Coleo Network SL

EU Legislative Interests

Coleo follows and contributes to the implementation of the European Union’s policy framework for the circular management of post-consumer textiles. The organisation’s activities are directly affected by a set of legislative initiatives currently shaping the transition of the textile value chain towards circularity, traceability and industrial resilience. 1. Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) – revision regarding textile waste Coleo is closely involved in the preparation and national roll-out of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles foreseen under the revision of the Waste Framework Directive. This includes the definition of collection obligations by 2025, quality criteria for sorting, modulation of EPR fees based on circular design and recyclability, and the establishment of separate collection and traceability standards. Coleo aims to contribute operational evidence on sorting capacities, logistics, and data management to ensure realistic and effective implementation across Member States. 2. Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) The ESPR and its forthcoming delegated acts for the textile and footwear sectors are central to Coleo’s mission. The company supports the introduction of minimum recycled-content thresholds, durability and repairability criteria, and information requirements linked to product design. Coleo advocates for harmonised technical definitions that connect design-for-recycling parameters with actual recycling infrastructure capabilities, ensuring that ecodesign translates into real circularity outcomes. 3. Digital Product Passport (DPP) Coleo considers the DPP a cornerstone for transparency in textile value chains. The company develops traceability systems compatible with EU DPP architecture, covering composition, origin, treatments, and end-of-life destination. Its interest focuses on interoperability standards, data governance, access rights, and verification mechanisms, to guarantee that DPP data supports EPR schemes, recycled-content claims, and fair competition among recyclers and brands. 4. End-of-Waste and Waste Shipment Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 replacing Regulation 1013/2006) The classification and cross-border movement of textile waste are decisive for circular textile operations. Coleo follows the development of harmonised End-of-Waste criteria for textiles and the revision of the Waste Shipment Regulation, which seeks to restrict exports of unsorted textile waste and strengthen intra-EU traceability. The company contributes to defining quality benchmarks and documentation models that distinguish reusable textiles, pre-processed feedstock and non-hazardous waste streams destined for recycling within the EU. 5. EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles (COM(2022)141) Coleo aligns with the broader strategic objectives of this Communication, particularly the creation of a single market for circular textiles, the scaling-up of sorting and recycling infrastructure, and the integration of digital traceability. The organisation participates in collaborative initiatives and expert groups supporting the implementation of the Strategy’s flagship actions, such as EPR, ESPR and DPP interlinkages. 6. Related frameworks and funding instruments Coleo also follows horizontal policies that influence the textile ecosystem, such as the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP II), the Industrial Strategy and Net-Zero Industry Act, and EU research programmes under Horizon Europe focused on circular materials and industrial symbiosis. The company contributes to projects that demonstrate viable business models for circular textile flows and the integration of social enterprises in waste management.

Communication Activities

Coleo currently participates in sector-networks and coalitions rather than running large-scale stand-alone campaigns. The organisation contributes regularly to policy debates and communication channels through the following activities: Membership and engagement in sector associations and observatories: Coleo is a member of MODACC (Catalonia), the Spanish textile waste observatory (“Observatorio Textil España”), the reuse & recycling network ReHubs, and importantly the European recycling industry association EuRIC. Through these memberships Coleo receives, shares and disseminates policy-briefs, position papers and stakeholder updates on EU-level legislation — for example those relating to textiles, EPR, ecodesign, digital product passports (DPP) and end-of-waste criteria. Contribution to EuRIC communications: For instance, in March 2025 EuRIC published its “EU Recyclers’ Manifesto: Increasing textiles circularity by 2030”, which sets out policy recommendations including EPR schemes, ecodesign minimum recycled-fibre content, digital product passports, and End-of-Waste criteria. Coleo, via its membership, shares key messages from that manifesto within its network of clients, brand-partners and recyclers. Joint positions in the policy process: In November 2024 EuRIC Textiles, FEAD & Decathlon released a joint position calling for effective EPR schemes and a level-playing-field in the revised Waste Framework Directive (WFD) covering textiles. Coleo references those positions internally and communicates relevant policy updates to its commercial and technical teams to guide strategy and stakeholder conversations.

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Member Of

Affiliations and memberships: Coleo is an active member of several industry and innovation networks in Spain and at EU level that promote textile circularity and recycling. These include: EuRIC Textiles – European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (Brussels): participation in the Textiles Branch, contributing to policy feedback on the Waste Framework Directive revision, EPR implementation, and End-of-Waste criteria. https://euric.org ReHubs Europe – Initiative led by EURATEX and supported by the European Commission, aiming to scale textile waste sorting and recycling capacity across Europe. https://euratex.eu/rehubs Observatorio Textil para la Sostenibilidad (Spain) – national platform bringing together textile, recycling and policy stakeholders to support circular economy implementation in Spain. https://observatoriotextil.es MODACC (Catalan Fashion Cluster) – regional cluster fostering innovation, competitiveness and internationalisation of textile and fashion companies in Catalonia, including circularity projects. https://www.modacc.cat Coleo also collaborates with Textiles European Technology Platform (ETP) and other EU-funded working groups addressing circular materials, eco-design, and traceability.