Écobalyse: environmental labelling for clothing approved by Europe
An official environmental score for clothing, at last
After long debate, the French environmental labelling scheme for textile products has been approved by Brussels. From the second half of 2025, participating brands will be able to display the Écobalyse score on their labels. This score reflects a product's environmental impact on an open scale, similar to the Nutri-Score, but for clothing.
Initially, this scheme was meant to be mandatory for all brands. In the end, only those that communicate about their carbon footprint will be required to display the score. A first barrier against greenwashing practices.
A measure that encourages action, even without an obligation
The text also includes a strong safeguard: after one year, if a brand does not voluntarily publish its score, consumer associations will be able to generate a default score from available data. A mechanism aimed in particular at some ultra fast-fashion retailers that are currently not very transparent.
Another key point: the French government chose the Écobalyse method over the European Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), which has been criticised for favouring lower-quality products in some cases.
Towards a broader label: environment, social, health, animal welfare
Some brands are already going further by relying on wider indicators such as the Fashion Score developed by Clear Fashion. This score, out of 100, also includes:
- Social manufacturing conditions,
- Health issues linked to materials,
- Respect for animal welfare.
The goal: a complete, reliable label that can be understood at a glance, with a clear colour code, inspired by the Nutri-Score.
What this means for textile brands
Even though the Écobalyse label remains voluntary for now, the momentum is building. And obligations keep piling up for producers:
- Precise traceability of raw materials and manufacturing processes;
- Reliable declaration of environmental data;
- Compliance with Textile EPR requirements (contributions, eco-modulation, repairability, etc.).
Brands that anticipate these new requirements will gain an edge, both on compliance and on brand image.
CompliancR: make your data reliable and prepare your environmental labelling
At CompliancR, we support textile brands at every step of their EPR compliance. Our AI-based solution lets you:
- Automatically trace product data (composition, origin, recycled materials);
- Manage eco-modulation and reuse/repair funds;
- Generate compliant, auditable EPR declarations;
- Anticipate upcoming environmental labelling obligations.
Environmental labelling is becoming a lever for transparency and differentiation. Put your data to work for your brand strategy with CompliancR.