The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is bringing big changes for textile labelling in the EU.
Care labels have traditionally focused on wash and care guidance. With ESPR they are expected to become the connection to a garment’s Digital Product Passport (DPP), opening access to details on materials, durability and recycling.
The next step is to look at what ESPR is likely to demand from textiles and labels.
What ESPR Means for Textiles
ESPR came into force in July 2024 and will set new standards for how textiles are designed, used and labelled in the EU. The specific rules for apparel and fashion will be defined through delegated acts, expected by the end of 2026 with implementation likely beginning in 2027–2028.
For labels, this is likely to mean three things:
• Clearer and more standardised information across all EU markets
• The use of data carriers such as QR codes on physical labels
• A direct connection to a Digital Product Passport (DPP) containing details on materials, durability, repair and recycling
In practice, care labels are expected to evolve from showing just wash symbols and fibre composition to becoming the access point to a product’s wider digital record.
Why Manual Processes Won’t Be Enough
Today, many brands still manage care labels through manual updates, translations and approvals. This approach is slow, costly and often inconsistent.
As the rules tighten, manual processes will struggle to keep up with the level of accuracy required, especially when dealing with multiple markets and languages.
The Digital Foundation for Future Labelling
Preparing for ESPR is not just about changing what goes on a label. It is about building the systems that make accurate, multilingual, regulation-ready information available whenever it is needed.
At Rudholm Group, we have developed the Variable Data Cloud® (VDC) as a way for fashion and apparel brands to centralise and automate care label content. It ensures every update is applied consistently and every market receives the correct version in the right language.
Looking ahead, VDC will enable care labels to link directly to the Digital Product Passport. With data carriers such as QR codes embedded in labels, they become the bridge between the physical product and its digital record.
Our ShareLabel® platform makes this connection possible, managing how QR codes on labels deliver trusted product information.
Why This Matters Now
ESPR is set to redefine the role of care labels in apparel and fashion. They will move beyond wash guidance to become gateways for product transparency. By adopting tools like Variable Data Cloud® (VDC) and ShareLabel®, brands will be ready for compliance today and for the requirements still to come. Now is the time to review how your labels are managed and prepare for the shift ahead. Get in touch to start the conversation.
