Clarity for Circularity
Trusted standard to guide, certify and scale circularity beyond compliance
Download CDS Version 6.0Actionable criteria to design and realise product circularity
The Circular Design Standard (CDS) is a trusted, industry-aligned framework developed with and for the textile industry over 5+ years. It is design-led, built to go beyond compliance, and drive circularity with a holistic, scalable approach.
The CDS consists of a comprehensive set of product and material specific criteria structured around four pillars: Circular Inputs, Design for Recyclability, Design for Longevity, Enable Circulation.
The CDS certification is available for apparel, with accessories, footwear and home textiles considered to be next in line.
What are the benefits of the Circular Design Standard?
The CDS gives brands a clear, credible pathway to circular product design, combining actionable criteria in one standard to scale circularity
Aligned with the EU’s evolving regulatory landscape (ESPR, EPR eco-modulation, EmpCO), serving as a pathway to compliance and beyond
Design-led and holistic, with interconnected criteria at product and system level for circularity by design
CDS – Four pillars of circularity
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Safe Inputs
The product is made with inputs (including their production) that are free from hazardous substances, as demonstrated through compliance with recognised standards or frameworks that go beyond legal requirements.Recycled Inputs
The product is made with inputs that have been recovered from high-value waste streams and processed into recycled fibres for use in textiles again.Renewable Inputs
The product is made with inputs (usually plant or animal biomass) that can be continuously renewed at an equal or faster rate than their depletion, using sustainable practices such as organic and regenerative farming. -
Open Recycling System
Products designed for an Open Recycling System are intended to flow through currently existing, publicly available collection, sorting and recycling infrastructures. The required product criteria optimise compatibility with the predominant processes, capabilities and practices to produce recycled output of a quality suitable for use in new textile products.Partner Recycling System
Products designed for a Partner Recycling System align with the requirements of specific and active take-back, sorting, pre-processing and recycling partnerships, allowing tailored material and design choices optimised to the feedstock requirements of that dedicated setup for producing high-quality output able to be used in textiles again. -
Physical Durability
The product is made to last in function and performance, complying with applicable quality test results and design strategies according to its product type and fabric construction.Repairability
The product's design facilitates future repair and alterations, for example through spare parts, replaceable components and design strategies that enable alterations.Aesthetic & Emotional Durability
The product is designed to maintain aesthetic relevance and emotional attachment over time, strengthening the connection with the user and increasing active use. -
Action Plans and Implementations for the reverse supply chain prolong the use phase and enable the product's circulation after its first use. For each strategy below, brands either develop a binding action plan or demonstrate an already achieved implementation.
Data for Circulation
Establishes forward-looking systems for Value Chain Transparency and/or Digital Product Passports, aligned with emerging EU regulatory requirements and designed to go beyond minimum compliance.Customer Engagement
Enables informed decision-making for consumers by providing clear and accessible guidance on product care, repair and reuse, as well as appropriate end-of-use pathways for non-rewearable products.System for Circulation
Defines systems and activities to enable circulation, including take-back systems, services to increase product use, and recycling partnerships.
Zalando chose to accept the Circular Design Standard (CDS) to support pioneering brands in circular design, providing them with a clear and credible way to claim their products on the platform and helping customers make informed choices.Juliana Alvarez Senior Manager for Circular & Sustainable Products at Zalando
Assure readiness for evolving regulations and build your circularity compliance strategy
Developed as a common north star with and for the industry, the CDS was created in close collaboration with brands, retailers, recyclers, sorters, and industry experts.
It reflects evolving industry and regulatory requirements for circularity and enables brands to credibly design, certify, and label advanced product circularity.
The Standard’s ongoing development is overseen by a multi-stakeholder governance board with representatives from across the textile cycle.
To ensure continuous alignment with regulation, circular.fashion actively contributes to national and European projects and committees related to the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and beyond.
Join leading brands, retailers, recyclers and experts to collaboratively shape a common circularity benchmark for the fashion industry
Ensure readiness for evolving EU regulation and turn compliance into measurable, circular impact
Build your future-proof compliance strategy and circularity roadmap and targets with the Circular Design Standard - Strategy Framework
Shaped by the industry, for the industry
The Standard is developed in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary Governance Board whose members represent the full circular textile value chain — including front-running brands, retailers, manufacturers, recyclers, sorters, customer representatives, legal and policy experts.
The expertise and diverse industry perspectives that this Board contributes are central to translating the principles of circularity into concrete criteria that can be implemented in practice and verified by independent third parties.
- ArmedAngels
- ASOS
- Bestseller
- C&A
- H&M
- Hessnatur
- Hugo Boss
- Peak Performance
- PVH
- Marc O’Polo
- Otto
- Schoeffel
- Tchibo
- Zalando
- Altex
- Brightfiber Textiles
- Debrand
- FairWertung
- Fashion for Good
- Resortecs
- RDD
… and many more as part of the CDS Extended Advisory Network, including mechanical and chemical recyclers for various fibre types.
- Dr. Anna-Lena Hoffmann EU Sustainability Law
- Ben Blischke Environmental, Social & Governance
- Nicole Kosegi Extended Producer Responsibility
- Simone Sommer Sustainable Design & Materials
- Fashion Revolution Transparency & Sustainability
- Ohana Public Affairs EU Policy Expertise
- Ruth Hammerbacher Customer Perspective
- Max Gilgenmann Sustainability Communication & Reporting
Get Started
Receive information on how to certify your products according to the Circular Design Standard (CDS)