Unsold clothes and shoes : ban on destruction enters into application under the ESPR

The measure prohibiting large companies across Europe from destroying unsold clothing and footwear will come into effect on 19/07/2026 under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Medium-sized companies will be subject to the same rules from 2030, declares the Commission's DG ENVI on 17/07.

According to the European Environment Agency, "an estimated 4-9% of all textile products put on the market in Europe are destroyed before use, amounting to between 264,000 and 594,000 tonnes of textiles destroyed each year".

Under the new rules :
• "Companies have to prioritise keeping products in use by selling them (including through discounts or alternative markets), donating them to charities or social enterprises, or preparing them for reuse (repairing, refurbishing or…