The European Parliament and EU member states announced a set of new regulations aimed at addressing issues in the fast fashion industry and reducing waste. These regulations, initially proposed by the European Commission the previous year, introduce stricter standards for products, emphasizing durability, repairability, and recyclability.

One significant aspect of the new rules is the prohibition of destroying unsold clothes, with the law taking effect two years after its implementation. Medium-sized companies will have a six-year grace period, while smaller companies are entirely exempt from this ban.

Furthermore, the European Commission, as the EU’s executive arm, possesses the authority to extend this prohibition to other unsold products beyond clothing and footwear.

“It is time to end the model of ‘take, make, dispose’ that is so harmful to our planet, our health and our economy,” said MEP Alessandra Moretti who spearheaded the legislation through parliament.

“New products will be designed in a way that benefits all, respects our planet and protects the environment,” she added.

To enhance transparency and empower consumers to make informed choices, products must now be marketed with a “digital product passport,” potentially in the form of a QR code. This passport will provide buyers with essential information about the product. Additionally, the regulations require large enterprises to report annually on the quantity of production they have destroyed and the reasons behind it.

The EU believes that such reporting obligations will serve as an incentive for these companies to curtail their destructive practices.