As of 19 July 2026, new rules are in force across the European Union prohibiting large companies from destroying unsold clothing, fashion accessories, and footwear. The measure is part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and represents one of the EU's first concrete steps to reduce textile waste and promote a circular economy.
The new rules apply to large enterprises from 19 July 2026, while medium-sized enterprises will be required to comply from 2030. The objective is to ensure that valuable products do not end up in incinerators or landfills but remain in circulation for as long as possible through sale, reuse, or recycling.
Millions of Clothing Items Never Reach Consumers
The European Commission estimates that 4–9% of unsold textiles in Europe are destroyed every year before anyone ever wears them. This waste generates approximately 5.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, while also wasting the raw materials, water, energy, and labour invested in manufacturing these products.
The Commission also points out that the problem is exacerbated by the growth of online shopping and the high volume of returned orders. For example, around 20 million returned products are discarded each year in Germany, while in France, unsold goods worth approximately €630 million are destroyed annually.
Priority Will Be Given to Sale, Donation, or Repair
The new legislation requires companies to prioritise solutions that keep products in circulation. Companies should:
- sell unsold clothing and footwear, including through clearance sales or alternative sales channels,
- donate them to charities or social enterprises,
- prepare them for reuse, for example through repair, refurbishment, or reconditioning.
The destruction of products will only be permitted in exceptional cases, for example where they pose a safety risk or are irreparably damaged. Even in such cases, companies will be required to follow the waste hierarchy, which prioritises recycling over disposal.
Companies Will Be Required to Disclose Data on Discarded Goods
The new rules also introduce greater transparency. Companies will be required to disclose information on the quantity of unsold consumer products that they discard as waste. From February 2027, a harmonised reporting format will apply for this purpose, making compliance easier while providing consumers with a clearer picture of how companies manage unsold goods.
Part of the EU's Broader Strategy
The ban is one of the first measures introduced under the ESPR, which entered into force in July 2024. Its objective is to improve the sustainability of products placed on the EU market—from greater durability and repairability to improved recyclability and more efficient use of resources.
The European Commission expects the new rules to contribute not only to reducing waste and emissions but also to strengthening the competitiveness of the European textile sector and advancing the circular economy.
We also covered a summary of the ESPR Regulation in our blog here: https://www.naturpack.sk/blog/podrobnejsi-pohlad-na-nariadenie-o-ekodizajne/
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_26_1646
