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The EU is set to forbid brands from destroying clothes and shoes, starting on 19 July 2026.
Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, aimed at reducing waste and addressing unsustainable practices within fashion, big brands will no longer be permitted to destroy unsold clothing, footwear and accessories, which big companies currently often do, to protect their brand image or as a hedge against excess inventory that did not sell.
From 19 July 2026, luxury and other big brands will be required to either reuse, recycle, resell (at a discount) or donate their leftover stock. The same requirements will apply to mid-size companies from 2030. Small businesses are exempt from the ban. Besides this ban, companies will also have to disclose just how much of this leftover stock they destroy (or not).
This rule aims at curbing waste from textiles, as well as reducing the large amount of waste the fashion industry generates each year.
The latest guidelines are intended to lessen the amount of textile-related waste produced by the fashion sector. Each year, thousands of pieces of clothing are made but end up never being sold. Estimates in reports suggest that between 4% - 9% of unsold textiles produced in Europe are disposed of prior to being worn; this creates a huge amount of CO₂ emissions and ultimately contributes to an adverse effect on our environment.
The fashion world runs on constant releases (season and pre-season) and creates the perception of "must-haves" through fast changing trends. This often leads to overpurchasing and large volumes of unsold product. The new regulations were created to reduce textile waste and encourage clothing to retain its value longer, rather than being treated as disposable.
References:
European Commission Official Announcement
