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Écobalyse: the environmental display of clothing validated by Europe

Good news for the textile sector: the European Commission has given the green light to Écobalyse. This environmental score may appear on labels as early as the end of 2025, marking a major turning point for transparency and the fight against greenwashing.
Written by
Lucas Sichère
Published on
2025-05-21

An official environmental score for clothing, finally

After much debate, the French initiative for environmental labeling on textile products has been validated by Brussels. Starting in the second half of 2025, voluntary brands will be able to display the Ecobalyse score on their labels. This score reflects the environmental impact of a product, on an open scale, similar to a Nutri-Score, but for clothing.

Initially, this system was intended to be mandatory for all brands. Ultimately, only those who communicate on their carbon footprint will be required to display this score. A first barrier against greenwashing practices.

A measure that encourages action... even without obligation

The text also provides a powerful safeguard: after one year, if a brand does not voluntarily publish its score, consumer associations will be able to generate a default score from available data. This mechanism is specifically aimed at certain ultra-fast fashion brands that are currently not very transparent.

Another key point: the French government has preferred the Ecobalyse method to the European Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), which has been criticized for favoring low-end products in some cases.

Towards a global display: environment, social, health, animal welfare

Some brands are already going further by relying on extended indicators such as the Fashion Score developed by Clear Fashion. This score out of 100 also integrates:

  • The social conditions of manufacture,

  • The health issues related to materials,

  • Respect for animal welfare.

The objective: to offer a complete, reliable, and understandable display at a glance, with a clear color code, inspired by the Nutri-Score.

What this implies for textile brands

Even if the Ecobalyse display remains voluntary at first, the dynamic has been launched. And the obligations are accumulating for those placing products on the market:

  • Precise traceability of raw materials and manufacturing processes;

  • Reliable declaration of environmental data;

  • Compliance with EPR Textile requirements (contributions, eco-modulation, repairability, etc.).

Brands that anticipate these new requirements will gain a head start, both in terms of compliance and brand image.

CompliancR: make your data reliable and prepare your environmental displays

At CompliancR, we support brands in the textile sector at every stage of their EPR compliance. Our AI solution enables you to:

  • Automatically track product data (composition, origin, recycled materials);

  • Manage eco-modulations and reuse/repair funds;

  • Generate compliant and auditable EPR declarations;

  • Anticipate future environmental labeling obligations.

Environmental labeling is becoming a lever for transparency and differentiation. Use your data to support your brand strategy with CompliancR.

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