How Your Shipments Get Approved for the EU
When you're ready to export textiles to Europe, your products go through a two-stage compliance review. First we check the baseline requirements that apply to everything. Then, if your products need additional sustainability checks, we verify those too.
The two stages (overview)
Stage 1: General export (mandatory for every consignment)
- HS / TARIC classification — Correct tariff code for duty and statistics
- Origin — Evidence for preferential or non-preferential origin (when the India–EU FTA is in force and your goods qualify, origin rules will matter; until then, use current trade arrangements)
- Fibre labelling — Composition, fibre names, and origin markings as required
- REACH / chemical safety — Restricted substances, SVHC communication, and documentation
You are responsible for accurate codes, origin files, label artwork, and chemical evidence before goods leave your control.
More detail: General export requirements · REACH matrix
Stage 2: Sustainability (only if applicable)
Which checks apply depends on materials, claims, buyer, and company profile. Typical branches include:
| Topic | Example trigger | Deep dive |
|---|---|---|
| CBAM | Significant embedded emissions in metal or listed goods | Carbon & CBAM |
| EUDR | Viscose, modal, lyocell, rubber, leather | EUDR |
| DPP / ESPR | Longer-term product data & QR disclosure | ESPR & DPP · DPP matrix |
| Waste / EPR | EU market placement; buyer EPR reporting | Textile EPR |
| Forced labour due diligence | EU market access & buyer screening | Forced labour regulation |
| CSRD-related data | Buyer value-chain reporting | CSRD |
| Packaging | Shipper boxes, polybags, hang-tag backers | Packaging |
Routing guide: Sustainability requirements
Stage 1 in practice
These four checks apply to every shipment:
- HS/TARIC — Duty class, surveillance measures, documentation codes
- Origin verification — Mills, cut-and-sew, substantial transformation
- Labelling — Fibre names, percentages, care symbols, importer where required
- REACH — Tests, declarations, SDS for relevant inputs
Timeline: Complete before ex-factory shipment.
Stage 2 in practice
Not every product needs every sustainability instrument. Use the sustainability routing table instead of memorising thresholds here.
Common mistake to avoid: Treating CSRD as if it applied to all exporters at 250 employees — see the updated discussion in CSRD. Buyers may still ask for data even when you are not directly in CSRD scope.
Key dates (high level)
- Now (2026–2027): Lock in Stage 1 (classification, origin, labels, REACH). Build traceability if you use EUDR materials; start structured product data for future DPP rules.
- 30 December 2026 / 30 June 2027: EUDR operator categories (see regulation page).
- 27 September 2026: Many ECGT / green-claims national measures bite — see Green claims.
- DPP for textiles: Delegated act ~late 2027 + transition → realistic mandatory use ~2029+ — see ESPR & DPP.
- Textile EPR: Member State schemes by April 2028 — Textile EPR.
- Forced labour regulation: Fully applicable 14 December 2027 — Forced labour.
Keep your records
For every consignment, keep:
- Tariff codes and duty calculations
- Origin evidence
- Label approvals and production samples
- Chemical test reports and supplier declarations
- Sustainability questionnaires you completed for buyers
- Packaging specifications
Retain at least five years unless your buyer or law requires longer. DPP-related data will eventually sit in digital systems—see DPP matrix.
What Should You Do Next?
Walk through consignment checks for your SKU mix with a free compliance assessment.