An international fashion retailer offers clothing and everyday products across a large and diverse portfolio. As expectations for product-level environmental transparency increase in the apparel sector, the company recognized the need to better understand how emerging methodologies would apply across its business. To prepare for this shift, the retailer partnered with Quantis to assess its readiness to apply the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for Apparel & Footwear and the French Product Environmental Footprint at scale, and to clarify what would be required to move toward broader portfolio coverage.
Challenge
Product-level environmental transparency requirements for apparel are evolving rapidly. On October 1, 2025, the Product Environmental Footprint for apparel entered into force. While initially voluntary, from October 1, 2026, third parties will be allowed to publish a score for a brand if the brand has not disclosed it itself on the official portal. In parallel, the PEFCR Apparel & Footwear is expected to be relevant for Future Digital Product Passport requirements.
The retailer had not previously conducted product footprinting and needed to understand its readiness to apply both methodologies across its product portfolio. Relevant data existed across the organization but was scattered and not structured to support assessments at scale. The objective was to clarify the current level of readiness, identify key data and organizational gaps, and define a clear path forward.
Solutions
Quantis supported the retailer with a structured readiness assessment focused on applying the Product Environmental Footprint and PEFCR Apparel & Footwear.
Five representative products were selected for a pilot. Quantis supported data collection, modelled product impacts, and analyzed impact hotspots and levers relevant to the two methodologies. In parallel, Quantis assessed data availability and structure, identifying gaps and requirements for scaling footprinting across the portfolio.
Workshops with internal teams were used to clarify internal organization and data management practices, and to co-develop a practical roadmap for footprinting.
Results
The project helped the retailer build a clearer understanding of the Product Environmental Footprint and PEFCR Apparel & Footwear, as well as the practical implications of application. It provided visibility into the current state of data and organization and clarified what would be needed to progress toward portfolio-level footprinting.
This readiness assessment establishes a foundation for future decisions on whether to disclose results under the Product Environmental Footprint and represents an initial step toward using portfolio assessment to monitor and act on product environmental impacts.
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