EU to ban destruction of unsold clothes and shoes from 19 July 2026
The European Union’s ban on the destruction of unsold apparel and footwear is set to take effect on 19 July 2026, marking a significant step toward reducing fashion waste and advancing circular economy practices. Under the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), large companies will no longer be permitted to destroy unsold clothing and shoes, encouraging brands to prioritize resale, repair, donation and recycling. The regulation addresses concerns about overproduction, with the EU estimating that between 4% and 9% of unsold textiles are destroyed before they are even used.
Beyond reducing waste, the regulation is expected to expand the availability of high-quality deadstock materials, creating new opportunities for emerging designers and small manufacturers producing limited collections. Platforms such as LVMH’s Nona Source, which redistributes surplus fabrics and leather from luxury brands, illustrate how unused materials can be reintegrated into the production cycle rather than discarded. As demand for circular sourcing grows, industry observers expect the new rules to accelerate investment in resale, material recovery and deadstock marketplaces, helping fashion companies reduce resource consumption while fostering more resilient and circular supply chains.
