EU bans the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing, accessories and footwear

6 hours ago

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 rules aim to cut waste, reduce environmental damage, and support sustainable business models by promoting a circular economy.
An estimated 4-9% of unsold textiles in Europe are destroyed annually, generating 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions.
Companies must disclose discarded unsold consumer products, and a ban on destroying unsold apparel and footwear is introduced.
Derogations allow destruction for safety or product damage reasons, overseen by national authorities.
A standardized disclosure format for discarded unsold goods will be implemented by February 2027.
Large companies must comply with the destruction ban by July 2026, while medium-sized companies follow by 2030.
The textile sector is encouraged to adopt sustainable practices like resale, remanufacturing, donations, or reuse.
The ESPR aims to make EU products more durable, reusable, and recyclable, enhancing efficiency and circularity.

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