New rules for the textile industry come into force across the European Union (EU) on Sunday under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force in 2024.
The new rules apply specifically to unsold clothing and footwear, which can no longer be discarded or destroyed, as has often been the practice among large companies.
Instead, businesses must either donate the products, sell them at reduced prices, or find other sustainable ways to manage excess stock.
With the regulation, the EU is taking aim at the fast fashion industry in particular. It is estimated that between 4% and 9% of unsold textile products in the EU end up in landfills or are incinerated each year.
For now, the ban mainly affects large companies. Medium-sized businesses will be required to comply with the same rules by 2030. Companies that fail to meet the requirements may face fines.
Businesses affected by the regulation will have to turn to alternative ways of dealing with unsold goods, such as selling them at discounted prices through outlet stores, donating them, or repurposing them.
While destruction remains possible in limited cases, it is subject to strict conditions, including prioritising recycling and restricting the amount of merchandise that can be destroyed.
In a further effort to increase transparency, companies must also publish information about their unsold products on their websites, including the weight of discarded items and the reasons for their disposal.
