A closer look at the evidence, testing and documentation brands need to secure Refashion’s durability bonus in France.
First published: August 2026
France’s Refashion scheme is one of the clearest examples of how eco-modulation can convert textile sustainability performance into a direct financial outcome. For brands placing clothing, household linen, and footwear on the French market, the durability bonus is especially important because it rewards products that meet specific physical performance thresholds verified through laboratory testing.
For wider EU economies, the revised EU Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) requires all Member States to establish textile and footwear extended producer responsibility schemes under common rules, and it provides for eco-modulated fees linked to sustainability criteria such as durability and recyclability. In that context, Refashion’s durability bonus can be a practical preview of the kind of product-level evidence brands may increasingly need across Europe.
Overview of Refashion’s durability bonus in France
Refashion’s eco-modulation system includes potential bonuses for durability, environmental certifications, and the incorporation of recycled raw materials, alongside mandatory recyclability penalties. The durability bonus is intended to reward the physical durability of products that meet the required test conditions and achieve the applicable thresholds for their category.
For brands, that makes durability an opportunity around cost-management and product-quality. For the 2026 cycle, Refashion’s process is structured so that references are pre-declared and supported in 2026, quantities are declared in 2027, and bonuses or penalties are then applied from the second quarter of 2027 after any checks or audits, where applicable.
The scheme is reference-based, which means brands must think at a SKU or style level rather than relying on general product-family claims. Refashion states that one product reference corresponds to one style, one model, or one commercial designation, and the supporting evidence must match that reference precisely.
Products that can be qualified under France’s Refashion scheme
Refashion’s guide states that the durability bonus applies to defined product categories across clothing, household linen, and footwear. It also states that, from 1 January 2025, baby clothing and baby footwear are included for the durability bonus, subject to the relevant scope and exclusions in the classification system. Eligibility is therefore broad, but it is not universal in practice. Brands still need to confirm whether a given product line is included and which tests and thresholds apply to that product family.
That is why a reliable testing partner who is well-versed with these requirements and has the product expertise is so important. A T-shirt, sock, towel, or pair of shoes may all fall under the same eco-modulation framework, but the exact testing pathway is not identical. Quality teams need to map each product type to the correct Refashion category, understand the required standards, and plan testing on the correct finished products and, where permitted, the relevant raw materials.
Contact us if you have any testing enquiries related to Refashion. Our Refashion and textiles experts would be happy to support you.
Conducting product testing for Refashion durability bonus
Refashion explains that the durability bonus is based on physical durability assessed through laboratory testing, and that the supporting summary must be used to identify the testing conditions, eligible and non-eligible products, required tests, exclusive standards, and performance thresholds or maximum limits.
To qualify, the tested product must meet the thresholds or remain within the specified limits for all criteria applicable to that product type.
Brands cannot assume that partial compliance is sufficient. If one criterion fails, the product is not compliant for the durability bonus. Refashion also notes that, in the event of non-conformity, only re-tests on the finished product are accepted. That can have cost and timing implications, especially where products are close to shipment or already moving into market.
In practice, many brands search for “how to qualify” when what they really need is a testing-readiness plan built around their success. A strong readiness plan should include product categorisation, method mapping, sample booking, report review, and document-naming controls before any pre-declaration is filed. If done right, a brand is well-equipped to achieve the Refashion bonus and avoid penalties.
Looking for Refashion durability bonus? Contact us to start your durability testing plan.
Required documents/evidence for claiming Refashion durability bonus
For each reference, Refashion requires test reports containing the information listed in the summary document, including the name or code of the tested reference, so that the achieved thresholds or respected limits can be verified. Refashion also states that the style name on the supporting document must begin with the code or wording of the reference for which the bonus is requested; otherwise, the request cannot be processed and will be rejected.
It is important to note that even valid tests can become unusable if the document trail does not clearly connect the report to the commercial reference under declaration.
For multi-colour references in products, Refashion does not necessarily require separate supporting documents for every colour, but brands must still declare all relevant reference-colours and submit photos of all declared colours at the same time as the test reports. This means commercial and technical teams need to work together.
When must brands file for Refashion’s durability bonus?
The durability bonus follows Refashion’s three-phase process for the 2026 campaign.
In phase one, during 2026, brands pre-declare references and submit supporting documents for bonuses. Supporting documents must be submitted by 30 November 2026, although Refashion recommends monthly submissions and at least quarterly filing to avoid end-of-year bottlenecks.
In phase two, during 2027, brands declare the quantities placed on the market for the validated references.
In phase three, Refashion pays bonuses or invoices penalties from the second quarter of 2027 after checks or audits, where applicable.
This timetable has a direct implication for testing strategy. If brands wait until autumn to start durability testing, they are likely to compress sampling, laboratory lead times, internal approvals, and document handling into the riskiest period of the year. Early planning is therefore a financial control measure, not only a compliance habit.
The importance of conducting durability testing by an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory
Refashion is explicit that, to justify conformity, tests must be carried out by an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory. It also states that the accreditation scope should ideally cover all tests carried out according to the standards required for eco-modulation validation.
For 2026, Refashion allows an exception under which a minimum accredited test coverage rate of at least 60% is accepted, calculated on the basis of the total number of tests required per product family.
This requirement is central to qualification. Brands that use the wrong laboratory, incomplete accreditation coverage, or poorly aligned test methods risk losing time and invalidating otherwise strong product claims.
For brands with wide seasonal ranges, global sourcing, and compressed product calendars, that requirement can become operationally difficult. A capable testing partner must be able to align the programme with Refashion’s specified methods, manage sample logistics, and issue reports in a format that supports declaration.
Pairing the product sustainability expertise from Eurofins Sustainability Services with the global network of ISO 17025-accredited laboratories within the Eurofins Softlines & Hardlines global network, we will help you provide a valid test report to claim the Refashion’s bonus confidently. Contact us now.
How Eurofins Sustainability Services and the textiles expertise within Eurofins Softlines & Hardlines support you to claim Refashion’s durability bonus?
Brands applying for rebates through France’s Refashion scheme need accredited, high-capacity testing partners with a clear understanding of the durability criteria that determine fee reductions.
Eurofins Sustainability Services offers access to a global network of ISO 17025-accredited laboratories within the Eurofins Softlines & Hardlines network of companies across North America, Europe, China, India, Vietnam, and the wider Asia region, delivering comprehensive coverage for all Refashion durability testing categories.
Our testing capacity is built to support high seasonal volumes and fast-fashion products, helping brands with large collections meet declaration deadlines efficiently. Over the past several years, we have successfully helped fashion brands secure rebates worth millions of euros, transforming a perceived regulatory expense into a tangible financial benefit.
Looking for an eco-modulation rebate in France? Contact us now! We have proven expertise and capabilities to help you succeed.
