EU Bans Large Companies from Destroying Unsold Apparel — From 19 July
ESPR Regulation 2024/1781 bans the destruction of unsold apparel and footwear for large companies from 19 July 2026. Large company threshold: 250+ employees or €50M+ turnover. SMEs have a four-year exemption. US fashion brands with EU warehousing need stock disposal policy reviews now.
EU Digital Product Passport Registry – What Fashion Brands Must Have Operational by July 2026
The EU’s ESPR framework requires a Digital Product Passport registry to be operational by July 2026, starting with a unique identifier for every product. Full textile data, including material composition, recycled content, carbon footprint and supply chain origin, follows via delegated acts from 2027. The obligation follows the product across every sales channel.
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.