New measures under the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to prevent the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing, accessories and footwear, will apply to large companies from July 19, 2026. Medium-sized companies are expected to follow the ban on destruction of the product groups in 2030. The Delegated and Implementing Acts will support businesses in complying with new requirements.
Adopted by the European Commission on February 9, 2026, the rules are designed to help cut waste, reduce environmental damage and create a level playing field for companies embracing sustainable business models, allowing them to reap the benefits of a more circular economy.
The rules on disclosure under the ESPR already apply to large companies and will also apply to medium-sized companies in 2030.
Every year in Europe, 4-9% of unsold textiles are destroyed before ever being worn
Each year in Europe, an estimated 4–9% of unsold textiles are destroyed without ever reaching consumers. This waste generates around 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions – almost equal to Sweden’s total net emissions in 2021.
In France alone, around €630 million worth of unsold products are destroyed each year. Online shopping also fuels the issue: in Germany, nearly 20 million returned items are discarded annually.
To help reduce this wasteful practice, the ESPR requires companies to disclose information on the unsold consumer products they discard as waste. It also introduces a ban on the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear.
What will change with new measures?
The Delegated and Implementing Acts adopted will support businesses in complying with these requirements by:
Clarifying derogations: The Delegated Act outlines specific and justified circumstances under which the destruction will be permitted, for instance, due to safety reasons or product damage. National authorities will oversee compliance.
Facilitating disclosure: The Implementing Act introduces a standardised format for businesses to disclose the volumes of unsold consumer goods they discard. This applies from February 2027, giving businesses sufficient time to adapt.
Instead of discarding stock, companies are encouraged to manage their stock more effectively, handle returns, and explore alternatives such as resale, remanufacturing, donations, or reuse.
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy said that the textile sector is leading the way in the transition to sustainability, but there are still challenges: “The numbers on waste show the need to act. With these new measures, the textile sector will be empowered to move towards sustainable and circular practices, and we can boost our competitiveness and reduce our dependencies.”
Fashion giants and luxury brands are among the groups most affected by the new regulations
Global fast fashion brands are expected to be among those most affected by the new regulation. For fashion giants built on high-volume production models, developing a new strategy aligned with the new rules is becoming essential to preserving brand value and maintaining a competitive edge.
