National Action Plan for Textiles (National handlingsplan for tekstiler)
On 2 October 2026, Denmark got its first National Action Plan for Textiles. It was presented at the National Museum in Copenhagen by Samira Nawa, Minister for Climate, Energy and Supply. The headline is simple: we need to get more out of fewer textiles.
If you work in our industry, you might be thinking: "Great, another plan. What do I actually have to do?" Good question. Let's take it step by step.
Why a plan, and why now?
Today, 99% of the materials used in the global textile industry are new resources. Almost nothing comes from reuse or recycling. And the Danish Society for Nature Conservation points out that more than half of all fast fashion is thrown out within a year of being made.
At the same time, EU rules are coming. From April 2028, all EU countries must have extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles and footwear. In plain words: the companies that put textiles on the market will pay for collecting, sorting, reuse and recycling. The action plan is Denmark's way of getting our industry ready before that happens.
Who is behind it?
The plan was funded with DKK 40 million in the 2025 Finance Act. It is run by a consortium of three partners:
Danish Fashion & Textile (Dansk Mode & Textil), the industry association
Lifestyle & Design Cluster, based in Herning
TRACE, a Danish research partnership on circular textiles
A steering committee with industry voices, including the Danish Chamber of Commerce (Dansk Erhverv), follows the work.
What is in the plan?
The plan runs from 2026 to 2029 and has nine initiatives, split into three tracks:
The industry's circular transition. Helping companies build skills, prepare for EU rules like EPR, and test circular business models such as repair, resale and rental.
Circular infrastructure. Shared standards and systems that keep textiles in use longer. This includes producer responsibility, repair and recycling solutions, and common standards for how the public sector buys textiles.
Knowledge and skills. Teaching citizens, schools and employees more about quality, care, repair and reuse.
Most initiatives will be put out to tender. That means companies and organisations can apply to run or take part in projects. Details will be published by the partners as they go.
One important point: the plan is not new law. Nobody will knock on your door tomorrow with a new requirement. It is a toolbox and a framework to help you get ready.
What does it mean for Danish textile companies?
Short version: the plan itself is an offer. The EU rules behind it are not. Here is what we see for SMEs in our industry:
EPR is coming, and it will cost money. From April 2028 you will likely pay fees based on the textiles you put on the market. Micro-companies get until April 2029. Fees can be lower for products that last longer and are easier to recycle. So product design becomes a money question, not just a nice-to-have.
Know your data. To report under EPR, you need to know how many products you sell, what they are made of and where they go. Start collecting this now. It is also the same data you will need for the Digital Product Passport.
Public buyers will ask for durability. The plan will create common standards for public textile purchases. If you sell workwear, uniforms, bed linen or interior textiles to municipalities, regions or hospitals, expect questions about lifetime, repair and recycling.
Free help is on the table. Workshops, networks, training and pilot projects will be offered to companies. For an SME without a sustainability team, this is a chance to learn with others instead of alone.
Circular business models get a push. Repair, take-back and resale are moving from "marketing project" to normal business. The plan will support companies that want to test them.
Not everyone is cheering
To be fair, the plan also gets criticism. The organisation Cirkulær says there are no concrete reduction targets and that too much responsibility is placed on everyone except the industry. The Danish Society for Nature Conservation calls it a good first step but wants more political action on overconsumption, for example in advertising.
We think both points are worth listening to. The plan will not fix everything, and there is no quick fix here. But it gives our industry time, tools and a shared direction, if we use them.
What should you do now?
Map which of your products fall under EPR: clothing, footwear, accessories, home textiles like bed linen, curtains and blankets.
Start collecting product data: volumes, materials and countries of sale.
Sign up for news from Lifestyle & Design Cluster and Danish Fashion & Textile, so you see the tenders and workshops when they open.
Pick one product and ask: how can it last longer, be repaired or be recycled?
Feeling unsure where to start? You are not alone, and that is exactly what we are here for.