Extended Producer Responsibility: in Valencian textiles and footwear

Circular Economy and Legislation

The Valencia Chamber of Commerce and the College of Biologists are organizing a webinar on September 22nd to analyze the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. The event will address the costs, obligations, and opportunities of legislation that will transform textile and footwear waste management starting in 2027.

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La Sustainability Office de Cámara Valencia, funded by the Diputación de Valencia, and in collaboration with the Colegio Oficial de Biólogos de la Comunidad Valenciana[Organization Name] has convened a key online session for next Tuesday, September 22nd, focused on the future of the fashion industry. The objective is to analyze in depth the obligations and deadlines of the new waste legislation being implemented by [Organization Name]. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is scheduled to come into force in 2027.

The meeting is aimed at all actors in the value chain, from public administrations and municipalities to producers, recovery operators and recyclers, to break down a regulatory framework that seeks to redefine waste management in two of the most strategic sectors of the Comunidad Valenciana.

Key aspects of the new RAP: Obligations and deadlines for the industry

The conference will focus on the challenges that the new regulations present for companies in the sector. Critical aspects such as adapting production processes will be discussed. affordable costs, defending the interests of the sector against the administrations to avoid excessive bureaucratic burdensand the need for a consistent application throughout the Unión Europea that guarantees the international competitiveness of the companies.

The new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law will require companies to fully finance the costs of collecting, transporting, sorting, reusing, and recycling their products. This entails implementing concrete measures such as eco-design to facilitate durability and recyclability, establishing separate collection containers, and ensuring complete traceability of garments . Furthermore, the law will focus on monitoring marketplaces to ensure they comply with the regulations and on promoting collaborative management between social organizations and authorized waste management companies.

Beyond obligation: Business opportunities in waste valorization

Although Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) presents regulatory and financial challenges, the webinar will also explore the new business opportunities opening up for the sector. One of the most promising areas is the valorization of textile and footwear waste for the creation of new materials. These developments are not only aimed at reintroducing materials into the fashion industry itself through innovative products, but also at their application in other sectors, such as the manufacture of urban paving or thermal insulation for construction.

A panel of experts to analyze the new scenario

The session will feature a panel of leading experts to offer a 360-degree view of the impact of RAP. The institutional welcome will be given by D. Rafael Mossi, Director of the Competitiveness Area of Cámara Valencia; Mrs. María DiagoDean of Colegio Oficial de Biólogos de la Comunidad Valenciana, and D. Jorge Blanco, Director General of Quality and Environmental Education of the Generalitat Valenciana.

The legal perspective will be provided by Juan José PernasProfessor of Public Law at the Universidade da Coruña. For its part, Juan Ramón Meléndez, General Director of the Association for the management of textile and footwear waste (Re-Viste), will explain the role of Collective Extended Producer Responsibility Systems (SCRAP) as a collective response to regulatory requirements.

The event will culminate with a panel discussion moderated by Mrs. María Diagowhich will bring together key representatives from the value chain: Ana Belén Muñoz, Head of Sustainability Inescop; Nuria CombradoESG Group Senior Manager JD Group; Pedro AndrésDirector of Texlimca, and Pepe Serna, President of ATEVAL.

Registration:

Time	Presentation / Participants
09h AM	Welcome: D. Rafael Mossi (Cámara Valencia), Ms. María Diago (COBCV), D. Jorge Blanco (Generalitat Valenciana)
09h AM	Regulatory framework: Juan José Pernas (Universidade da Coruña)
10h AM	SCRAP: Juan Ramón Meléndez (Re-Viste)
10h AM	Dialogue: Ana Belén Muñoz (Inescop), Nuria Combrado (JD Group), Pedro Andrés (Texlimca), Pepe Serna (ATEVAL)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and when does it come into effect?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory principle that obliges producers to finance and organize the management of waste generated by their products at the end of their useful life. For the textile and footwear sector, the new legislation will become mandatory in 2027.

What are the main obligations for companies in the sector?

Companies will be required to finance all costs associated with collecting, transporting, and recycling their products. This includes implementing eco-design, ensuring garment traceability, establishing selective collection systems, and monitoring marketplaces to ensure compliance with regulations.

Are there any business opportunities arising from this new regulation?

Yes. The regulations promote the circular economy and open up opportunities in the valorization of textile and footwear waste to create new materials, both for the fashion industry itself and for other sectors such as construction (flooring, insulation).