BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Union has banned large companies from destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories, marking a significant step in its efforts to cut textile waste, reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
The new rules, which took effect on July 19, require large companies operating within the EU to prioritise keeping unsold products in circulation instead of disposing of them, according to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment.
Medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same regulations from 2030, while small and micro-enterprises are exempt.
The measure forms part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), legislation designed to make products sold across the European Union more durable, repairable, recyclable and resource-efficient.
The regulation seeks to eliminate the waste of valuable goods and the natural resources used in their production.
According to the European Commission, destroying new and usable products wastes raw materials, water, energy and labour while generating avoidable greenhouse gas emissions through disposal.
The EU says the move will encourage businesses to adopt more sustainable practices by extending the lifespan of products through reuse, repair and resale.
Companies required to prioritise reuse
Under the new rules, companies must first attempt to sell unsold goods, including through discounts or alternative markets, before considering disposal.
Businesses are also encouraged to donate products to charities and social enterprises or prepare them for reuse through repair, refurbishment or remanufacturing.
Destruction of unsold clothing and footwear will only be permitted under limited circumstances and must comply with the EU’s waste treatment hierarchy, with recycling taking priority wherever possible.
Limited exemptions
The regulation allows companies to destroy unsold products only under specific conditions.
These include situations where products are unsafe or damaged, counterfeit, infringe intellectual property rights, or have been rejected by charities or donation programmes.
Companies relying on these exemptions will be required to provide supporting evidence, including documentation or test results, and publish annual reports detailing the products they have discarded.
Compliance and enforcement
National authorities across EU member states will monitor compliance with the new rules and have the power to impose penalties on businesses that fail to comply.
Companies must retain records for at least five years to facilitate inspections.
To minimise administrative burdens, businesses will use existing customs and logistics reporting systems when submitting compliance information.
Tackling Europe’s growing textile waste
The ban is among the first major measures introduced under the ESPR since it came into force in 2024.
Textiles were selected as the first product category because of the industry’s significant environmental impact, particularly the widespread destruction of unsold merchandise.
According to the European Environment Agency, between 4 and 9 per cent of all textile products placed on the European market are destroyed before ever being used.
This amounts to an estimated 264,000 to 594,000 tonnes of textiles discarded annually.
The European Commission said the rules were developed following consultations with businesses, non-governmental organisations and industry experts to ensure they are practical while avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens.