EU moves to stop destruction of unsold fashion products from 2026
The European Union is taking another step toward reducing textile waste under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). New measures adopted by the European Commission on February 19, 2026, will ban the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories, and footwear by large companies starting from July 19, 2026. Medium-sized companies are expected to follow the same rules from 2030.
The regulation targets one of the fashion industry’s long-standing problems — destroying unsold products instead of finding ways to reuse or recover them.
Every year in Europe, an estimated 4–9% of textiles are destroyed before ever being worn. The practice is responsible for around 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions annually, close to Sweden’s total net emissions recorded in 2021.
The issue is especially visible in large retail markets. In France, unsold goods worth nearly €630 million are destroyed every year. Germany also faces growing pressure from online shopping returns, with almost 20 million returned items reportedly discarded each year.
Under the ESPR, companies will now have to disclose how much unsold consumer product stock they discard as waste. Large companies are already subject to disclosure requirements, while medium-sized businesses will come under the same rules from 2030.
To support implementation, the European Commission has adopted both Delegated and Implementing Acts.
The Delegated Act explains the situations where destruction of products may still be allowed. These include cases linked to safety risks or severe product damage. National authorities will monitor compliance with these exceptions.
The Implementing Act introduces a standard reporting format for businesses to declare the volume of unsold goods they discard. The disclosure system will apply from February 2027, giving companies time to adjust their internal reporting and inventory systems.
The EU is also encouraging brands and retailers to rethink how they handle excess inventory. Instead of destroying products, businesses are expected to improve stock management and expand alternatives such as resale, reuse, donations, repair, or remanufacturing.
Jessika Roswall said the textile sector still faces major challenges despite progress toward sustainability. She noted that the scale of textile waste shows why stronger action is needed and added that the new measures are intended to support more circular business practices while strengthening competitiveness.
The new rules are expected to place significant pressure on global fast fashion companies and luxury brands that rely heavily on large-scale production cycles. Many brands may now need to redesign inventory strategies, return management systems, and end-of-season sales models to avoid financial losses and regulatory risks.
For the textile and apparel industry, the regulation signals a broader shift toward accountability in how products are produced, sold, and managed after they remain unsold.
