Every year in Europe, an estimated 4-9% of unsold textiles are destroyed before ever being worn. This waste generates around 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions – almost equal to Sweden’s total net emissions in 2021.
To help reduce this wasteful practice, the ESPR requires companies to disclose information on the unsold consumer products they discard as waste. It also introduces a ban on the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear.

The Delegated and Implementing Acts adopted on 9 February 2026 will support businesses in complying with these requirements by:

• Clarifying derogations
• Facilitating disclosure

Instead of discarding stock, companies are encouraged to manage their stock more effectively, handle returns, and explore alternatives such as resale, remanufacturing, donations, or reuse.

The ban on destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear and the derogations will apply to large companies from 19 July 2026. Medium-sized companies are expected to follow in 2030. The rules on disclosure under the ESPR already apply to large companies and will also apply to medium-sized companies in 2030.

For latest information on the Delegated and Implementing Acts, including deadlines, refer to the official European Commission webpage.

Links to the legal texts:

• Delegated regulation - EU - 2026/296 - EN - EUR-Lex
• Implementing regulation - EU - 2026/2 - EN - EUR-Lex
   

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