On 9 February 2026, the European Commission adopted new measures to stop the destruction of unsold clothing, accessories and footwear across the EU. In particular, these rules fall under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). As a result, the initiative supports sustainable fashion, reduces textile waste and promotes a stronger circular economy in Europe.
New EU measures to reduce textile waste
Specifically, the new rules encourage companies to prioritise reuse and recycling of textile products. Moreover, they aim to limit the environmental impact of fashion production. At the same time, the Commission wants to ensure fairer competition among businesses. Consequently, the textile sector can move faster toward circular fashion practices. Overall, these actions help strengthen sustainability and responsible production across the European market.
ESPR regulation: clearer rules for fashion companies
According to the new measures, companies may destroy unsold products only in specific cases. For example, this may happen for safety reasons or when goods are damaged. In addition, the Commission introduces a standard format for reporting discarded unsold products. Therefore, communication becomes clearer without extra administrative burdens.
Furthermore, the ESPR regulation, in force since July 2024, improves product sustainability in the EU. In particular, it promotes durability, recyclability, circularity and energy efficiency. Thanks to this transparency, consumers and institutions can better assess environmental impacts.
Environmental impact and EU timeline for the ban
Currently, between 4% and 9% of unsold textiles are destroyed each year in Europe. As a consequence, many garments never reach consumers. This waste generates about 5.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. In fact, this figure is close to Sweden’s total net emissions in 2021.
Looking ahead, the ban will first apply to large companies from 19 July 2026. Subsequently, medium-sized companies must comply starting in July 2030. Meanwhile, reporting obligations already apply to large firms and will later extend to medium-sized businesses. Ultimately, these measures respond to growing concerns about textile waste and the environmental impact of fast fashion.
AI Image
