The EU Will Ban the Destruction of Unsold Clothing and Footwear: When Will the New Rules Take Effect?
17 July 16:14
New rules are set to take effect in the European Union, aimed at putting an end to the practice of destroying unsold clothing, accessories, and footwear. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing WWD.
Starting July 19, 2026, large companies will no longer be able to simply dispose of unsold inventory. Instead, businesses must find alternative ways to use these items and report on unsold products that ultimately end up as waste.
The European Commission believes this will help reduce waste, minimize environmental harm, and stimulate the development of a circular economy.
Why the EU Is Banning the Destruction of Unsold Clothing
The European Commission has adopted the necessary measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to help companies comply with the new requirements.
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It is estimated that every year in Europe, between 4% and 9% of unsold textile products are destroyed before they are ever used by consumers.
This results in approximately 5.6 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions—nearly as much as Sweden’s total net emissions in 2021.
That is why the ESPR Regulation sets out two key requirements:
- companies must disclose information about unsold consumer goods that they dispose of as waste;
- a ban is being introduced on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories, and footwear.
When the new rules take effect
The ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, accessories, and footwear will apply:
- for large companies—starting July 19, 2026;
- for medium-sized companies—starting in 2030.
At the same time, requirements for mandatory disclosure of information about unsold goods are already in effect for large companies, and a standardized format for such reporting will take effect in February 2027. For medium-sized companies, these rules will also take effect in 2030.
In which cases will it still be possible to destroy goods?
The new rules provide for certain exceptions.
In particular, the destruction of products will be permitted in cases where it is related to safety requirements or where the goods have been damaged. Compliance with these rules will be monitored by the national authorities of EU member states.
What Companies Are Advised to Do Instead of Disposal
The European Commission recommends that businesses manage their inventory and product returns more effectively.
Instead of destroying unsold goods, companies are encouraged to:
- resell the products;
- refurbish or repurpose them;
- donate them to charity;
- reuse the goods.
The Importance of the Initiative
According to Jessica Rosvall, European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Sustainability, and a Competitive Circular Economy, the textile industry is already moving toward more sustainable production models, but the scale of waste indicates the need for further changes.
The European Commission also notes that in France alone, approximately 630 million euros worth of unsold goods are destroyed each year, while in Germany, due to the rapid growth of online retail, nearly 20 million items returned by customers are disposed of annually.
The new rules are expected to help make products on the EU market more durable, reusable, and recyclable, as well as to promote the development of a circular economy.
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