The EU prohibits, as of today, the destruction of unsold clothes and footwear.

Starting from July 19, large companies in the textile and clothing sector in the European Union are no longer allowed to destroy unsold clothing, footwear, and accessories, according to a regulation adopted by the European Commission.

Destruction will only be permitted in special cases, such as safety reasons or product deterioration. Companies will have to declare the volumes of unsold goods they dispose of in a standardized format, starting from February 2027. The measure aims to reduce textile waste, which generates significant CO₂ emissions.

In France, for example, throwing away new non-food products is already prohibited.

The impact of these rules will also be felt in Romania, where companies will need to adapt to the new reporting and inventory management requirements.

Although the new regulations may seem like a burden, in the long run, they can bring competitive advantages by encouraging quality control and developing partnerships with the social economy.