EU confirms ban on destruction of unsold footwear - footwearbiz: Leadi

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EU confirms ban on destruction of unsold footwear

16/02/2026
EU confirms ban on destruction of unsold footwear
The European Union has adopted a ban on the destruction of unsold clothing and footwear under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, part of its wider push to improve product sustainability and reduce waste.

The prohibition will apply to large companies from July 19, 2026, and to medium sized companies from July 19, 2030. Micro and small enterprises are exempt. Companies will also have to disclose how many unsold products they discard and explain the reasons.

EU estimates indicate that between 4% and 9% of unsold textiles are destroyed each year, linked to around 5.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Separate estimates suggest that between 264,000 and 594,000 tonnes of unsold or returned textiles are discarded annually in Europe.

The rules are intended to encourage brands to find alternatives such as resale, donation, repair or recycling. They will apply to all relevant products placed on the EU market, including footwear supplied by companies based outside the EU.

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