UPV regulations for textiles – what does it mean for your brand?

 

The rules regarding UPV (Extended Producer Responsibility) for textiles are changing rapidly. Your organization or brand may be directly affected: importers, private-label brands, production lines, or webshops that bring clothing to the Dutch market. In this article, you will read what the UPV regulation entails, who must comply, what steps are involved, and how Atelier Jungles supports you in compliance and sustainability.

What is UPV regulation?

 

UPV stands for Extended Producer Responsibility. It means that a producer is responsible for products **up to and including the end of their life cycle** — including collection, reuse, or recycling. For textiles, this means that brands, importers, or producers may be required to pay a fee and report data on the clothing they bring to the Dutch market.

This regulation aligns with EU objectives to reduce textile waste and strengthen the circular economy.

Who does the UPV regulation apply to?

 

You are subject to UPV if your brand, organization, or webshop:

  • produces, imports, or markets business or consumer clothing in the Netherlands;
  • has private-label made or produces itself;
  • an online or physical store that sells textiles to Dutch end users.

Do you only have a studio or do you only supply other brands without sales in the Dutch market? Then you may be exempt — but this does require a clear contractual setup.

What steps & obligations are associated with UPV?

 

  1. Registration
    You register your brand or organization with the responsible UPV organization for textiles.
  2. Reporting obligation
    Annually, you report how many kilos of textiles you have brought to the Dutch market, broken down by material type.
  3. Financial contribution
    You pay a contribution based on volume and material type. More sustainable choices can mean lower costs.
  4. Burden of proof & documentation
    Orders, production data, material information, and invoices must be available for audit purposes.

The process seems administrative, but with the right data structure, it is clear. Atelier Jungles provides you with such a data layer directly.

What are the risks of non-compliance?

If you ignore the UPV rules or report incompletely, the consequences may be:

  • Fines or sanctions in accordance with national legislation;
  • Negative effect on reputation — brands are increasingly under public pressure regarding sustainability;
  • Higher costs in the production chain due to collection systems being retroactively imposed.

By acting early, you create a position of advantage instead of trailing behind the facts.

How Atelier Jungles helps with UPV compliance & sustainability

 

At Atelier Jungles, we have an approach that combines two goals: compliance and circularity.

  • We provide material and kilo reports that are directly usable for the UPV portal.
  • We produce locally in the Netherlands, which keeps the logistical footprint low.
  • We can reuse or recycle old clothing streams, which reduces your UPV obligation.

Do you want everything in one: registration, design, production & data collection? Then read our complete UPV information page.

Checklist: 7 actions for your UPV obligations

  • 1. Register your organization with the appropriate UPV authority.
  • 2. Collect kilos of textile output per year.
  • 3. Split by material type: cotton / synthetic / blend.
  • 4. Keep production, import, and sales data for at least 5 years.
  • 5. Integrate circular strategy: reuse, upcycling, recycling.
  • 6. Monitor annual costs & contributions; choose more effective materials.
  • 7. Communicate internally and externally about your UPV policy (transparency is key).

Frequently asked questions about UPV regulations

 

When does UPV regulation come into effect for textiles?

The exact start date depends on national legislation. In the Netherlands, brands can already prepare; implementation of systems runs parallel to EU guidelines.

Do I have to pay the UPV contribution if I only produce and do not sell?

It’s about who brings the product to the Dutch market. If you only produce on behalf of someone else and the sale is done by another party, that other party may be responsible. Contractual clarity is essential.

Can UPV be combined with sustainable production such as upcycling?

Absolutely. By using old clothing streams or applying recycled materials, you reduce the volume that falls under UPV — with cost savings as a benefit.

Want to know more about UPV regulations?

Discover on our extensive UPV page what the rules are and how we can help you.

Read the full UPV page