Beyond Threads Webinar: How EU regulations are reshaping fashion’s future

Reframing sustainability: From “nice to have” to business-critical

The fashion industry finds itself under intense scrutiny as pressure mounts on companies across industries to adopt more sustainable operations. However, this regulatory evolution isn’t about punishment – it’s about preparing brands for an economy that’s decisively moving away from the linear “take-make-dispose” model.

“Environmentally conscious decision-making is no longer just about good intentions,” explains Ron. “It’s about meeting legal requirements, responding to consumer expectations, and future-proofing your supply chain. Sustainability used to be a marketing angle and an industry buzzword; now it’s the law, and the EU has made it crystal clear that compliance isn’t optional.”

Navigating the interconnected web of EU regulations

European regulators are focused on encouraging end-to-end supply chain sustainability. To achieve this, the latest regulations now resemble an interconnected web where one rule covers product design, another addresses unsold inventory and a third rule determines packaging requirements. The complexity is intentional, designed to close loopholes and prevent companies from simply shifting problems from one area to another.

Key regulatory areas impacting fashion supply chains:

• Ecodesign requirements mandate durability, repairability and recyclability in product design. If you’re still designing products as if they’ll end up in landfills, that approach is becoming obsolete.
  
  
• Digital Product Passports create comprehensive ‘resumes’ for each product, detailing where it came from, what it’s made of and how sustainable it is. This system is designed to create transparency that consumers can rely on and regulators can verify.
  
  
• Extended Producer Responsibility makes brands responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including the post-consumer stage. This fundamentally changes how companies must think about product lifecycle planning.

Turning compliance challenges into strategic advantages

While adapting to the new regulatory environment may initially feel overwhelming, the new landscape is also creating clear opportunities for companies that embrace change quickly. Early adopters are finding that compliance investments often improve operational efficiency while building customer trust.

The difference is stark: brands that view these regulations as obstacles are likely to struggle with implementation costs and operational disruptions. In contrast, those recognising them as opportunities to build better businesses will give themselves the opportunity to emerge stronger and more competitive.

How to build resilience through strategic compliance

Fashion brands navigating this new regulatory landscape face an important choice: approach regulations reactively and struggle with compliance costs, or embrace them proactively to build sustainable practices into the foundation of their supply chains. And when it comes to tackling these challenges, a little support goes a long way.

“Our customers aren't expected to navigate this complex regulatory landscape alone," emphasises Ron. "We're committed to working with our brand partners to help them make sense of these new regulations, providing practical guidance and compliance tools to help them adapt their supply chains accordingly.”

The most effective approach focuses on actionable insights rather than theoretical frameworks. A strategic approach to compliance doesn’t merely satisfy regulatory requirements; it creates lasting competitive advantages, operational efficiencies and brand differentiation that will provide a strong foundation for future growth.

Press play on the Beyond Threads webinar for comprehensive insights and practical guidance on navigating EU fashion regulations. For additional expert perspectives, check out our recent podcast featuring our sustainability specialists, or get in contact for a free consultation with a Bleckmann expert.

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Transcript

Ron Thijssen:


Hello and welcome to the Beyond Threads webinar, where we untangle the complexities of fashion logistics and sustainability in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape. My name is Ron Thijssen, and I’m delighted to guide you through today’s session, navigating EU sustainability regulations—a topic that is not only timely but increasingly essential for any brand operating in the fashion and lifestyle space.


In the next few slides, we’ll break down what these new rules really mean for your business, in plain language, with practical advice and a touch of honesty about the challenges ahead. Because the truth is, sustainability is no longer just about good intentions. It’s about meeting legal requirements, consumer expectations, and future-proofing your supply chain. So, let’s get started.


Let’s be honest: sustainability used to be a nice-to-have. Now it’s the law—and not in a vague “someday this might happen” kind of way. No, the EU has made it very clear: you will clean up your supply chain, whether you like it or not. The fashion and lifestyle industries are in the spotlight, and the pressure is real. But the truth is, these changes are about future-proofing your business. It’s not about punishment; it’s about resilience and relevance.


Today is about helping you avoid panic, prepare smartly, and ideally not get fined.


If you’ve ever tried to understand EU law and thought, “Is this written in a secret language?”, you’re not alone. There is a structure to it—like a slightly over-engineered IKEA shelf or a layered cake. Treaties, regulations, directives, national laws, and somewhere in there, a few helpful tips that aren’t legally binding but still make your life easier.


What matters most is knowing which rules you must follow and which ones you should follow if you want to sleep at night. Before you start sweating, no, you don’t need to memorize acronyms. What’s important is recognizing that these aren’t just single rules; they form a web. One regulation covers product design. Another covers what happens if no one buys the product. Yet another decides how you package it or whether you’re allowed to destroy it.


So yes, it’s a lot—but we’ll help you untangle it, one thread at a time.


Think of this as the EU saying: we’re not just regulating what you do with a product, we care how you build it. Durability, repairability, recyclability—these are no longer marketing buzzwords. They are requirements. And if you’re still designing products as if they’ll just end up in a landfill, that train has left the station, and it’s electric.


Imagine if every product came with its own résumé. That’s what we’re dealing with here. The Digital Product Passport is the EU’s way of saying, “We want receipts.” It tracks where products come from, what they’re made of, and how sustainable they really are. This isn’t just about traceability; it’s about trust. And no, you can’t Photoshop the details.


For decades, fashion brands have quietly dealt with unsold inventory by, well, not dealing with it. That disposal back door is now being shut. The EU is essentially saying: if your product didn’t sell, you can’t just pretend it never existed. We’re moving into a mindset of circular thinking—resale, reuse, reimagine. If your brand’s plan B has always been a bonfire, it’s time for a new plan.


Here’s where things get spicy. The EU has taken the idea of “you break it, you buy it” and flipped it into “you make it, you manage it forever.” Brands are now responsible not just for producing goods, but for what happens after the consumer is done with them. It’s a bit like parenting—only instead of kids, it’s packaging, textiles, and electronics, and they never move out.


So what’s changing with packaging? Packaging used to be a last-minute detail. Now it’s center stage. You’ll need to rethink how you wrap, label, and recycle every product. And yes, the EU is watching. If your packaging isn’t smart by 2030, it probably shouldn’t exist.


This next one hits close to home for anyone who’s ever tried to fix a jacket zipper with a paperclip. The right to repair is about giving products a second, third, or even fourth life. It’s not just about sustainability—it’s about fairness. Consumers are being told, “You bought it, you should be able to fix it.” And companies are being told: make it possible. No more secrets. No more “sorry, that part isn’t available.” Just tools, guides, and transparency.


So how can Blackman help?


If your head is spinning a little, that’s understandable. These aren’t small changes. The good news is, you’re not expected to navigate this alone. That’s where we come in. We help brands make sense of it all—whether it’s compliance tools, supply chain data, or guidance on how to actually meet these rules. We are your sustainability sidekick.


We’re not here to make the rules, but we are here to help. We’ve also released a series of practical e-books that break down these regulations into digestible, real-world insights. They’re free to download from our website—no legal jargon, no fluff, just what you need to know.


Thank you very much for joining us on this webinar on EU regulations. My name is Ron Thijssen, and I hope to see you at our next webinar, Beyond Threads by Bleckmann.