From July 2026, large companies in the EU can no longer routinely destroy unsold apparel, footwear and accessories, shifting fashion towards stricter inventory accountability.
Backed by ESPR rules and upcoming disclosure mandates, brands must now prove how deadstock is reused, repaired, donated or recycled.
The change pressures forecasting, returns, traceability and resale systems.From July 2026, large companies in the EU can no longer routinely destroy unsold apparel, footwear and accessories, shifting fashion towards stricter inventory accountability.
Backed by ESPR rules and upcoming disclosure mandates, brands must now prove how deadstock is reused, repaired, donated or recycled.
The change pressures forecasting, returns, traceability and resale systems.
EU deadstock ban 2026: Fashion’s unsold inventory reckoning
