News Updates / EU Policy Shifts Put Readiness in Focus

EU Policy Shifts Put Readiness in Focus

EU Green Claims
Legislation and Policy

Cascale webinar convened members, with SLCP and Policy Hub, on impacts of EU policy shifts to consumer goods supply chains

Sustainability policy in the European Union continues to evolve across reporting, product requirements, circularity, human rights, and supply chain due diligence. For companies in the consumer goods industry, these developments can influence internal planning, data needs, supplier engagement, and cross-functional coordination. To help members make sense of the evolving policy landscape, Cascale hosted the EU Policy Briefing for Cascale Members earlier this week.

Key Takeaways

EU sustainability policy continues to evolve across reporting, product sustainability, circularity, human rights, and due diligence.
Companies may need to monitor how different policy areas intersect, rather than treating each regulation or directive in isolation.
Stronger data, internal coordination, and value chain visibility can help organizations prepare as policy timelines and requirements continue to develop.
Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members gained access to expert interpretation, practical considerations, and live Q&A through a member-only EU policy briefing.
The recording, slides, and continued discussion are available to Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members on Cascale Connect.

The member-only session brought together experts from Cascale, the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), and Policy Hub to discuss major EU policy developments, including corporate sustainability reporting, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the EU Forced Labour Regulation, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Circular Economy Act, the Waste Framework Directive, national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) developments, and the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive.

Speakers – including Gabriele Ballero, manager of policy and public affairs at Cascale – focused on the strategic implications of these developments. The discussion also gave members an opportunity to ask questions directly of policy and subject-matter experts and consider what emerging requirements may mean for their organizations and value chains.

A central theme from the briefing was clear: While individual policy files and timelines may continue to shift, the need for readiness remains. Companies can benefit from strengthening the systems and relationships that support preparation across multiple policy areas, including reliable data, governance, traceability, supplier engagement, and cross-functional coordination.

Through policy briefings, expert-led discussions, and member-exclusive spaces such as Cascale Connect, Cascale helps members move from monitoring policy change to preparing for its operational implications. This work supports greater confidence navigating an increasingly complex policy landscape and helps members engage in the conversations shaping sustainability rules.

Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members can watch the recording, access the slides, and continue the conversation in the Policy & Public Affairs Knowledge Hub on Cascale Connect.

The webinar was intended to provide a strategic overview of policy developments and does not constitute legal or compliance advice.

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News Updates / Explore Global Due Diligence and Sustainability Reporting Laws

Explore Global Due Diligence and Sustainability Reporting Laws

Legislation and Policy

Cascale’s new interactive Global Legislative Overview Map helps companies explore 21 key due-diligence and sustainability reporting frameworks across global markets.

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Cascale’s new interactive Global Legislative Overview Map helps companies explore 21 key due diligence and sustainability reporting frameworks across global markets.

Companies operating across global value chains face an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Cascale’s new Global Legislative Overview Map provides an interactive, region-by-region view of 21 key human rights and environmental due diligence and sustainability reporting frameworks across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific.

Developed as a companion to the 2026 Global Due Diligence and Sustainability Reporting Legislation Report, the map helps users understand where major regulatory developments are taking shape and how expectations differ across markets.

Key Takeaways

Explore 21 key due diligence and sustainability reporting frameworks in an interactive global map.
View developments across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific.
Use the map to understand where regulatory activity is taking place and how requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Access the accompanying report for detailed legislative analysis and the Higg Index overlap assessment.
The map will be updated periodically as relevant legislation evolves.

What Does the Global Legislative Overview Map Cover?

The map visualizes legislation related to corporate sustainability reporting and human rights and environmental due diligence. Users can explore the frameworks by region and review high-level information about their scope, requirements, and status.

It is intended to provide an accessible starting point for companies monitoring regulatory developments across multiple markets. The map can also support internal discussions among sustainability, legal, compliance, sourcing, public affairs, and leadership teams.

How Does the Map Relate to the Report?

The initial version of the map is based on the legislative analysis included in Cascale’s 2026 Global Due Diligence and Sustainability Reporting Legislation Report, published earlier this year. The report provides more detailed information on each legislative framework, including:

Scope and applicability
Key requirements for companies
Implementation status and timelines
Relevance to Cascale’s strategic pillars and workstreams
Where the Higg Index frameworks may support readiness efforts related to data, governance, and performance measurement

How Does Cascale Support Members Navigating Policy Change?

The Global Legislative Overview Map is publicly available as part of Cascale’s commitment to strengthening industry understanding of sustainability policy.

Corporate and Affiliate Members receive access to additional policy insights and engagement opportunities designed to help them navigate regulatory developments, including:

Member-exclusive policy webinars and briefings
Email newsletters and legislative updates
Regional reports and policy deep dives
Discussions, resources, and expert insights through the Policy & Public Affairs Knowledge Hub on Cascale Connect
Opportunities to contribute industry perspectives to Cascale’s public affairs and advocacy work

Through these resources, Cascale helps members interpret policy developments, make more informed business decisions, and engage with peers navigating similar challenges.

Explore the Global Legislative Overview Map →

News Updates / Member Roundtable Explores CSRD Implementation In Practice

Member Roundtable Explores CSRD Implementation In Practice

Legislation and Policy

Cascale convened a roundtable in Brussels focused on practical reporting realities across global value chains.

Berlaymont, Brussels, Belgium depicting waving European Union flags in front of a government building.

CSRD Roundtable, At a Glance

Data infrastructure, assurance, proportionality, and supplier engagement key topics following Omnibus I adoption
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) framed as a shift from voluntary sustainability reporting toward financial-grade reporting
Alignment crucial between Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), as well as upcoming mapping of Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) for facility-level data use
Ongoing industry uncertainty exists around value-chain cap and Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs (VSMEs)

Recently, Cascale convened members for a follow-up roundtable on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to explore practical implementation challenges for complex global value chains. Building on insights from the 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong, the discussion focused on translating regulatory requirements into workable, proportionate reporting practices.

The session was held in Brussels, Belgium, and was titled “CSRD in Practice: Bridging Policy Expectations and Supply Chain Realities.” Held under Chatham House rules, participants representing the textile and apparel value chain — from manufacturers to brands, retailers, and service providers — shared perspectives on implementation questions following the adoption of Omnibus I, including topics such as data infrastructure, assurance expectations, proportionality, and supplier engagement.

“CSRD transforms sustainability reporting from a voluntary activity into something closer to financial reporting,” said Gabriele Ballero, public affairs manager at Cascale. “Our goal is to help members navigate these requirements using practical tools like the Higg Index, while conveying industry perspectives to policymakers.”

Cascale highlighted early structural alignment work between the Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM) and the first iteration of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), along with planned mapping of the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) to support responsible use of verified facility data for CSRD-related reporting.

The roundtable also emphasized interoperability and shared infrastructures as enablers of proportionality, helping reduce duplicative data requests and support reliable reporting across supply chains—particularly as questions continue to emerge around the value-chain cap and the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs (VSME).

Cascale synthesized non-attributed discussion themes into an internal summary to support member learning and inform future implementation-focused engagement. Cascale members can access related resources and ongoing updates in the Policy & Public Affairs Knowledge Hub on Cascale Connect, an online member-exclusive community.

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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.

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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.

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

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.

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

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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

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.

Not yet a member? Explore Cascale membership today.

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

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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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

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

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.

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