French Environmental Cost Explained: What Changes in October 2025

Starting October 1, 2025, the environmental cost of textile products will become a regulatory reality for all brands selling in France. The French Council of State has validated the texts governing environmental labeling, confirming both the timeline and the methodology to be applied. For fashion and textile players, this deadline represents a major turning point in how they communicate their ecological impact and build trust with consumers.

In this article, we detail the latest developments, the obligations to anticipate, and how Fairly Made supports brands in this essential transition.

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What Is Environmental Cost?

The environmental cost of a product measures its impact on the environment throughout its entire life cycle: raw material extraction, production, transport, use, and end of life.

In France, this cost will now be made visible to consumers through a standardized environmental score, integrated into product labeling. The goal is twofold:

• to provide citizens with greater transparency and understanding,
• to encourage brands to improve the sustainability of their supply chains.

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Key Dates for Environmental Cost Regulations

The new environmental labeling system is being rolled out according to a precise timeline:

• September 15, 2025: opening of the declaration portal. Brands must submit their environmental scores. Fairly Made can handle this declaration on their behalf.
• September 24, 2025: a methodological webinar organized by ADEME, clarifying how the rules will be applied.
• October 1, 2025: official entry into force of the scheme. From this date, products will have to display their environmental cost using the approved visual format.
• October 1, 2026: from this date, any stakeholder can calculate brands' scores (external solutions, other brands, etc. For this reason, controlling the environmental score before 2025 reduces reputational risks and avoids external calculations based on potentially inflated data.

The official graphic charter for the label has already been published, ensuring consistent and consumer-friendly presentation.

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Tools to Ensure Reliable Environmental Cost Calculation

To guarantee a coherent rollout of the system, several resources are being made available to companies:

• A consolidated methodological guide, bringing together all calculation rules in a single reference document.
• Two dedicated FAQs: one for businesses to support compliance, and one for consumers, to explain what the environmental cost score actually means.`

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Why Environmental Cost Marks a Turning Point

The mandatory environmental labeling marks a decisive step for the textile sector:

• It provides transparency and credibility for consumers.
• It also serves as preparation for upcoming European regulations, such as the Digital Product Passport.

As Clotilde Chanard, CSR Manager at Des Petits Hauts, explains:

“We see this transparency as an essential step toward more informed consumption.”

In other words, the environmental cost is not just a regulatory tool but also a driver of consumer trust and brand differentiation.

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Fairly Made’s Role

As an expert in traceability and impact measurement, Fairly Made supports brands step by step in this process:

• Supplier data collection: ensuring the accuracy of the information used to calculate environmental cost.
• Calculation of environmental scores: in line with the official methodology validated by authorities.
• Submission on the government portal: a necessary step to display the score.

Fairly Made also provides training and webinars to help brands fully understand the stakes and master the implementation process.

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An Opportunity for Responsible Fashion

• It highlights businesses already investing in sustainable practices.
• It encourages the entire industry to improve its ecological footprint.
• It fosters a more transparent and responsible relationship between brands and consumers.

In short, the environmental cost is becoming a true performance indicator for sustainability, for both companies and the public.

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Preparing for Environmental Cost in 2025

The launch of environmental labeling on October 1, 2025 puts the environmental cost at the heart of the textile sector’s transformation. For businesses, this is an opportunity to take the lead, demonstrate commitment, and prepare for future European requirements.

Fairly Made positions itself as a trusted partner, helping turn this milestone into a competitive advantage.

To learn more, discover our webinar dedicated to environmental cost, and get your brand ready for this new era of transparency.

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