EU Adopts Legally Binding Food Waste Targets and Mandatory Textile EPR by 2030

The package, linked explicitly to SDG 12.3’s 50% by 2030 goal and building on the 2018 Waste Framework Directive, follows the Commission proposal of 5 July 2023, creates new monitoring and reporting duties, and was publicly welcomed by SAFE on 10 September 2025.

key takeaways

• Parliament adopted legally binding food‑waste reduction targets on 5 Sep 2025 to be met by 2030, aligned with SDG 12.3 (50% reduction by 2030).
• The package finalises a mandatory textiles EPR that makes producers, brands, retailers and importers financially and operationally responsible for collection, sorting, recycling and other end‑of‑life management.
• The rules build on the Waste Framework Directive (2018) and introduce national monitoring and reporting obligations to measure progress toward the 2030 targets.
• Commission first proposed legally binding food‑waste targets on 5 Jul 2023; the adopted text was indicated as available from 10 Sep 2025 and SAFE publicly welcomed the measures on 10 Sep 2025.
• Member States must set national reduction trajectories, transpose the measures into national law, and establish national EPR schemes and compliance frameworks.
• Cities such as Guimarães, Lille Metropole and Tallinn are highlighted as crucial delivery partners with local initiatives that can be scaled to meet national targets.
• Textiles EPR will impose producer registration, fee payments to finance collection/sorting/recycling, reporting obligations, and design‑for‑repair/recycling incentives; compliance costs for producers are expected to rise.
• Businesses, cities and stakeholders should watch national transposition schedules, EPR fee methodologies, annual monitoring data and guidance from industry/compliance groups (e.g., Rev‑Log, SourceIntelligence, H2 Compliance, WRAP, Carbonfact).

EU finalises food-waste targets and mandatory textile EPR

The package sets legally binding food-waste reduction targets to be met by 2030 and finalises a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for textiles. Producers and importers will now carry clear responsibility for end-of-life management of garments. The measures explicitly link to SDG 12.3, the 2015 commitment to halve food waste by 2030. The Commission first proposed the targets on 5 Jul 2023. SAFE Food Advocacy Europe publicly welcomed the measures this month. The rules build on the Waste Framework Directive (2018) and create new national obligations for monitoring, reporting and implementing EPR schemes.

What the 2030 Targets Require

The 2030 targets set firm food loss and waste reduction percentages across the entire supply chain—from primary production to food service and retail. Member States must align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which calls for halving food waste by 2030.

Compliance will require better measurement, data collection, and the development of food waste prevention plans. Businesses should prepare by mapping food flows, identifying waste hotspots, and implementing quick wins like standardising portion sizes, tightening inventory controls, and partnering with food redistribution platforms.

Textile EPR: Shifting Responsibilities to Producers

The updated legislation finalises a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles, making producers and importers financially and operationally responsible for end-of-life management. This includes collection, sorting, recycling, and potentially re-use of garments.

EPR fees will reflect the actual cost of managing textile waste, pushing businesses to reconsider product design, fibre choice, and supply chain decisions. Brands can reduce long-term EPR costs by designing for recyclability—e.g., choosing mono-materials, clearly labelling fibre content, and avoiding mixed-fibre blends.

National Monitoring and Compliance Duties

Each Member State must set up monitoring systems and reporting frameworks to track progress toward food waste targets and evaluate the performance of textile EPR schemes. These systems will require businesses to provide consistent, accurate data and comply with new recordkeeping and audit protocols.

Companies will need to assess and possibly upgrade existing reporting processes. Automating data collection and using standardised sustainability metrics can significantly reduce compliance risks.

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Practical Steps for Businesses to Adapt

With these new obligations in place, businesses should act quickly to reduce regulatory risk and gain competitive advantage. Start by assessing your exposure to the new requirements across product lines and operations. Then, create a phased action plan prioritising high-impact interventions.

We recommend piloting changes in a single site or product category to validate outcomes before scaling. This approach reduces costs and enhances internal alignment.

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