Large textile companies operating in the European Union will be barred from destroying unsold and returned clothing, footwear, and accessories starting 19 July 2026. The regulation also covers damaged or defective goods only where they cannot be reused or reconditioned, with exemptions remaining for hazardous or contaminated items.
The ban will extend to medium-sized enterprises from 2030, while smaller businesses face a later implementation timeline.
The measure targets a significant source of waste: up to 9% of textiles placed on the European market are destroyed before use, amounting to as much as 594,000 tonnes annually. The practice generates an estimated 5.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. The problem is compounded by online fashion return rates averaging around 20%, leaving brands with large volumes of stock that previously might have been discarded.