The textile industry´s evolution, driven by advancements in microelectronics, biotechnology and synthetic fiber production, has intensified environmental concerns, particularly with fast fashion´s reliance on non-biodegradable materials. The pursuit of degradable textiles is impeded by unclear definitions and limitations in current testing standards, which are primarily designed for plastics and do not adequately address the degradability specific to textiles. Textile degradation occurs through physical and biological (biodegradation) processes, in which the complex organic compounds are broken into simpler ones, in anaerobic and aerobic environments. Even though plastic degradation standards have been modified for textiles, variations in test settings and durations pose difficulties, and further work is needed to increase the precision of textile biodegradation assessments. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the degradation process and the associated testing methods. Additionally, within the scope of the be@t project, an investigation was conducted to assess the degradability of cotton, lyocell and polyester fibers - representing a natural, regenerated, and synthetic fibers, respectively - under laboratory simulated composting conditions. The study utilized standards intended for plastics, with necessary modifications to accommodate textile testing.