EU Just Banned the Destruction of Unsold Textiles — Is Your DPP Timeline Ready?

Kiril Shivachev•February 11, 2026•3 min read
DPP for Textiles
DPP
WIARA helps with DPP Integration

On February 9, 2026, the European Commission took a landmark step: it approved the first delegated acts under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Targeting the textile and footwear industries, the message is clear—the era of destroying unsold goods is over, and the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is officially on the horizon.

If you manufacture, import, or sell textiles in the EU market, the clock isn't just ticking—it's racing. Here is the breakdown of what happened and what it means for your business.

The Ban: No More "Burn to Clear"

The new ESPR delegated acts introduce two massive shifts for textiles, apparel, accessories, and footwear:

  1. Direct Ban on Destruction: Companies can no longer discard, incinerate, or landfill unsold consumer products as a standard business practice.
  2. Mandatory Disclosure: Brands and retailers must now publicly report the volumes of unsold goods they produce and provide a clear account of what happened to them.
The Environmental Impact: Between 4% and 9% of all textiles produced in the EU are destroyed before ever reaching a customer. This generates 5.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year—a waste stream the EU is determined to eliminate.

The Compliance Timeline: Key Dates to Watch

Based on the latest Commission updates, here is your transition schedule:

What DPP Readiness Actually Requires

A Digital Product Passport is not just a digital version of a physical tag. It is a fundamental shift in how product information is created and shared. To be compliant by 2029, your systems must support:

The "Early Mover" Advantage

Waiting until 2029 is a high-risk strategy. Major retailers like H&M, Zara, and Primark are already auditing their supply chains for DPP readiness.

If you are a manufacturer, being "DPP-ready" by 2027 isn't just about avoiding fines—it's about securing your contracts. Western European buyers will prioritize suppliers who can provide seamless digital data over those who still rely on manual processes.

How DigiProductPass Simplifies Your Transition

DigiProductPass is purpose-built for SME manufacturers and brands navigating ESPR compliance. Unlike complex, high-priced enterprise software, our platform offers:

The ESPR framework is now law. Don't wait for the 2027 disclosure deadline to start organizing your data.

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FAQ

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If you are a large enterprise (typically >500 employees), the ban applies starting July 19, 2026. Medium-sized companies have a transition period until July 2030. However, the reporting obligations (disclosure of unsold stock) apply much sooner. By February 2027, almost all players must use the EU's standardized reporting format to declare their discarded volumes.

The specific "Apparel Act" (the delegated act for textiles) is expected to be finalized by late 2027. Following a standard 18-month implementation window, the DPP will become a mandatory requirement for all textile products placed on the EU market by early 2029.

Most standard ERPs are not built to handle the "lifecycle" data required by the EU, such as multi-tier supplier origins or repair instructions. DigiProductPass acts as a bridge; it integrates with your current ERP to extract basic data and then enriches it with the sustainability and circularity metrics needed to generate a compliant DPP and WIARA report.

Non-compliance can lead to significant financial penalties, but the bigger risk is market exclusion. EU customs and major retailers (like Zalando or Inditex) will require verified digital data for all incoming stock. Without a compliant reporting structure, your products may be blocked from entering the EU single market or delisted by major partners.

Yes. The regulation is based on the "market of sale," not the "market of origin." If you manufacture textiles in Turkey, Asia, or the Balkans but sell them to customers in Germany, France, or any other EU state, those products must carry a Digital Product Passport.

While 2029 is the final deadline for the physical passport, the data collection must start now. Gathering Tier-2 and Tier-3 supplier data (spinning, dyeing, weaving) often takes 12–18 months to set up. Starting early with DigiProductPass allows you to pilot one product line, iron out your supply chain data gaps, and position your brand as a "preferred sustainable partner" before the 2027 reporting crunch.

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