Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference

29th - 30th April 2026

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Q&A with the European Commission: What do we need to know about the ESPR and the Circular Economy Action Plan

Q&A
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A fair transition to an effective circular economy requires strong regulation to level the playing field. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will standardise more durable, repairable, and transparent products across Europe, with textiles among the first industries facing compliance by 2027.

But 2025 has brought uncertainty to EU sustainability regulation. In this Q&A with the European Commission, we’ll address: What does ESPR mean in practice for large corporations and SMEs? How can businesses evidence compliance? Where are the opportunities, and when should preparation begin? What happens with unsold stock?

This session will equip you with the practical knowledge needed to navigate compliance and seize the opportunities ahead.

Q&A

What to expect from this type of session...

Leading experts answer your questions. The session is framed in the biggest challenges, opportunities and innovations in industry. But the session is about the audience. And no questions are off limits. These sessions are a chance to take inspiration, ideas and energy back to the office with you.

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Day 0

Tuesday 28th April 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
2:30pm - 5:00pm
Workshop
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Networking
Day 1

Wednesday 29th April 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
9:20am - 10:05am
C-suite priorities: Are quarterly results crowding out long-term survival in the boardroom? 
Finisterre | Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail | Asket | Sustainabelle
Plenary
10:05am - 10:45am
Fair purchasing or failed partnerships? What does real supplier-brand collaboration look like in practice? 
Oritain | Artistic Garment Industries (AGI Denim) | MANGO | Ethical Trading Initiative
Case study
10:45am - 11:30am
11:30am - 12:10pm
Net-zero: Everyone pays for inaction. Who pays for action? 
Marks & Spencer | Soorty Enterprises | Action Speaks Louder | Sustainable & Social
Plenary
12:10pm - 1:00pm
Plenary
1:00pm - 2:00pm
2:00pm - 2:45pm
2:45pm - 3:30pm
3:30pm - 4:15pm
4:45pm - 5:30pm
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Day 2

Thursday 30th April 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
9:00am - 9:50am
The consumption cyclone: Can circularity fix overproduction? 
Hirdaramani Group | Reju | Primark | Tapestry | Sustainabelle
Plenary
10:20am - 10:45am
10:45am - 11:15am
Transitioning to regenerative cotton: Impact, opportunity, and operational reality from farm to brand 
Turnrow Farm Services | COTTON USA™ and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
Case study
12:45pm - 1:45pm
1:45pm - 2:10pm
A just transition: How we can centre waste pickers, not just waste, in the circular economy 
Saamuhika Shakti | H&M Foundation | Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
Plenary
2:55pm - 3:30pm
Plenary
3:30pm - 3:45pm
Plenary