EU Textile Regulation Takes Effect in 2026: Ban On Unsold Garment Destruction & Full Lifecycle Traceability Mandate

    Starting July 2026, the EU's ESPR regulation officially comes into force, bringing sweeping reforms to the apparel supply chain across Europe. Large fashion brands are legally prohibited from destroying leftover unsold clothing, a common wasteful practice for decades to protect brand value. Every finished garment must be attached with a Digital Product Passport (DPP), which records raw material sources, production locations, carbon emission data, dyeing processes and recycling instructions. Meanwhile, extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules are tightened, requiring labels to bear more costs for textile waste collection and disposal. Cross-border platforms including SHEIN and Temu face stricter market access audits. Official statistics show the EU generates around 12.6 million tons of textile waste every year, and the new rules aim to cut industrial pollution and push the whole sector toward circular production.