Softlines and Leather | Monthly bulletin | October 2026

Europe

European Commission Prepares Sustainability Criteria for Public Procurement of Textiles

The European Commission  announced a new initiative to develop harmonised sustainability criteria for public procurement of textiles under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The initiative is currently in preparation, with adoption planned for the fourth quarter of 2027.

The European Commission states that the initiative is intended to:

• Promote the sustainable and circular procurement of apparel textiles.
• Create lead markets for sustainable textile products by leveraging public purchasing power.
• Give greater prominence to the textile sector regarding sustainability issues.

Public authorities are major purchasers of textiles, including workwear, uniforms, healthcare textiles, and other textile products. By introducing common procurement criteria, the Commission aims to increase demand for more sustainable textiles and provide clearer market signals to manufacturers and suppliers.

EU Updates Harmonised Standards for Personal Protective Equipment

On the 4 September 2026, the European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1971, updating the list of harmonised standards supporting the EU Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation (EU) 2016/425.

The measure amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279 and ensures that the references to harmonised standards for PPE continue to reflect the latest technical and scientific developments. The updated standards were developed by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) in response to a Commission standardisation request concerning PPE.

The following new harmonised standards were added:

• EN ISO 374-6:2025 for protective gloves used by hairdressers against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms. 
• EN ISO 24232:2025 for protective clothing designed to protect against rain. 
• EN ISO 16321-1:2022/A1:2025 covering general requirements for occupational eye and face protection. 
• EN ISO 16321-3:2022/A1:2026 covering additional requirements for mesh protectors used in occupational eye and face protection.

The Commission is withdrawing references to several superseded standards, including:

• EN 343:2019 for protective clothing against rain.  
• EN ISO 16321-1:2022 and EN ISO 16321-3:2022, which have now been amended.
• Several older standards relating to gas cylinder valve connections and facepiece threads, which the Commission considers outdated.

The Commission also extended the transition period for older respiratory protective equipment standards:

• EN 12941:1998 (powered filtering devices incorporating a helmet or hood)
• EN 12942:1998 (powered filtering devices incorporating full face masks, half masks, or quarter masks)

The withdrawal date for these standards was postponed until the 8 October 2027.
The decision entered into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

PPE standard updates

The table below summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with a European Norm (EN) (and Harmonisation Document (HD) for the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC)) must be withdrawn

France

New eco-fee penalties targeting ultra-fast fashion

On the 28 August 2026, France has published a new ministerial decree strengthening the rules for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme covering textiles, footwear, and household linen (TLC). The measure amends the existing 2022 requirements for eco-organisations and individual compliance systems and aims to discourage business practices associated with ultra-fast fashion.

The new decree introduces a system of financial penalties (eco-modulation) linked to environmental performance criteria. Producers placing textile products on the French market will pay higher EPR contributions when their products score poorly under a new assessment of industrial and commercial practices.

According to the decree, the objective is to modulate producer fees based on environmental performance criteria tied to industrial and commercial practices characteristic of ultra-fast fashion. The measure applies to producers of clothing textiles and to approved organisations responsible for managing waste from these products.

US

Connecticut expands approved PFAS labelling options for consumer products

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has expanded its list of approved labelling statements and symbols for consumer products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The update provides manufacturers with additional options to comply with the state's PFAS labelling requirements under Connecticut General Statutes § 22a-903c, established through Public Act 24-59.

Since 1 July 2026, Connecticut has required specified consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS to carry labels informing purchasers of their presence. The requirements apply to 12 product categories, including apparel, carpets and rugs, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, juvenile products, menstruation products, textile furnishings, ski wax, and upholstered furniture. 

Expanded labelling options

DEEP has approved additional labelling statements, including:

• "This product contains PFAS"
• "Contains PFAS in internal components"
• "Contains PFAS in packaging components"
• A chemical disclosure statement beginning with "This product contains:", followed by a list of chemicals that includes "PFAS" or "PFAS chemicals"

In addition, manufacturers may use two approved symbols featuring an Erlenmeyer flask containing the letters "PFAS," either with or without an exclamation mark.

These alternatives supplement previously approved statements, including "Contains PFAS," "Made with PFAS," "Made with PFAS chemicals," "Made with intentionally added PFAS," and "This product contains PFAS chemicals."

DEEP may also approve alternative labelling language or symbols upon petition by a manufacturer or producer.

Labelling requirements

Regardless of the wording or symbol selected, labels must be clearly visible before sale and inform consumers that PFAS are present. Labels affixed to products must be sufficiently durable to remain legible throughout the product's useful life.

The expanded labelling options do not change the existing notification requirements or upcoming restrictions on intentionally added PFAS.

Upcoming restrictions

Beginning 1 January 2028, Connecticut will prohibit the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, and distribution of specified products containing intentionally added PFAS, subject to applicable statutory exemptions. The prohibition covers the 12 product categories identified above, as well as outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions and firefighting turnout gear.

Manufacturers and other businesses supplying products to Connecticut should review their existing PFAS disclosures and ensure compliance with applicable labelling, notification, and future prohibition requirements.

New Jersey bans intentionally added PFAS in apparel and diaper products

On 27 August 2026, the state of New Jersey signed S1281 into law as P.L.2026, c.76, amending New Jersey's 2025 "Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act" (P.L.2025, c.202) to add apparel and diaper products as newly covered categories. The base 2025 Act already regulates intentionally added PFAS in carpets, cosmetics, fabric treatments, plant-fiber derived food packaging, and cookware.

Scope

The law creates two separate covered-product categories:

• Apparel — clothing items intended for regular wear or formal occasions, defined broadly to include undergarments, shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, overalls, bodysuits, vests, dancewear, suits, tops, leggings, school uniforms, athletic wear, sports uniforms, everyday swimwear, formal wear, onesies, footwear, and everyday work-wear, plus outdoor apparel (including apparel designed for severe wet conditions).
• Diaper products — absorbent products, disposable or reusable, manufactured to be worn to contain human waste. Menstrual products are excluded from this definition (diapers were carved out of the "apparel" definition and given their own category during the Assembly committee substitute process.)

Key obligations

• Prohibition: No person may sell, offer for sale, manufacture, or distribute for sale or use in New Jersey any apparel or diaper product containing intentionally added PFAS.
• "Intentionally added PFAS" is defined as PFAS added to a product, or intentionally used during development of a product or a product component, to provide a specific characteristic, appearance, or quality, or to perform a specific function — including known degradation byproducts. The definition excludes technically unavoidable trace PFAS stemming from impurities in natural or synthetic ingredients or from the manufacturing process.
• Manufacturer certification: Manufacturers must certify, in a form and manner to be prescribed by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (NJDCA), that each apparel or diaper product they manufacture does not contain intentionally added PFAS. Certifications are valid for five years and must be updated if manufacturing processes or materials change. Manufacturers must provide certification copies to purchasers.
• "Manufacturer" is defined to include the entity whose brand name is affixed to the product. For imported products, the importer or first domestic distributor is deemed the manufacturer if the actual manufacturer/brand owner has no U.S. presence.

Effective dates

• The act took effect immediately upon signing (27 August 2026).
• The sales/manufacture/distribution prohibition and the certification requirement take effect two years later, on 27 August 2028.
• The Division of Consumer Affairs is authorised to adopt implementing regulations and will prescribe the form and manner of the required certification. Companies should monitor future NJDCA guidance or rulemaking concerning implementation of the certification requirement.

Exemptions / Carve-Outs

• Product exclusions: Personal protective equipment; clothing exclusively for U.S. military use; and equipment/protective apparel designed for safe motorcycle or off-highway-vehicle operation.
• Media liability: The law does not impose liability on news media that accept or publish advertisements for otherwise regulated products.

Enforcement

A violation of this section constitutes a violation of the underlying Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act (P.L.2025, c.202), triggering that act's existing remedies and penalties. Under that framework, NJDCA may impose civil administrative penalties in the range of $1,000–$20,000 per violation per day; penalties pursued through the courts can reach up to $25,000 per day.

New Mexico issues guidance on mandatory PFAS labelling for consumer products

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has published guidance to assist manufacturers and other businesses in complying with the state's labelling requirements for consumer products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The guidance, issued in July 2026, supports implementation of New Mexico's PFAS Protection Act (House Bill 212, enacted in 2025) and its implementing regulations under 20.13.2 NMAC. The regulations establish phased restrictions, reporting obligations, and labelling requirements for consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS.

PFAS labelling requirements

Beginning 1 January 2027, consumer products manufactured on or after this date and containing intentionally added PFAS must carry a label identifying the presence of these substances, unless a specific exemption or approved waiver applies. The requirement also covers finished products containing components with intentionally added PFAS.

The mandatory label must feature an Erlenmeyer flask symbol with the letters "PFAS" displayed inside the flask. The label must be clearly visible and legible to consumers before purchase.

NMED's guidance provides clarification on several aspects of labelling compliance, including:

• Product and packaging labels: Labels must be displayed on products and, where packaging prevents the product label from being visible before purchase, on the packaging. Special provisions apply to products too small to accommodate a legible label.
• Label size and appearance: The PFAS lettering must be no smaller than the largest font used for other consumer information on the product or packaging. No specific label colour is mandated.
• Online and catalog sales: PFAS disclosures must be included in online product listings and other sales materials when consumers cannot view the product or packaging label before purchase.
• Complex durable goods: The guidance provides examples of labelling through product specifications, manuals, and other consumer-facing documentation.
• Alternative labelling: Manufacturers may seek NMED approval to use PFAS labels adopted in other states, subject to applicable conditions.

Exemptions and labelling waivers

Certain product categories are exempt from the labelling requirements, including specified federally regulated products such as medical devices and drugs and certain pesticide products.

Manufacturers may also request a labelling waiver for eligible products where intentionally added PFAS are confined to internal components that do not come into contact with consumers during intended use, provided the applicable regulatory conditions are satisfied.

Importantly, products containing fluoropolymers may be exempt from PFAS reporting requirements and sales prohibitions but remain subject to labelling obligations.

Upcoming compliance deadlines

Manufacturers, importers, and retailers supplying products to New Mexico should review the composition of their products, identify any intentionally added PFAS, and evaluate applicable labelling, reporting, and prohibition requirements before the relevant compliance deadlines.