Irish clothing retailer Primark has updated its Circular Product Standard 2.0 policy to “scale circular design across the company.” The company is tightening its criteria for materials, durability and recyclability for selected product lines.
In a statement, Primark said the updated Circular Product Standard 2.0, first introduced in 2023, will create a new “progressive level of design” with clearer targets for more advanced products. The requirements for materials, durability and recyclability are increasing – including the use of post-consumer recycled textiles.
Based on three years of “learning, testing and collaboration,” the company says the revised framework will provide a clear and practical approach to circular design. It is aimed at both Primark and its suppliers and defines what Primark means by “Circular by Design”. This includes developing clothing according to the company’s durability framework. It should therefore be made from recycled or more sustainable fibers and be designed so that it can be recycled at the end of its life.
Circular design is now embedded in nine key product categories at the retailer: denim, jersey, knitwear, sleepwear, shirts, skirts, blouses, dresses and casualwear. This has resulted in five percent of all Primark clothing sold in the 2024/2025 financial year being Circular by Design. This includes 20 percent of jersey and eight percent of denim products.
In the Circular Product Standard 2.0, Primark has focused on solutions that are “practical, achievable and scalable”. The company highlighted “small but significant changes”. This includes shortening elastic cuffs and removing non-functional metal elements such as rivets. More recyclable printing techniques should also improve recyclability.
The clothing retailer has “learned a lot in the last three years”
Nicholas Lambert, Head of Circularity and Materials at Primark, said: “By relaunching and updating our Circular Product Standard, we are benefiting from a lot of learning over the last three years.”
“We know we haven’t solved every challenge or answered every question – far from it. Instead, we hope this updated approach reflects our commitment to learning and continuing to make progress. Not perfection, but progress – in collaboration with our partners, suppliers and colleagues,” said Lambert. “We continue to strongly believe that circular fashion should be affordable for everyone. We hope that the updated ‘Circular Product Standard 2.0’ will support this ambition.”
The update comes as the circular economy regulatory landscape continues to evolve. National governments and the EU are introducing new requirements for product design, use of recycled materials, durability, traceability and end-of-life responsibility.
Lambert added: “Upcoming regulations and legislation are changing our understanding – and the industry’s – of what circular design actually means. At the same time, textile-to-textile innovations are providing new insights into which fibers, materials and garments can be more easily recycled now and in the years to come.”
“After spending three years putting the theory of circular design into practice, we wanted to share our experiences – as well as the challenges and opportunities we see. We are proud of the progress made over the last three years. The fact that five percent of our clothing is ‘Circular by Design’ within three years reflects the enormous collective effort of many colleagues and suppliers.”
Primark operates more than 475 stores in 18 countries across the UK, Europe, US and Middle East and employs more than 80,000 people.
This article was created using digital tools translated.
FashionUnited uses artificial intelligence to speed up the translation of articles and improve the end result. They help us to make FashionUnited’s international reporting quickly and comprehensively accessible to a German-speaking readership. Articles translated using AI-based tools are proofread and carefully edited by our editors before they are published. If you have any questions or comments, please email [email protected]
