2026 is about slowing down to move forward. Instead of reacting to every new requirement, it’s time to strengthen the foundation and work with intention. In this article, we look at the current legislative landscape, where brands stand today, and how clearer processes and better data create the basis for operational excellence in product development.
At Delogue, we spend a lot of time talking about the future. And sure, it’s tempting to predict what’s coming next. But we’ve learned that guessing rarely leads to better work. When decisions are built on assumptions instead of what’s actually happening on the ground, time and energy disappear fast. So we’ve made a clear choice. Less fluff, more function. Less reacting, more intention. We want to get closer to the real work, look honestly at where the industry stands right now, and turn that insight into action. And since these conversations matter, we wanted to share them with you.
That’s why 2026 feels different. This is not the year to chase every new requirement or jump on the next shiny tool. It’s the year to pause, take stock, and strengthen what’s already there. To look inward at how teams collaborate, how data flows, and where processes either support or slow down product development. Operational excellence doesn’t start with more complexity. It starts with clarity. And clarity comes from understanding your own setup, really understanding it, before building anything new on top.
If there’s one word that defines the regulatory mood right now, it’s uncertainty. Many brands are unsure what’s actually coming, what might change again, and how much effort to invest when rules keep shifting. Instead of guessing, 2026 is a good moment to take a clear status. What do we know right now?
CSRD has been the most confusing to follow. The short version is this: the “stop the clock” proposal has been adopted, pushing reporting deadlines for companies originally due in 2025 and 2026 to 2027 and 2028. At the same time, a provisional agreement has been reached on simplifying the framework and reducing the scope. Fewer companies will be required to report, and revised standards are expected. The final approval is still pending, but the direction is clear.
EUDR has been postponed once again and is now expected to apply from December 2026. A simplification review from the Commission is planned by the end of April 2026, giving brands a bit more time to prepare.
For ESPR and the Digital Product Passport, the working plan from April 2025 gives us a solid timeline. The delegated act for textiles is expected in 2027, followed by an 18-month transition period. That puts expected compliance around mid-2028, with focus on data such as carbon footprint, water use, durability, repairability, and recyclability.
Finally, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is closer than most. Compliance is required from August 2026, making packaging data a priority this year.
The takeaway is simple: timelines are becoming clearer. 2026 is about preparing with intention, not reacting in panic.
So what do all these regulations actually mean in practice, and how much time do we really have? That’s where things start to feel more tangible.
Even with the CSRD delays and adjustments, the reality hasn’t changed as much as it might seem. Large fashion retailers still have to report, which means brands will continue to be asked for detailed product data. So even if the legal pressure shifts slightly, the commercial pressure doesn’t. Knowing your products, inside and out, is still essential. Next up in the timeline is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. This brings packaging data into focus, not just the polybag around a t-shirt, but everything the product travels in, including packaging used for direct-to-consumer sales. Suddenly, details that once felt secondary become business critical.
And while each regulation has its own focus, they’re far from asking for entirely different things. There’s a lot of overlap. Much of the data your key accounts ask for today is the same data expected to sit behind the Digital Product Passport tomorrow. In that way, CSRD has actually helped brands take stock of what data they already have, what’s missing, and where the gaps really are.
Because the truth is simple: when data gaps or product errors are discovered late in the process, they always cost more. Whether that shows up as extra work, last-minute fixes, stress in the team, or missed opportunities, fixing things downstream is never the cheapest option.
All of this can feel overwhelming when looked at in isolation. New requirements, more data, tighter timelines. But operational excellence becomes far more manageable when data and processes are gathered in one shared place.
With a central foundation like a PLM, it becomes easier to see what’s missing, who owns which data, and where decisions are made. Instead of reacting late, teams can spot gaps early, align internally, and move forward with much more confidence. Fewer errors downstream. Less backtracking. Clearer collaboration across product development, sustainability, sourcing, and suppliers.
That’s the real value of precision going into 2026. Not moving faster for the sake of it, but working with clarity and intention, and replacing constant catch-up with control and calm.
Every month, we host a webinar, often in collaboration with our IT solution partners and leading industry brands. The topics vary, but one thing remains the same: we aim to make the fashion industry’s challenges more manageable and share our take on practical, hands-on solutions.
Check out this month’s webinar by clicking the button below.