Language and Regulation Compliance: Automatically applies regional language rules and care symbols to meet global legal standards.
· Fewer Errors: Automated updates ensure local requirements and languages are correct.
· Better Collaboration: Enables authorised teams to access, update, and manage label data in real time from anywhere.
· Greater Efficiency: Less manual input means faster production and fewer delays.
For brands navigating multiple markets and regulations, VDC® reduces complexity and supports ESPR compliance from the ground up.
ShareLabel® – Your Digital Product Passport Solution
As DPPs become a regulatory requirement, ShareLabel® helps brands stay one step ahead. Developed entirely in-house, ShareLabel® is a Digital Product Passport solution that uses QR codes or NFC chips integrated into care labels to assign each product a unique digital identity. This identity links to key data across the product’s lifecycle, helping brands meet evolving compliance requirements.
· Supports DPP Requirements: Store and share essential data digitally, in line with ESPR goals.
· Supply Chain Transparency: Track sourcing, production, and compliance for each item.
· Consumer Engagement: Let customers scan labels to access product details, care tips, and recycling guidance.
· Global Reach: Supported by production facilities in key markets, enabling fast, localised implementation.
Your Next Step Toward ESPR Compliance
Preparing for ESPR doesn’t have to be a burden. With the right tools, your brand can achieve compliance, boost efficiency, and build stronger customer relationships. Contact Rudholm Group to see how our digital platforms can support your ESPR compliance strategy.
