2026-07-19
EU ban on destroying unsold clothes and footwear now applies
From 19 July 2026, large companies are prohibited under the ESPR from destroying unsold clothes, accessories and footwear. It is a separate ecodesign obligation from the textiles Digital Product Passport, and it reaches non-EU brands that sell into the EU.
Not every ESPR milestone is a Digital Product Passport milestone, but this one matters to the same companies. From 19 July 2026, the EU prohibition on destroying unsold clothes, clothing accessories and footwear enters into application for large companies, under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781). The prohibition is subject to limited derogations, including specified cases involving safety, product damage that cannot be repaired cost-effectively, counterfeit or intellectual-property-infringing goods, and unsuccessful donation.
Per the Commission's announcement, the measure aims to prevent the waste of valuable products and the resources used to make them. Medium-sized companies must comply from 19 July 2030. Micro and small enterprises are generally exempt from both the prohibition and the related disclosure obligations, although they cannot be used to circumvent the rules.
How it relates to the DPP
It is a separate obligation. The destruction ban is an ecodesign measure and does not itself require a passport. The textiles Digital Product Passport is a distinct track that will arrive through the ESPR textiles delegated act, still in preparation. We flag the ban here because it lands under the same regulation, on the same day the central DPP registry reached its deadline, and it hits the same audience.
Why importers and non-EU brands should care
The ban applies to economic operators that destroy unsold products covered by the rules. For a fashion or footwear brand based outside the EU, the practical compliance responsibility will usually sit with the EU economic operator that holds or disposes of the unsold stock, such as an importer, distributor or EU group entity. Non-EU brands should therefore ensure that their EU stock-management and disposal arrangements comply, including the conditions and evidence required when relying on a permitted derogation.
What to do now
- If you are a large economic operator handling unsold clothing or footwear in the EU, review your returns, overstock and end-of-line disposal practices against the ban, and document any reliance on a permitted derogation.
- Track the separate textiles DPP timeline on the textiles sector page and the delegated-acts tracker.
Primary source: European Commission, ban on destruction of unsold clothes and shoes enters into application.
Frequently asked questions
Who does the EU unsold-textiles destruction ban apply to?
From 19 July 2026, the prohibition applies to large economic operators. Medium-sized enterprises must comply from 19 July 2030. Micro and small enterprises are generally exempt from both the prohibition and the related disclosure obligations, although anti-circumvention rules apply. For non-EU brands, the relevant compliance responsibility will normally sit with the EU economic operator that holds or disposes of the unsold stock.
Does the textiles destruction ban require a Digital Product Passport?
No. The destruction ban is a separate ecodesign obligation under the ESPR and does not itself create a DPP requirement. The textiles Digital Product Passport will come through the ESPR textiles delegated act, which is still in preparation.