Business statement calling for coordinated policy action to enable a more circular fashion industry

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The Fashion ReModel. Circular business models can scale. Targeted policy action can make it happen.
Date
29 May 2026
News type
Key Area

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has just published a report on The New Bottom Line: Policy levers to scale resale & repair for fashion

This report looks at what it would take to turn resale and repair into a source of economic growth that uses fewer resources, produces fewer emissions and creates more local jobs. It demonstrates how a targeted mix of policy incentives could lift gross margins to 55% for resale and 41% for repair. 

It covers three policy shifts: 

  • reducing VAT/sales tax on secondhand goods and on repair services
  • lowering labour taxes for jobs in resale and repair
  • Extended Producer Responsibility

Using data from this report, the Foundation has issued a business statement to policymakers calling for coordinated policy action across finance, environment and industry portfolios. These changes would enable governments to rebalance the economics of fashion in favour of circular business models. 

69 businesses and organisations from across the fashion and textiles industry have endorsed this business statement. See what it calls for!