European Union Bans Destruction of Unsold Clothing and Targets Fast Fashion Model. FEB 10, 2026

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European Union Bans Destruction of Unsold Clothing and Targets Fast Fashion Model

By TGAN Editorial Staff – Environment & Economy

The European Union has taken an important step in environmental policy applied to consumption: from 2026, large fashion companies will no longer be able to destroy new clothing, footwear, and accessories that have not been sold. This measure is part of the implementation of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), one of the pillars of the European Green Deal.

The decision was officially adopted by the European Commission on February 9, 2026, and aims to reduce waste and pressure the textile industry—one of the most polluting in the world—to change its production model.

What changes in practice

Under the new rules:

The destruction of unsold clothing, footwear, and accessories is prohibited, except in specific cases such as damage, safety risks, or violation of intellectual property.

Large companies will have to comply with the ban starting July 19, 2026.

Medium-sized companies will have to comply by 2030.

Companies will be required to officially report how many products they discard and why, following a standardized European format.

The goal is to prevent a silent but common practice in the sector: destroying new stock to avoid discounts and preserve the image of exclusivity of brands.

The size of the problem

According to data from the European Commission itself, between 4% and 9% of unsold textiles in Europe are destroyed before they are even used.

This waste generates approximately 5.6 million tons of CO₂ per year, a volume close to Sweden's total net emissions in 2021.

Furthermore, clothing consumption in Europe also has a significant climate impact: textile products generate hundreds of kilograms of emissions per person annually, and most discarded items end up incinerated or in landfills.

More than just waste: a shift in the economic model

European authorities state that the intention is not only to prevent the burning of clothes, but to change the production logic of fashion.

The regulation demands greater circularity: more durable, repairable, and recyclable products.

In practice, this should pressure companies to:

Better predict demand (produce less surplus),

Improve returns management,

Expand resale and reuse,

Invest in durable design.

Experts point out that the legislation directly affects the fast fashion model, based on large volumes, low prices, and short-lived collections.

The next step: tracing the origin of clothing

The European Union is also working on the so-called Digital Product Passport, a system that should gather data on materials, origin, environmental impact, and the production chain of items sold in the bloc.

The goal is to extend environmental responsibility beyond the European point of sale—reaching countries where production occurs, such as Turkey, Vietnam, India, or Morocco, the main suppliers to the European market.

The challenge will be enforcement.

Despite the ambition, the impact will depend on practical application. Control will fall to the national authorities of each member country, responsible for monitoring reports and applying sanctions.

For environmentalists, the rule could become a global landmark if well implemented: the European Union is the world's largest importer of clothing, and European regulations often end up defining international industrial standards.

What this means for consumers

In the medium term, experts expect noticeable changes:

Fewer mass sales,

More durable clothing,

Expansion of the second-hand market,

Possible price increases for disposable items.

The logic is simple: if destroying stock is no longer allowed, overproduction ceases to be a good business.

Conclusion

The new legislation does not eliminate fast fashion immediately, but it alters a central incentive of the system: overproducing and discarding the surplus.

Combined with effective traceability and enforcement, the rule could transform not only clothing disposal in Europe but also how clothing is produced worldwide.

The Green Amazon News – International

This text was compiled using public data, scientific reports, and information from meteorological institutions.

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