The Role of Wearable Technology in Sustainable Fashion: Legal and Policy Implications for Environmental Compliance in England and Wales

Abstract

Wearable technology is rapidly transforming the fashion sector, yet environmental law in England and Wales has not kept pace with the emergence of hybrid textile–electronic products. This dissertation examines how current UK environmental and waste regulations—particularly the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013—fail to accommodate the material complexity, lifecycle impacts, and disposal challenges of wearable technologies. As the dissertation notes, “wearable technology now operates in a legislative void, where legal responsibilities are limited, inconsistent or absent” (para. 1.1.5). This regulatory gap contributes to misclassification, inadequate producer accountability, and increased e‑waste, undermining national sustainability and circular economy goals.

To analyse these shortcomings, the study applies environmental principles such as Polluter Pays and the Precautionary Principle, alongside regulatory theories including responsive regulation and the pacing problem. The research also employs a functional comparative method to evaluate international models. Germany’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) offer more coherent frameworks that integrate lifecycle responsibility, eco‑design, and mandatory sustainability reporting. As highlighted in the dissertation, France’s eco‑modulated EPR fees and medical device regulation demonstrate how hybrid wearables can be effectively classified and governed (para. 4.2.6).

Two case studies—Turning Over Pyjama in the UK and the Chronolife Smart Vest in France—illustrate the practical consequences of regulatory ambiguity. The UK example reveals fragmented oversight and unclear compliance pathways, while the French model shows how legal clarity can support innovation, safety, and environmental stewardship.

The dissertation concludes that England and Wales require targeted reforms to regulate wearable technology effectively. These include establishing a legal definition for hybrid products, implementing EPR tailored to wearables, mandating ESG disclosure, and introducing eco‑design requirements. Without such reforms, the UK risks continued regulatory fragmentation, environmental harm, and barriers to sustainable innovation. With them, the UK can align wearable technology with circular economy principles and future‑proof its environmental governance.