The European Commission has introduced a ban on destroying unsold clothes, footwear and accessories. The measures fall under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and aim to reduce textile waste while encouraging more sustainable production and retail practices.
Each year in Europe, companies destroy an estimated 4–9% of unsold textiles before anyone wears them. This waste produces about 5.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, a figure close to Sweden’s total net emissions in 2021.
The new rules require companies to report how many unsold consumer products they discard as waste. The measures also introduce a ban on destroying unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear.
To support compliance, the Commission adopted delegated and implementing acts. These measures clarify limited situations where companies may destroy unsold products. Examples include safety concerns or cases where products are damaged. National authorities will monitor compliance with the rules.
The measures also introduce a standardized reporting format. Businesses will use it to disclose the volume of unsold products they discard. The disclosure requirement takes effect in February 2027 and gives companies time to adapt.
Instead of discarding excess stock, companies are encouraged to improve inventory management and product returns. They can also explore alternatives such as resale, remanufacturing, donations or reuse.
The ban will apply to large companies starting July 19, 2026. Medium-sized companies will follow the rules in 2030. Disclosure requirements under the ESPR already apply to large companies and will extend to medium-sized companies in the same year.
Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, said the textile sector plays an important role in advancing sustainable and circular practices while strengthening competitiveness.
The initiative forms part of the EU’s broader strategy to reduce waste, improve product durability and support a circular economy across the region.
