Publications / Policy Deep Dive: Navigating Global Water Regulation: Implications for the Textile and Consumer Goods Sector

Policy Deep Dive: Navigating Global Water Regulation: Implications for the Textile and Consumer Goods Sector

Legislation and Policy

This policy deep dive, published by Cascale and Worldly, examines how growing water scarcity and tightening regulation are reshaping the operating environment for the apparel, textile, and wider consumer goods industry — and what this means for companies navigating risk, resilience, and long-term value creation.

February 04, 2026

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What you’ll learn:

How water regulation is evolving across major production regions
Why water is becoming a strategic business and governance issue
What this means for risk, resilience, and supply-chain decision-making
Practical steps companies can take now

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News Updates / Cascale Sets Scene at Paris Launch of EU PEFCR Apparel & Footwear

Cascale Sets Scene at Paris Launch of EU PEFCR Apparel & Footwear

Legislation and Policy

As coordinator of the Technical Secretariat, Cascale highlights collaboration and convergence toward harmonized environmental measurement at Paris event.

PEFCR launch event in Paris in October 2025, celebrating unity in apparel and textiles.

November 05, 2025

As coordinator of the Technical Secretariat, Cascale highlights PEFCR’s emphasis on collaboration and convergence toward harmonized environmental measurement at Paris launch event.

PEFCR’s Emphasis

Last month, Cascale participated in the official Paris launch event for the European Commission’s Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for apparel and footwear. The event, held in the French Ministry of Ecological Transition in La Défense and co-organized by the French Ministry and 2BPolicy, brought together leading brands, retailers, and NGOs, including many Cascale members, to explore pathways toward convergence between France’s national Écobalyse methodology and the European PEFCR framework — two complementary approaches that share the same goal of measuring, comparing, and improving environmental performance across the apparel and footwear sector.

Gabriele Ballero, manager of policy and public affairs at Cascale, delivered opening remarks and offered reflections on the collaborative, multi-stakeholder process that led to the development of the PEFCR. He emphasized Cascale’s role as a coordinator and convener of the PEF Technical Secretariat — bringing together industry, policymakers, and experts through its global membership to develop a robust, science-based framework for measuring product-level environmental impacts. Ballero also highlighted the shared ambition of Écobalyse and the PEFCR to foster greater harmonization and transparency in sustainability measurement across the EU.

The meeting began with 2B Policy providing context on the development of the PEFCR Apparel & Footwear and its main technical choices. This was followed by a presentation from the French Ministry’s General Commission for Sustainable Development (CGDD) comparing the PEFCR framework with the Ecobalyse methodology, highlighting where elements align and where new additions have been introduced. A technical roundtable then discussed the ongoing work to update the PEFCR, including possible areas of flexibility and key open technical questions.

The final panel focused on timelines and governance for future updates to the PEFCR, examining how revisions could be structured over time and coordinated with regulatory processes. The session provided a structured exchange between technical experts, industry representatives, and policymakers.

Paris Event, Series of Many

The Paris session followed earlier events in Brussels and London and is part of an ongoing series of PEF events taking place across the EU this autumn, with additional sessions planned in Munich and potentially Milan.

As coordinator of the Technical Secretariat for the Apparel & Footwear PEFCR, Cascale continues to champion harmonized, science-based measurement frameworks that drive credible progress and alignment with evolving EU sustainability regulations.

Learn more about Cascale’s work on the Apparel & Footwear PEFCR here.

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News Updates / Cascale Publishes Quarterly Update, Navigating a Shifting Policy Landscape

Cascale Publishes Quarterly Update, Navigating a Shifting Policy Landscape

Legislation and Policy

Exclusive member briefing highlights critical policy and regulatory developments shaping the consumer goods industry

October 16, 2025

Exclusive member briefing highlights critical policy and regulatory developments shaping the consumer goods industry

Cascale has released its Q3 2025 Global Legislative Update, providing members with an exclusive briefing on recent policy and regulatory developments shaping the consumer goods industry. Covering the third quarter of 2025 (July-September), the resource details both progress and setbacks in global efforts to combat climate change and support decent work. From international rulings on climate obligations to new rules on textile waste in Europe and expanding worker protections in Asia, the policy landscape continues to evolve in ways that directly affect the consumer goods industry.

Available exclusively on the members-only platform Cascale Connect, the update distills complex negotiations and emerging regulations into actionable insights. This resource is designed to help members stay informed of evolving policy landscapes across key markets worldwide.

Below is a summary from the full report:

In Q3, momentum for global climate action in the European Union (EU) rose following the International Court of Justice advisory opinion affirming that Member States have an obligation to protect the world’s climate. In response to record-breaking temperatures, UN agencies issued joint guidance to protect workers from rising heat stress. However, division among participants stalled UN-led negotiations on plastic pollution, ending the talks without consensus. In the United States, the Trump administration continued rolling back climate policies as the Environmental Protection Agency proposed to end the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. Meanwhile, California, with its climate risk reporting laws set to take effect in 2026, is emerging as a de facto national leader in climate disclosure standards.
In Europe, the EU introduced new rules on textile waste and the promotion of circular business models for textiles in the consumer goods industry. The rules will require Member States to establish Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes covering all textile producers selling within the EU. The bloc also proposed an ambitious 2040 climate target, signaling a growing divide on climate action with U.S. policy. At the same time, concerns over economic competitiveness persisted: the Council of the EU adopted the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism simplifications regulation, while the European Commission announced it would delay the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation by one year. Beyond the EU, Turkey passed its first-ever climate law, paving the way for an EU-style emissions trading system.
In the Asia-Pacific region, workers’ rights and pay equality gained traction. Vietnam’s updated Trade Union Law came into effect, and Pakistan launched a National Action Plan on pay equality. Indonesia introduced new measures to support its domestic textile industry. China announced new climate targets and plans to establish a unified national carbon market by 2030, which could expand carbon pricing impacts for apparel brands sourcing from the country. It also introduced its first mandatory restriction of hazardous substances standard, aligning with global chemical safety rules and potentially extending to accessory components such as electronic textiles (e.g., garments with conductive threads, sensors, or embedded chips).

These developments highlight the complex and fast-moving nature of the policy landscape. While some regions are advancing climate ambition and workers’ protections, others are scaling back or delaying implementation. For companies in the consumer goods industry, staying informed is essential to anticipating risks, meeting evolving compliance requirements, and identifying leadership opportunities.

Cascale’s Policy & Public Affairs team is dedicated to helping members stay prepared through continuous monitoring of global policy, expert publications, and targeted advocacy. By equipping members with actionable insights, Cascale supports collective progress toward combating climate change and supporting decent work for all.

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News Updates / Cascale Publishes Update on Global Policy Shaping the Future of Consumer Goods Sustainability

Cascale Publishes Update on Global Policy Shaping the Future of Consumer Goods Sustainability

Legislation and Policy

Cascale members receive exclusive briefing on recent global policy shifts.

Choosing upholstery fabric color and texture in a store

July 22, 2025

Cascale has published its Q2 2025 Global Legislative Update, the latest installment in its quarterly series.

Covering developments from April to June 2025, the report details and assesses the impact of policy shifts across major markets—including the United States, the European Union (EU), and the Asia-Pacific region—that are shaping the future of sustainability in the consumer goods sector. These include developments in extended producer responsibility (EPR), corporate sustainability reporting, climate-related disclosure, and circular economy policy. Below is a snapshot of key takeaways from the full report, which is available exclusively to Cascale members via the members-only platform Cascale Connect.

Key Insights

In Q2, the United States federal and state policies moved in opposite directions. While the Trump administration continued efforts to roll back environmental and energy efficiency standards, states like Maryland and Washington advanced new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. At the federal level, bipartisan lawmakers launched the Recommerce Caucus, signaling ongoing support for circular business models.

In Europe, the EU focused on improving market efficiency and sustainability. A key development was the Council’s approval of the ‘Stop-the-clock’ directive, part of the EU Omnibus Package, which aims to simplify corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements. Member States must transpose the directive into national law by the end of 2025.

The EU also introduced a new Single Market Strategy and updates to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The European Commission introduced a benchmarking system to assess deforestation risk by country, adopted a five-year work plan for ecodesign and energy labeling — with textiles as a priority product category — and welcomed a new Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for apparel and footwear. The Commission also signaled plans to withdraw the Green Claims Directive, creating uncertainty around its future. France approved revisions to its fast fashion law, potentially introducing a new eco-score system and ad bans for ultra-fast fashion brands.

In the Asia-Pacific region, momentum continued toward ISSB-aligned sustainability reporting. Mainland China released draft climate disclosure guidelines aligned with international frameworks and introduced its first unified environmental code. Taiwan, Province of China, formally approved ambitious third-phase carbon reduction goals. Meanwhile, Pakistan proposed a draft Textiles and Apparel Policy 2025-30 to boost global competitiveness through regulatory simplification.

Stay Up to Date

Cascale’s Policy & Public Affairs team is committed to helping members stay informed and prepared through continuous policy monitoring, expert publications, targeted advocacy, and member-only events. These efforts provide members with timely, actionable insights to navigate regulatory change and align with evolving global expectations.

As an example of this work, Cascale recently hosted the EU Omnibus Simplification Package Webinar, offering an in-depth analysis of proposed changes to EU sustainability reporting rules. Read the full recap here.

The full Q2 2025 Global Legislative Update is now available on Cascale Connect.

Stay informed—subscribe to our newsletter for the latest Cascale updates, events, and public affairs activities.

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News Updates / Cascale Hosts EU Omnibus Package Briefing Webinar in Collaboration with Policy Hub

Cascale Hosts EU Omnibus Package Briefing Webinar in Collaboration with Policy Hub

Legislation and Policy

Equipping members with insights to navigate shifting EU policy through expert briefings and advocacy collaboration

July 18, 2025

On July 15, 2025, Cascale hosted a member-exclusive webinar in collaboration with Policy Hub to provide a briefing on the EU Omnibus Simplification Package and its implications for the apparel and footwear sector.

The session brought together over 100 registrants from 25 countries, reflecting strong global engagement on the evolving EU sustainability policy landscape.

Moderated by Gabriele Ballero, public affairs manager at Cascale, the session featured insights from Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of policy & public affairs at Cascale; Maravillas Rodriguez Zarco, senior director of Higg Index strategy & operations at Cascale; and Marina Prados Espínola, director at Policy Hub. The speakers examined the implications of proposed changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), offering members a timely analysis of what’s at stake and how to prepare.

¹The timing of the webinar coincided with the European Parliament’s Legal Committee’s consideration of amendments and discussion of its negotiating position, marking a critical moment for EU sustainability legislation. Attendees received a breakdown of the two key components of the Omnibus Package — the “Stop the Clock” proposal, which delays certain implementation timelines, and the “Content” proposal, which is still under discussion and would introduce targeted modifications to CSRD and CSDDD.

Speakers outlined the evolving positions of the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council, highlighting points of alignment and divergence on company thresholds, climate plan requirements, and the scope of the value chain. The discussion emphasized how proposed shifts — particularly the potential move toward a Tier 1 rather than risk-based due diligence approach, and the proposal to introduce a SME shield limiting brands’ reporting requirements to SMEs in their value chain — could reshape compliance obligations for companies operating in global supply chains.

The webinar also addressed how Cascale’s Higg Index tools support member preparedness amid regulatory change. Rodriguez Zarco shared how the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) offers strong coverage of material environmental impacts across Tier 1 to Tier 3 — critical for environmental impact reporting and risk assessments under CSRD and CSDDD. She also emphasized that the Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM) remains a leading sector-specific ESG framework for apparel, textile, and footwear companies, including small and midsized enterprises (SMEs) seeking CSRD alignment. Cascale will assess the need to update relevant content and mapping guidance once the final Omnibus text and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) data points are confirmed.

This session reflects Cascale’s active role in shaping and responding to legislative developments through both technical engagement and advocacy. This includes contributions to Policy Hub’s workstreams and participation in a joint industry statement calling for ambitious, enforceable sustainability standards within the EU framework.

This webinar is part of Cascale’s broader strategy to deliver credible, coordinated, and forward-looking policy engagement — equipping members with the tools, information, and support needed to respond effectively to regulatory change.

Member Resources Available

The webinar recording and presentation slides have been shared with registrants and are also available for download on Cascale Connect, Cascale’s members-only community platform.

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^{1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2025/794/oj/eng}

News Updates / Cascale Celebrates Official Launch of PEFCR for Apparel & Footwear in Brussels

Cascale Celebrates Official Launch of PEFCR for Apparel & Footwear in Brussels

Legislation and Policy

Cascale celebrates five-year, multi-stakeholder collaboration to shape credible sustainability standards

July 10, 2025

Cascale celebrates five-year, multi-stakeholder collaboration to shape credible sustainability standards

On June 25, 2025, Cascale joined policymakers, industry leaders, and sustainability experts in Brussels for the official launch of the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for Apparel and Footwear — a groundbreaking step toward a unified approach to measuring environmental impact across the sector.

The event, hosted at the Sofitel Brussels Hotel, marked the successful completion of a five-year, multi-stakeholder initiative. With formal approval from both the Technical Secretariat and the European Commission, the PEFCR now stands as the most advanced and harmonized life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology for the apparel and footwear industry. It is poised to serve as a key building block for forthcoming EU regulations such as the Green Claims Directive and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

Cascale has played a central role in the development of the PEFCR for Apparel & Footwear, serving as Coordinator of the Technical Secretariat since 2019.

Following a keynote from Emmanuelle Maire, Head of Unit for Circular Economy, Sustainable Production & Consumption at DG ENVI, European Commission, Andrew Martin, executive vice president at Cascale, delivered a welcome address, highlighting the scale of collaboration between industry, civil society, and policymakers that made the PEFCR possible. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the PEFCR continues to evolve, guided by robust data and aligned with meaningful environmental progress.

The event also featured a panel moderated by Cascale’s senior director for policy & public affairs, Elisabeth von Reitzenstein. Panelists from the European Commission, Policy Hub, and ECOS discussed the regulatory roadmap and how the PEFCR framework will help shape credible, science-based claims for products in the EU market, despite the recent uncertainties around the Green Claims Directives.

Cascale’s leadership in this process reflects its long-standing commitment to advancing environmental performance in the apparel and footwear sector. From convening global stakeholders to aligning industry tools, such as the Higg Index, with PEF standards, Cascale is proud to support a more transparent, data-driven approach to product sustainability.

To learn more about Cascale’s work on the PEFCR for Apparel & Footwear, click here.

Following the event, Cascale, in collaboration with Worldly, published a policy deep dive titled “One Market, Two Systems – What PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost Mean for Apparel & Footwear.” This publication explores two emerging regulatory frameworks — the EU’s PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost (Coût Environnemental) — both of which are poised to shape product-level environmental disclosures across Europe. The piece outlines key differences, implications, and what brands, manufacturers, and suppliers need to know to navigate these evolving requirements. Download the full publication here.

Press Releases / Cascale and Worldly Release Policy Deep Dive on EU Product-Level Environmental Disclosures

Cascale and Worldly Release Policy Deep Dive on EU Product-Level Environmental Disclosures

Legislation and Policy

New publication examines what the PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost framework mean for the apparel and footwear industry

July 10, 2025

New publication examines what the PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost framework mean for the apparel and footwear industry

Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – July 10, 2025: Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance advancing collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry, and Worldly, the leading sustainability data and analytics platform for the consumer goods industry, today released a new policy deep dive: One Market, Two Systems – What PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost Mean for Apparel & Footwear.

This publication explores two emerging regulatory frameworks: the EU Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for apparel and footwear, and France’s Environmental Cost (Coût Environnemental). Both are poised to shape product-level environmental disclosures across Europe, with far-reaching implications for brands, manufacturers, and suppliers seeking to align with growing sustainability expectations and compliance requirements.

“Product-level disclosure is fast becoming a business imperative,” said Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of policy and public affairs at Cascale. “As Coordinator of the PEFCR Technical Secretariat since 2019, Cascale has helped shape a methodology grounded in industry realities and scientific evidence, and this deep dive brings much-needed clarity to help members anticipate regulatory change, understand new data requirements, and prepare for credible, data-driven claims.”

JR Siegel, vice president of sustainability, Worldly, added, “Primary data provides businesses the clearest view of their supply chain impacts and helps them prepare for regulations like PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost. Together with Cascale, Worldly is committed to helping companies understand, disclose, and reduce the environmental impacts associated with their products.”

The deep dive explains how both frameworks build on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies — and where they diverge in scope and intent. While the PEFCR is positioned to support EU-wide initiatives such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Green Claims Directive, France’s national framework introduces additional product- and brand-level considerations aimed at addressing overproduction and fast fashion.

The publication also outlines the strategic implications of dual frameworks, offering recommendations on how companies can prepare by leveraging existing tools and aligning global supply chain systems. Practical recommendations include:

How to assess product and supply chain data readiness
How tools like the Higg Index and Worldly’s Product Impact Calculator support alignment with both frameworks
How to reduce future disruption by preparing now for product-level environmental disclosures

This release marks the latest in a series of joint policy deep dives from Cascale and Worldly, following previous reports on the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, and key trends in corporate supply chain responsibility for APAC. It reflects the two organizations’ shared commitment to enabling credible, aligned, and scalable solutions across the consumer goods value chain and keeping members updated on regulatory developments.

Download the Full Report Today

Get expert analysis, regulatory comparisons, and actionable recommendations to prepare your business for product-level environmental disclosure in the EU and French markets.

Download Now

Publications / Policy Deep Dive: One Market, Two Systems: What PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost Mean for Apparel & Footwear

Policy Deep Dive: One Market, Two Systems: What PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost Mean for Apparel & Footwear

Legislation and Policy

This exclusive report, published by Cascale and Worldly, breaks down two critical policy frameworks shaping product-level environmental disclosure in the EU — and what they mean for apparel and footwear companies worldwide.

July 10, 2025

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What you’ll learn:

Key differences between the EU PEFCR and France’s Environmental Cost framework
What’s expected of manufacturers, brands, and retailers
How tools like the Higg Index and Worldly’s Product Impact Calculator can support you

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News Updates / Cascale Talks ESPR at Innovation Forum Sustainable Apparel Event in Amsterdam

Cascale Talks ESPR at Innovation Forum Sustainable Apparel Event in Amsterdam

Industry Event
Legislation and Policy

Elisabeth von Reitzenstein on stage at the Innovation Forum 2025 in Amsterdam

May 14, 2025

Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of policy and public affairs at Cascale, recently took to the stage at Innovation Forum’s Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference in Amsterdam to discuss Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and how brands can get ahead of implementation.

Carsten Wentink, policy officer at the European Commission, joined her for a conversation moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director at Innovation Forum.

Von Reitzenstein noted the significant adaptations that ESPR will require, which will encourage manufacturers and brands to prioritize circularity, transparency, and innovation. She shared key requirements companies must fulfill to comply with ESPR, including proactively integrating eco-design principles, assessing their supply chains, and preparing for Digital Product Passports (DPPs). Von Reitzenstein highlighted the crucial challenges DPPs will present for businesses, particularly those not currently measuring their carbon impact across supply chains.

Emphasizing the importance of gathering reliable information from the full scope of suppliers, von Reitzenstein acknowledged the difficulty in collecting comprehensive and accurate data throughout complex global supply chains. She highlighted Cascale’s Higg Index tools, exclusively available on Worldly, and how they can support the collection, tracking, and analysis of supply chain data for regulatory compliance. She noted Cascale’s continued efforts to support its members along their compliance journeys by providing resources, guidance, and collaborative platforms to navigate the new regulations.

Presenting a global perspective, von Reitzenstein emphasized that companies must move beyond compliance to build genuine resilience. She underscored the critical role of education in understanding legislation, highlighting Cascale’s “Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index” webinar series, which explores how Cascale continues to evolve the Higg Index tools to support companies navigating the legislation landscape. She also shared Cascale’s ongoing efforts to develop and share resources with its members and Higg Index users to ensure they are well informed and supported in their compliance journeys.

Von Reitzenstein reiterated the vital role of industry input, emphasizing the EU’s call for businesses to contribute ideas to shape effective eco-design rules and realistic implementation timelines. She reassured members that they are not alone in this journey, as Cascale continues to offer valuable resources and engagement channels for alignment. She also called on the need for collaboration, highlighting the crucial role of industry organizations like Policy Hub — a Cascale ecosystem partner — in uniting the industry’s voice to shape the sector’s future.

Publications / Policy Deep Dive: Navigating Regulation and Building Resilience: Key Trends in Corporate Supply Chain Responsibility for APAC in 2025

Policy Deep Dive: Navigating Regulation and Building Resilience: Key Trends in Corporate Supply Chain Responsibility for APAC in 2025

Legislation and Policy

This report, published by Cascale and Worldly, examines the growing trend of climate- and supply chain-related regulations across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and their implications for global brands, manufacturers, and suppliers.

May 08, 2025

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