From 2026, no more destruction of unsold clothing and footwear in the EU – what does the ESPR Regulation mean?

The scale of the problem

According to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), between 264,000 and 594,000 tons of unsold clothing and footwear are destroyed in Europe every year^[1]. This group includes goods returned from online sales, as well as surplus stock and end-of-line items. Until now, the practice of destruction has been mainly driven by economic considerations: the costs of storage, logistics, and large discounts often outweighed the potential profits from resale.

New law: Regulation (EU) 2024/1781

In June 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on ecodesign for sustainable products (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation – ESPR) came into force. This legal act is one of the pillars of the EU’s strategy for a circular economy and sustainable production. Its provisions cover many industrial sectors, but are of particular importance to the textile and footwear industries. The most important changes are:

• Ban on the destruction of unsold clothing and footwear – from July 19, 2026, this will apply to all large companies operating in the EU market. From July 19, 2030, the regulation will also cover medium-sized companies. Micro and small enterprises are exempt from this obligation.
• Reporting obligation – companies will have to publish annual information on:
  • how many products have been withdrawn from sale,
  • why they did not reach end users,
  • what measures have been taken to manage them (e.g., recycling, donations, resale in outlet channels).

The reports will be publicly available, which will increase transparency and the ability of consumers and social organizations to monitor compliance.

• Digital Product Passport (DPP) – from mid-2026, selected product groups, including textiles and footwear, will have to have a digital passport containing detailed information on, among other things, material composition, environmental footprint, recyclability, and reparability. The passport will be linked to a central EU register and accessible via a QR code on the product. ^[2]

What does this mean for companies?

The introduction of the ESPR regulation means that textile and footwear companies will have to adapt their entire operational and reporting processes. It is not just a matter of banning the destruction of surpluses, but of implementing new organizational and technological standards:

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An additional cost may be training programs for employees to ensure that operational activities comply with the new regulations.

What does this mean for customers?

The new regulations will have noticeable consequences not only for manufacturers, but also for end users:

Greater transparency

Thanks to mandatory reporting and the introduction of a digital product passport, customers will have access to verified information about the origin of clothing and footwear, their environmental parameters, recyclability, and expected durability. This will make it easier to make informed purchasing decisions.

Higher quality standards

The elimination of the practice of destroying unsold stock will force manufacturers to plan and design more precisely. As a result, greater emphasis will be placed on the durability and functionality of products, which in the long term may translate into an extended life cycle for clothing and footwear.

Zmiany cenowe
Adaptacja do nowych wymogów prawnych może początkowo generować dodatkowe koszty po stronie producentów i dystrybutorów, co może znaleźć odzwierciedlenie w cenach detalicznych. W dłuższym horyzoncie regulacje mogą sprzyjać stabilizacji cen dzięki bardziej racjonalnemu planowaniu produkcji i ograniczeniu strat wynikających z nadwyżek.

New sales channels

In order to dispose of unsold products, companies will develop alternative distribution channels, such as outlets, seasonal sales, and resale programs. Customers will thus gain wider access to products at reduced prices, and the secondary market for clothing and footwear may become more professional.

Why is this important for the protective clothing and occupational safety industry?

The protective clothing market differs significantly from the fast fashion segment. The product life cycle is much longer, and the priority remains user safety, functionality, and compliance with standards. However, this does not change the fact that protective clothing manufacturers will also have to adapt to the new regulatory requirements. In practice, this means the need to:

• implement strict control over inventory to reduce the risk of accumulating production surpluses,
• planning production based on actual market demand and customer orders, which will maintain a balance between efficiency and regulatory compliance,
• developing solutions for recycling technical materials that, after the end of their useful life and compliance with safety standards, cannot be reintroduced into the market but can be used as secondary raw materials.

Thanks to these measures, manufacturers in the health and safety sector will not only comply with the law, but also strengthen their contribution to the development of a circular economy, in which maximum resource use and waste reduction are becoming the market standard.

How does PW Krystian operate?

In the case of PW Krystian, compliance with the new regulations does not require a revolution, as we have been using solutions that minimize the risk of overproduction for years. Production is primarily carried out in response to actual customer demand, and flexible series planning allows us to reduce the accumulation of unnecessary inventory. In addition, highly durable materials are used, which supports the long life cycle of workwear and reduces the pressure to replace products.

This approach is in line with the European Union’s goals: reducing resource waste, extending product life cycles, and supporting the circular economy. As a result, we not only comply with legal requirements, but also consistently confirm our role as a responsible and environmentally conscious manufacturer. This is further confirmed by the quality and safety certificates that our clothing has, guaranteeing compliance with the highest industry standards.

A new era in the textile industry

The entry into force of the ESPR regulation marks a turning point in the development of the European textile and footwear market. For companies, it is a signal to modernize their production and logistics processes, and for customers, it is a guarantee of greater transparency and access to reliable product information. At the heart of the changes is a common goal: to ensure that every product manufactured is actually used, serves as long as possible, and supports the idea of a circular economy to the greatest extent possible.

We are constantly monitoring changes in EU regulations and their impact on the clothing industry and the health and safety sector. If you want to stay one step ahead of the competition and know how the new regulations will translate into practice, sign up for our newsletter. There, we regularly share analyses, advice, and practical tips to help your company efficiently adapt to the upcoming requirements.

^[1] ETC CE report, The destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe’s circular economy (European Environment Agency, 2024)

^[2] Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 13, 2024, on the eco-design of sustainable products (ESPR)

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