The second-hand clothing industry significantly reduces the environmental impact of textile production and has an underexplored socioeconomic impact.

This report, commissioned by Humana People to People and Sympany+, analyses the socioeconomic impact of this industry in the EU and the United Kingdom, as well as in three African countries: Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique.

It found that the second-hand clothing industry generates significant economic value through green jobs in both continents, supporting economic activity in line with environmental policies.

Moreover, the industry contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, for example by supporting the livelihoods of thousands of second-hand clothing traders and providing affordable clothing options to people around the world.

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has published a study on new product priorities in connection with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The ESPR entered into force this year and aims to make sustainable products the norm.

The study looked at a number of product groups and horizontal requirements to see if they were suitable for action under the ESPR. The criteria used were environmental impacts and improvement potential, market relevance, policy coverage in the EU, cost reflections, and contribution towards EU Open Strategic Autonomy.

It identified 11 final products, seven intermediate products and three horizontal requirements (durability, recyclability, recycled content) as potential priorities for the next steps in preparing the first ESPR Working Plan.