Feb 9, 2026, 3:43 p.mFeb 9, 2026, 3:43 p.m
From July 19th, large fashion companies in the EU will only be allowed to destroy unsold clothing and shoes under very specific conditions. There are exceptions for damaged goods, for example.
The rule will apply to medium-sized companies from 2030, as the EU Commission announced. In addition, from 2030, medium-sized companies will have to disclose information about unsold consumer goods that they dispose of. Large companies already have to do this.
According to the Brussels authority, the guidelines would encourage companies to manage their inventory more efficiently, handle returns better and explore alternatives such as resale, remanufacturing, donation or reuse – rather than destroying stock.
Companies should be encouraged to handle returns better.Image: Shutterstock
The rules are intended to help reduce waste, reduce environmental damage and create a level playing field for companies that pursue sustainable business models, it said.
The background is that, according to the Commission, an estimated 4 to 9 percent of unsold textiles are destroyed every year in Europe alone before they have even been worn. This waste caused around 5.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is almost equivalent to Sweden’s entire net emissions in 2021. In German online retail alone, almost 20 million returned items are disposed of every year. (hkl/sda/awp/dpa)