Reserved Clothing Regulations
The EU Implements Rules for Unsold Clothes and Shoes
Debra John — February 11, 2026
Unsold clothes and shoes are the focus of new European Union regulations introduced under the 'Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation' to reduce waste and environmental impact. The EU has adopted Delegated and Implementing Acts to support businesses in complying with requirements that restrict the destruction of unsold apparel, accessories, and footwear. These measures "respond to estimates that 4–9% of unsold textiles in Europe are destroyed each year, generating approximately 5.6 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions."
The regulation requires companies to disclose information on unsold consumer goods discarded as waste and introduces a general ban on their destruction. Limited exemptions are defined for specific circumstances such as safety risks or product damage, with oversight by national authorities. A standardized disclosure format will apply from February 2027. The ban will take effect for large companies in July 2026, with medium-sized companies required to comply by 2030, supporting circular economy objectives.
