Textile Exports to Europe: CE, REACH, and the New Sustainability Rules

India's Textile Exports to the EU

Textiles are India's second-largest export category to the European Union, trailing only mineral fuels. In FY 2025-26, Indian textile and apparel exports to the EU crossed $8.5 billion, covering everything from raw cotton and yarn to finished garments, home furnishings, and technical textiles.

The EU is the world's largest importer of textiles and clothing, purchasing over EUR 120 billion annually. India holds roughly a 6-7% share of this market. Behind China, Bangladesh, and Turkey, but growing steadily. The key destinations are Germany , France , Italy , Spain, and the Netherlands (which serves as a distribution hub for Northern Europe).

CE Marking for Textiles: When You Need It

Here is the good news: most textiles do not require CE marking. Regular apparel, home furnishings, fashion accessories, and fabrics are not covered by any CE marking directive. However, certain textile categories do fall under CE requirements.

Textiles That Require CE Marking

CE Marking Required

• PPE textiles. Flame-resistant workwear, high-visibility vests, chemical-protective suits, cut-resistant gloves, and any garment classified as Personal Protective Equipment under Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Requires Notified Body certification for Category II and III PPE.
• Children's sleepwear. Nightgowns, pyjamas, and dressing gowns for children that must meet flammability requirements under the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). Several EU member states apply national flammability standards.
• Medical textiles. Surgical gowns, drapes, wound dressings, and compression garments classified as medical devices under the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745.
• Textiles in toys. Fabric components of stuffed animals, dolls, or dress-up costumes fall under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and require CE marking as part of the toy.

Textiles That Do NOT Require CE Marking

Regular apparel (shirts, trousers, dresses, jackets), home textiles (bed linen, towels, curtains), fashion accessories (scarves, shawls, ties), and fabric rolls sold as raw materials do not need CE marking. These products must still comply with REACH, the Textile Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 for fibre composition labeling, and the General Product Safety Regulation.

REACH Compliance for Textiles

REACH is the single most important regulation for Indian textile exporters to the EU. It governs the chemicals in your fabrics, dyes, finishes, coatings, prints, and accessories. Non-compliance leads to border rejections, market recalls, and buyer blacklisting.

Key Restricted Substances in Textiles

The SVHC Candidate List

ECHA updates the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) Candidate List every six months, in January and July. As of July 2026, the list contains over 240 substances. If your textile product contains any SVHC above 0.1% by weight, you must:

• Inform the buyer about the SVHC presence and safe-use conditions.
• Notify ECHA via the SCIP database (Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects/Products).
• Provide information to consumers within 45 days of a request.

REACH Registration for Chemical Finishes

If your textile products release chemical substances during normal use (for example, a fragrance-treated fabric or an antimicrobial finish that leaches), those substances may need REACH registration if they exceed 1 tonne per year per importer. Work with your EU importer or appoint an Only Representative (OR) to handle this.

Testing Requirements

EU buyers typically require test reports from accredited laboratories (ISO 17025). Tests should cover the full REACH Annex XVII restricted substances list relevant to textiles. Major testing labs with India presence include SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, and TÜV. Budget for EUR 300-800 per style for a comprehensive REACH test package.

EU Digital Product Passport (DPP)

The EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) introduces the Digital Product Passport for textiles starting in 2027. This is the most significant new requirement on the horizon for Indian textile exporters.

What the DPP Requires

Every textile product sold in the EU will need a QR code or NFC tag linking to a digital passport containing:

DPP Data Requirements for Textiles

• Material composition. Complete fibre breakdown (not just the majority fibre), including elastane percentages, coating materials, and trim composition.
• Origin and traceability. Country of fibre origin, spinning location, weaving/knitting location, dyeing/finishing location, and cut-make-trim (CMT) location.
• Carbon footprint. Greenhouse gas emissions across the product lifecycle, calculated using the EU Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology.
• Recycling instructions. Disassembly information, recyclability assessment, and guidance for end-of-life handling.
• Durability information. Expected number of wash cycles, colour fastness ratings, and pilling resistance scores.
• Chemical substances. Any SVHC present above 0.1%, chemical finishes applied, and REACH compliance status.

How to Prepare Now

The 2027 deadline seems distant, but building the data collection infrastructure takes time. Start with these steps:

• Map your full supply chain. Document every tier from fibre to finished product, including sub-contractors.
• Collect fibre origin data. Get certificates of origin from your cotton ginners, spinning mills, and fibre suppliers.
• Start carbon accounting. Measure energy consumption at each production stage. Many EU buyers already require Higg Index or equivalent data.
• Digitise your records. The DPP requires machine-readable data. Paper-based systems will not work.

EUDR: Impact on Textile Raw Materials

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to seven commodities and their derived products. Two are directly relevant to textiles: leather (from cattle) and cotton (under review for inclusion).

Leather in Textiles

Any textile product containing leather components (patches on jeans, leather trims on jackets, mixed-material bags, leather-soled footwear) falls under EUDR. Indian exporters must provide:

• Geolocation coordinates of the ranch or farm where the cattle were raised.
• Proof that the land was not deforested after December 31, 2020.
• A due diligence statement uploaded to the EU information system before the goods enter the EU market.

Cotton Under Review

Cotton is not currently covered by EUDR, but the European Commission is reviewing whether to add it. If cotton is included (a decision expected by late 2027), Indian cotton exporters would need to provide geolocation data for cotton farms. A significant challenge given India's fragmented smallholder farming structure. Monitor this development closely.

PPWR: Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) took effect in August 2026 and directly affects how you pack textiles for the EU market. This is not just about the product. Your packaging itself must now meet specific sustainability criteria.

What PPWR Requires

• Recyclability. All packaging must be recyclable by design. Multi-material packaging (like plastic polybags with paper inserts glued together) that cannot be separated for recycling will be restricted.
• Minimum recycled content. Plastic packaging must contain a minimum percentage of post-consumer recycled content (targets phase in from 2030, but declarations start now).
• QR code on packaging. Every packaging unit must carry a QR code or digital watermark linking to information on material composition, reuse systems, and collection points.
• Minimisation. Packaging weight and volume must be minimised to what is necessary for product protection. Excessive void space is restricted.
• Compostable option. Tea bags, coffee pods, and fruit/vegetable stickers must be compostable. For textiles, this is rarely relevant but check if your packaging includes any food-contact materials.

Country-Specific Requirements

While the EU harmonises most product regulations, individual member states add their own requirements. Especially around labeling and packaging waste compliance. Here are the rules for India's top EU textile markets.

[France](/resources/export-to-france) : Language Labels

Under the Loi Toubon, all product labels and care instructions must be in French. Fibre composition, country of origin, washing/ironing symbols (ISO 3758 pictograms are acceptable but any accompanying text must be in French), and sizing must appear in French on the garment label. The DGCCRF actively inspects imported textiles for language compliance.

[Italy](/resources/export-to-italy) : Packaging Codes

Italy requires all packaging to carry alphanumeric material identification codes per Decision 129/97/CE. Every packaging component (the polybag (LDPE 04), the cardboard box (PAP 20), the tissue paper (PAP 22), the hang tag string (TEX 60)) must be separately coded with the material type and disposal instructions in Italian. Non-compliant packaging results in fines up to EUR 25,000.

[Germany](/resources/export-to-germany) : Verpackungsgesetz EPR

Germany's Packaging Act (Verpackungsgesetz / VerpackG) requires anyone placing packaged goods on the German market to register with the LUCID packaging register (Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister) and join a dual system (such as Der Grüne Punkt, Interseroh, or Reclay). This applies even if you sell through a German distributor. The "first-in-market" entity must register. LUCID registration is free; dual system fees depend on packaging weight and material (typically EUR 200-600/year for small textile exporters).

India-EU FTA: What It Means for Textiles

Textiles are one of the biggest winners from the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026. Currently, Indian textiles face MFN duty rates of 8-12% at EU borders (higher since the GSP suspension in January 2026). Under the FTA, these tariffs will phase to zero.

Category A products receive the fastest tariff elimination. Phasing to 0% within three years of FTA ratification (expected early 2027). Cotton garments and home textiles, which form the bulk of India's textile exports to the EU, fall in this category.

Rules of Origin

To claim FTA preferential rates, your textiles must satisfy the rules of origin. For garments, this typically means the fabric must be woven or knitted in India (a "double transformation" rule. From yarn to fabric to garment in India). Imported fabric made into garments in India may not qualify unless the fabric undergoes sufficient processing. Get your Certificate of Origin documentation ready before FTA ratification.

Testing and Certification Standards

Beyond mandatory REACH compliance, several voluntary certifications significantly improve your market access and buyer confidence in the EU.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100

The most widely recognised textile safety certification in Europe. Tests for over 350 harmful substances. Going beyond REACH requirements in several areas. Products are tested by product class (baby, direct skin contact, indirect skin contact, decoration). Nearly all major EU retailers require Oeko-Tex or equivalent certification. Certification cost: approximately EUR 1,000-2,500 per product group, valid for one year.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)

Mandatory for any textile marketed as "organic" in the EU. GOTS covers the entire supply chain from fibre to finished product, including environmental and social criteria. The "organic" label (Grade 1) requires 95%+ certified organic fibre; the "made with organic" label (Grade 2) requires 70%+. Every entity in the supply chain must be GOTS-certified. India has the highest number of GOTS-certified facilities globally.

BCI / Better Cotton

Better Cotton Initiative (now "Better Cotton") certification is increasingly requested by EU fashion brands as part of their sustainability commitments. It covers farming practices (water use, pesticide reduction, soil health) but operates on a mass-balance model rather than physical traceability. India is the world's largest Better Cotton-producing country by volume.

EU Ecolabel for Textiles

The official EU environmental label for textiles covers fibre production, manufacturing processes, chemical use, fitness for use, and social responsibility. While voluntary, it carries the "flower" logo that is recognised by EU consumers. Few Indian products carry it, representing an untapped opportunity for differentiation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indian textile exporters need CE marking to sell garments in the EU?

CE marking is not required for regular apparel and home textiles. It is only mandatory for PPE textiles (flame-resistant workwear, high-visibility clothing, chemical-protective suits), children's sleepwear with flammability requirements, and medical textiles classified as devices. Regular garments, bed linen, curtains, and fashion textiles must still comply with REACH, fibre labeling rules, and the General Product Safety Regulation.

What chemicals are restricted under REACH for textiles exported to the EU?

The main restricted substances are: AZO dyes releasing carcinogenic aromatic amines (limit 30 mg/kg), formaldehyde (75 mg/kg for adults, 30 mg/kg for children), PFAS in water-repellent finishes, phthalates in coated textiles, nickel in metal accessories, and nonylphenol ethoxylates. The SVHC Candidate List, updated every six months, now contains over 240 substances. Test through accredited labs (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) and budget EUR 300-800 per style.

What is the EU Digital Product Passport and when does it apply to textiles?

The DPP is a mandatory digital record under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), applying to textiles from 2027. Each product must carry a QR code linking to a digital passport with fibre composition, material origin, carbon footprint, recycling instructions, and durability data. Start mapping your supply chain and collecting origin data now. Indian exporters who can provide DPP-ready data will have a significant advantage over competitors still relying on paper records.

Related Guides

• Export to France. EU duties, CE marking, REACH, CBAM, French labeling rules, shipping via Le Havre.
• Export to Italy. Italian packaging codes, fashion supply chain requirements, and Milan trade fairs.
• Export to Germany. Verpackungsgesetz EPR registration, LUCID packaging register, and Hamburg logistics.
• Export to Netherlands. Rotterdam hub for Northern Europe, Dutch sustainability requirements, and logistics.
• Certificate of Origin Guide. How to obtain and use Certificates of Origin for FTA preferential tariff treatment.
• Duty Drawback Guide. Claiming refunds on customs duties paid on imported inputs used in export production.

Update history

• 2026-08-01 First published.