EU ESPR Unsold Goods Destruction Ban July 2026: What US Fashion Brands Need to Know
From July 19, 2026, large textile companies operating in the EU are prohibited from destroying unsold clothing, footwear, and accessories. The ban applies to companies with over 250 employees or more than €50 million in annual turnover, and covers destruction through incineration, landfill, shredding, or rendering goods permanently unusable. Brands with EU inventory must have documented resale, donation, or certified recycling protocols in place before the deadline.