Since 19 July, large companies in the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold clothing, accessories and footwear. Medium-sized companies will be subject to the same rules from 2030. The new requirements were introduced under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and aim to reduce waste and promote more efficient use of the raw materials, water and energy used to produce goods.
Companies must first seek to keep unsold products in use by selling them, including through discounts or alternative markets, donating them to charities, or sending them for repair, refurbishment and reuse. Destruction is permitted only in limited circumstances — for example, if products are damaged, unsafe, counterfeit or infringe intellectual property rights. In such cases, companies must provide supporting documentation and report annually on the products they have destroyed.
National authorities will monitor compliance and may impose fines on violators. Companies must keep relevant records for five years, while small and micro-enterprises are exempt from some of the requirements. According to the European Environment Agency, up to 594,000 tonnes of textiles are destroyed in Europe every year before they are even used. The ban is therefore one of the EU’s first practical measures towards a more circular and resource-efficient economy.
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