Ban on Destruction of Unsold Clothes and Shoes Now Applicable

The EU ban on destruction of unsold clothes and shoes is now in application. This regulation prohibits producers, retailers, and other actors in the textile value chain from destroying unsold or returned textiles, requiring instead that they be donated, reused, or properly recycled. The measure is part of broader textile EPR and circular economy initiatives designed to reduce textile waste and promote product longevity. Businesses must ensure compliance with documentation, traceability, and reporting requirements related to unsold inventory management. This obligation extends producer responsibility beyond end-of-life to include product lifecycle and inventory management phases.