New EU Rules to Stop Destruction of Unsold Clothes and Shoes
On 9 February 2026, the European Commission adopted new measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to prevent the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear. The goal is to cut waste, reduce environmental damage, and create a level playing field for companies adopting more sustainable and circular business models.
Every year in Europe, an estimated 4–9% of unsold textiles are destroyed before ever being worn, generating around 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions, nearly equivalent to Sweden’s total net emissions in 2021. To tackle this, the ESPR requires companies to disclose information on unsold consumer products they discard as waste and introduces a ban on the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear.
The new Delegated and Implementing Acts clarify when destruction may still be allowed (for example, for safety reasons or damaged products) and establish a standardised format for companies to report volumes of discarded unsold consumer goods, with disclosure obligations applying from February 2027. The ban on destruction and related derogations will apply to large companies from 19 July 2026, with medium‑sized companies expected to follow in 2030.
These measures are part of the EU’s broader effort to make textiles more durable, reusable and recyclable, while improving stock management, handling returns more efficiently, and prioritising resale, remanufacturing, donation and reuse over destruction.
Source: European Commission – “New EU rules to stop destruction of unsold clothes and shoes”, 9 February 2026.
