2026 Uniform Trends: From Circular Design to Digital Passports

Why 2026 Changes the Rules for Sustainable Company Uniforms

Regardless of the sector in which you operate, your company uniforms tell a story about your brand. In addition to showcasing your corporate identity and innovation, they are also a functional symbol of each employee’s trustworthiness, professionalism, and belonging. 

As we enter into 2026, that story is set to expand further, with workwear acting as evidence of your organisation’s environmental and social performance too. New European and UK policies are reshaping expectations for textiles, materials, and transparency, meaning that sustainable company uniforms will become even more central to both compliance and brand leadership.

At Jermyn Street Design (JSD), we help businesses translate evolving standards into meaningful, practical change. As pioneers in bespoke uniform design and ethical manufacturing, we guide clients through evolving frameworks and initiatives. 

In this article, we explain what these developments mean in real terms, exploring how ethical workwear can strengthen procurement strategies, turn compliance into a competitive advantage, and enhance everyday performance. We also discuss how partnering with a B Corp uniform supplier ensures that decisions made today set a positive precedent for 2026 and beyond.

The End of “Take–Make–Waste”: Policy Pressure Will Reward Ethical Workwear

For many years, conversations about sustainability were sidelined, with policy changes dismissed as background noise. However, that is no longer possible, thanks to policy pressure changing buying behaviour. 

The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) extends ecodesign principles to textiles, with rules on durability, repairability, recycled content, and recyclability. One of the most significant innovations introduced by the ESPR is the mandatory use of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for textiles sold into the EU market. These require transparent, traceable data about every garment throughout its lifecycle. In parallel, the UK is tightening the economics and transparency of end‑of‑life, through higher landfill tax and the upcoming Digital Waste Tracking Service, which make linear disposal more expensive and more visible.

These policies place ethical workwear at an advantage. When garments are designed for long use, repair, and eventual recovery, organisations face lower compliance risks and reduced waste fees. What was once seen as an optional upgrade has become a strategic necessity. At JSD, we help clients transform these requirements into operational benefits by designing sustainable company uniforms that are ready for circular systems and backed by clear data.

Digital Product Passports in 2026: Holding Sustainable Company Uniforms to a Higher Standard

Digital Product Passports are poised to transform the ethical workwear industry. Each passport functions as a concise biography for a garment, presented on a QR code, NFC tag, or printed label. It contains traceable information about materials, composition, origin, repairability, and recycling options. This is achieved by leaning on GS1 standards to route the right data to the right actor from a single scan, while coordination projects such as CIRPASS-2 provide blueprints and migration paths. The aim is to create clarity for every stakeholder who interacts with a garment throughout its life. 

A practical DPP for uniforms should include batch or item serialisation, fibre share with certified origins, chemical compliance declarations, repair instructions with authorised components, and end‑of‑life routing keyed to local infrastructure. Data access must be role‑based: a wearer sees care and repair; a recycler sees de‑trim instructions and polymer family; an auditor sees provenance. 

When this is implemented, DPP turns anecdotes into evidence. Repairs are logged automatically, laundry cycles and wear life become measurable, and at end‑of‑life sortation facilities use DPP data to send each item to the correct stream. DPP is the connective tissue that makes circular design operational, as the European Parliament’s research synthesis explains. 

How JSD Builds DPP Ready Garments

Every uniform we design incorporates detail that aligns with the new standards. From sustainable fabrics and craftsmanship to ethical manufacturing methods and care/maintenance instructions, we incorporate sustainability at every stage of the uniform lifecycle. By making this information consistent and accessible, we turn ethical workwear into a measurable asset rather than an abstract commitment.

Circular Design Becomes Operational: UK Infrastructure Meets EU Ambition

Circular design cannot succeed without the infrastructure to support it. In the UK, investment is accelerating rapidly. ACT UK has recently published a practical roadmap on how to establish the UK’s first Advanced Textile Sorting and Pre-processing (ATSP) facility, which will help accelerate the transition to textile circularity from 2026 onwards. This will be supported by technologies such as near-infrared (NIR) optical sorting, which can interface with DPP‑style identifiers, and domestically available textile-to-textile polyester recycling. 

Operationalising this is a supply‑chain exercise, the key to which is planning. Each programme requires rules around condition thresholds, identification requirements, and acceptance criteria. Your uniform partner should address depot take‑back collection, consolidation, graded sorting, confirmation that garment information remains scannable through wear, and routing to mechanical or chemical recycling depending on composition and contamination.

As part of our process, JSD sets out these frameworks and ensures they integrate with Digital Product Passports or equivalent identifiers. As a B Corp uniform supplier, we are committed to building closed-loop routes that are both operationally realistic and aligned with industry ambitions for circularity in ethical workwear. This provides certainty for procurement teams and consistent performance.

Ethical Workwear Materials to Investigate in 2026

Material selection is central to the performance and credibility of ethical workwear. Material innovation is no longer a trend; it is the engineering layer that determines durability, wearer comfort, and the credibility of circular claims. Below is a deeper, decision‑ready view that JSD uses when advising clients on fibre strategy and specification.

Recycled Polyester Beyond Bottles

While recycled polyester (rPET) has been a sustainable option for many years, in 2026 the centre of gravity is moving from bottle‑to‑fibre rPET to textile‑to‑textile systems. In fact, the Salvation Army Trading Company and Project Re:Claim have opened a polyester recycling plant in the UK that depolymerises polyester textiles and repolymerises them into new yarns. This not only preserves performance while closing the loop domestically, but also aligns with ESPR, which prioritises durability and recyclability.

Regenerated Nylon with Verified Feedstocks

Recycled nylon from industrial waste and recovered fishing gear continues to mature. Look for suppliers who can document polymer family and origin and who design trims that do not contaminate the stream. Batch‑level data should flow into the DPP so that sorters can route nylon garments to appropriate mechanical or chemical pathways.

Cellulosics: Organic Cotton and Modern Bamboo

Organic cotton reduces reliance on synthetic pesticides and can cut blue‑water demand when grown in the right regions. Ethical workwear performance improves markedly when organic cotton is blended with recycled polyester for strength and faster drying. While bamboo is a strong option, it needs careful language; most “bamboo” fabrics are bamboo viscose, which use chemical dissolution. Where breathability and hand‑feel are key, specify closed‑loop lyocell processes rather than conventional viscose, as lyocell uses a recoverable solvent system and offers clearer chemistry. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles points brands toward cleaner processing and safer chemistry as part of durability and circularity goals.

Water Repellent Materials without PFAS

Per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are facing restriction proposals in the EU because of their persistence and toxicity. The upcoming ECHA consultation signals a broad phase‑down that will affect textile finishing in sustainable company uniforms. PFAS-free durable water repellents will therefore become the expected standard. Verify performance via spray rating and hydrostatic head tests after repeated laundering, then record finish type and care guidance in the DPP so laundries can maintain repellency without over‑washing.

Fabric with Improved Colouration and Limited Microfibre Release

Textile production is estimated to be responsible for about 20% of global clean water pollution, mainly from the dyeing process. Alternatively, solution‑dyeing (dope‑dyeing) locks colour in at the polymer stage, reducing water, energy and dyestuff use while improving colourfastness. The EU policy drive on microplastics and ESPR’s durability objectives reinforce the need for fabrics that hold together in use and in wash. Tighter constructions, long‑staple yarns and controlled laundry protocols help reduce microfibre shedding.

Designing for Recycling and Long Wear

Material choice succeeds or fails with construction. Longevity is the most powerful sustainability tool, which is why we favour abrasion resistant weaves, mono-material shells/linings where possible, low elastane content, reinforcement for high-stress zones, and repair-friendly construction. These choices are validated with recognised tests such as ISO 12947 Martindale for abrasion, ISO 12945 for pilling and ISO 105 for colour fastness. Such decisions contribute directly to the performance of ethical workwear and reduce the frequency of replacement, which benefits both the environment and operational budgets. 

How JSD Applies Material Innovation

JSD builds tailored “materials roadmaps” for each client that balance circularity with real‑world duty cycles. For high wear sectors, we often specify mono polyester garments that integrate with UK recycling routes. For customer facing roles, we combine lyocell rich shirting with subtle reinforcement to extend wear life. For outerwear, we prioritise PFAS free finishes with documented spray‑rating retention after 20 industrial washes. These examples demonstrate what is possible when a B Corp uniform supplier applies technical detail to real operational needs. We also record material choices, repair instructions, and end‑of‑life routing inside the DPP so your sustainable company uniforms perform on day one and recover value at end‑of‑life.

Inclusion is Central to Sustainability: People‑Centred Design in Ethical Workwear

Sustainability in ethical workwear is not only about fibres and factories; it is also about designing for the people who wear the garments every day. The newest wave of inclusion focuses on gender‑inclusive blocks, wider size sets, menopause‑aware thermoregulation, and sensory‑considerate trims and labelling. These choices reduce fatigue, improve comfort and range of motion, and support retention across a diverse, multi‑generational workforce. UK regulator guidance on thermal comfort reinforces the point. Breathable, adjustable systems help manage heat stress and keep people working effectively.

To make inclusion measurable rather than rhetorical, the best uniform suppliers focus on objective data. At JSD, we run structured wearer trials that track mobility, comfort, pressure points and performance after laundering. Adoption rates and return rates provide further evidence of success. When combined with the right materials and responsible construction, inclusive design significantly increases wear life. This makes inclusive uniforms both a people centred choice and a sustainability advantage.

Procurement Playbook for 2026: Working with a B Corp Uniform Supplier

The strongest procurement briefs in 2026 will focus on measurable outcomes. Organisations are expected to demonstrate reduced waste, improved traceability, and stronger social responsibility. For example, aligning your uniform brief with the UK’s Digital Waste Tracking Service and landfill tax trajectory will demonstrate compliance and unnecessary cost avoidance. 

Working with a B Corp uniform supplier not only ensures that governance and ethics are independently verified, but streamlines the process. In line with our B Corp certification, JSD helps procurement teams integrate Digital Product Passport requirements, reverse logistics partners, and performance indicators into their specifications. Targets can include repair rates, capture rates, garment lifespan, and the percentage of items with scannable identifiers. When these factors are set at the contract stage, circular outcomes become more easily achievable.

Successful programmes also require support for depot teams and wearers. Scanning items, reporting repairs and returning garments to the correct route are behavioural processes. JSD integrates these requirements into training plans so programmes function reliably at scale.

How JSD Delivers

We apply these principles at every stage of the design process. Our sizing clinics, wearer trials and technical specifications ensure inclusive fit and robust performance. Our Digital Product Passport data models and logistics plans create clarity for every partner. Our transport case studies, including Great Western Railway and South Western Railway, show how sustainable company uniforms can support operational resilience and on brand presentation while meeting regulatory expectations. For a broader view of outcomes across sectors, see our case studies gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sustainable Company Uniforms and DPP

Q: What’s the simplest way to start in 2026?

A: Pilot one high‑volume category. Give it scannable IDs, set repair targets, and agree a named sorting and recycling route. Measure returns, repairs and capture rates for six months, then expand the model.

Q: Will this add cost?

A: There are setup costs for data and logistics, but programmes that last longer, are repaired more often and avoid landfill fees usually break even — and often save — over the contract term. UK waste policy and DPP data make those savings easier to evidence.

Q: Do we need a B Corp uniform supplier?

A: B Corp certification is a strong governance signal. What matters in practice is the ability to deliver: inclusive fit, ESPR‑aligned durability, DPP‑ready data, and proven circular partners.

Q: How does this help our people?

A: Better fit and breathable, durable fabrics reduce fatigue and improve confidence. Inclusive design combined with reliable supply and simpler returns makes everyday work easier — which is why adoption and wear life increase.

Q: Can JSD support multinational rollouts?

A: Yes. We design, manufacture, and manage distribution for brands across the UK and Europe, with uniform programmes built to meet EU policy shifts and local operational needs.

Designing for Durability, Dignity, and Data

Uniforms are shifting from consumables to long term assets. The introduction of Digital Product Passports, circular infrastructure and UK waste policy reinforces the need for transparency. Inclusion broadens the meaning of sustainability by placing people at the centre of design. 

Organisations that acknowledge these realities, and work with a B Corp uniform supplier who understands both design and data, will create sustainable company uniforms that perform in the field and meet regulatory expectations with confidence.

If 2025 was a year for preparation, 2026 is the time to demonstrate action. Start with a pilot, commit to data, and allow results to guide expansion. When businesses take this approach, ethical workwear becomes a catalyst for progress and a clear expression of brand responsibility.

To explore how JSD can design and deliver a future-ready uniform programme for your organisation, speak with our team today and take the first step towards a more sustainable, inclusive and circular approach to workwear.