Navigating ESPR: What it means for fashion, textiles and SMEs with insights from BSI

22nd September 2025
2:00 – 3:00 PM (BST)
Via Teams

Organised by The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA in association with The British Standards Institution

Introduction
Join us for a free webinar to explore the latest developments in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and what it means for the fashion, clothing and textile industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This session will unpack key components of EPSR, including the Digital Product Passport (DPP), Substances of Concern (SoC), green public procurement, ecodesign requirements, and the ban on destroying unsold goods. International and national standards circualrity and ecodesign relevant to the sector will also be introduced.

This webinar is organised by The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA in collaboration with BSI as part of the EU Just Fashion project. Just Fashion aims at accelerating climate transition in the fashion industry, by providing businesses in the partner countries with a reference framework and tools to shift their production methods, internal procedures and final products towards more sustainable models that are low carbon, circular and socially inclusive.

The webinar will be led by Professor Martin Charter and Dr Virginie Litaudon from The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA with input from BSI.

Objectives
This webinar will help participants:

• Understand the ESPR and its impact: Gain a clear overview of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), including its key components such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP), Substances of Concern (SoC), green public procurement, ecodesign requirements, and the ban on destroying unsold goods.
• Explore the role of standards: Learn how international (ISO) and European (CEN) standards can potentially support future compliance with the components of ESPR, and get updates on current and upcoming standards relevant to the fashion and textiles sector.
• Identify practical next steps for SMEs: Discover actionable insights and guidance tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises, including how to engage with standards and prepare for implementation.

Audience
This webinar is relevant for owners, product developers, and compliance managers in EU-based SMEs and in the fashion and clothing, as well as suppliers to the sector.

Agenda

• 2:00 – Welcome & Introduction
• 2:05 – ESPR deep dive and discussion
  • Context and Background
  • Overview of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will include:
    • Ecodesign Requirements
    • Digital Product Passport (DPP)
    • Ban on the destruction of unsold consumer goods
    • Green Public Procurement (GPP)
    • Sustance of Concern (SoC)
    • Implementation timeline and next steps
• 2:25 – Overview of standards that can support ESPR
  • ISO and CEN standards in related to circualrity and ecodesign including durability, recyclability, and sustainability in fashion, clothing and textiles.
  • Key existing standards relevant to the fashion and textile sectors.
  • Updates on new and emerging standards, including work from CEN/TC 248.
• 2.30 – Action Checklist for SMEs
• 2:35 – Standards Response
• Sara Walton, Sector Lead: Net Zero and Circular Economy, BSI


• 2:45 – Q&A
• 3.00 – Close

Registration
The event is free of charge, but you need to register via rcarruthers@uca.ac.uk by sending your name, job title, and organisation. On receipt, you will be sent instructions to join the webinar.

Further informationFor more information contact:
Ros Carruthers
The Centre for Sustainable Design ®
Business School for the Creative Industries
UCA
+44 (0) 1252 892772

Funding