Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP 14:50 pm, May 22, 2023

The member countries of the European Union want to ban the destruction of new, unsold clothes. The move comes under a new ecodesign regulation that aims to make consumer products easier to repair and recycle. The goal is to reduce clothing waste.

EU member states want to ban the destruction of unsold new clothes, as part of a new ecodesign regulation that aims to make consumer products easier to repair and recycle. The ban is part of a position adopted on Monday by the EU Council, the body representing the 27 member states, on a draft ecodesign regulation that affects all products consumed in the EU, including electronic devices.

Limiting the environmental impact of products

The text presented by the European Commission in March 2022 sets new requirements in the design of products to limit their impact on the environment, make them more reliable, reusable and repairable, but also easier to recycle and more efficient in terms of resources consumed. The Council said in a statement that it "reinforces the ambition of this legislation", adding a ban on the destruction of unsold textiles, footwear and clothing. It is about "reducing the environmental impact of clothing and accessories that are produced but never used," he said.

>> LISTEN ALSO - VERA: a virtual dressing room to avoid fittings and clothing waste

However, small and micro-enterprises would be exempted and medium-sized enterprises would benefit from an exemption during a transitional period of 4 years allowing them time to adapt. EU member states want to exclude cars from the scope of the future ecodesign regulation, believing that specific legislation already applies to the sector. Food and medical products are not concerned because they are regulated elsewhere.

"Digital passport"

The text still has to be negotiated with the European Parliament, which is expected to adopt its own position in the coming weeks. The Commission's proposal also introduces a "digital passport" in the form of a QR code for clothing, as for a wide range of consumer products. This will allow consumers to know the impact of their purchases on the environment. It will also provide information on traceability and materials used that will facilitate repair and recycling.

The EU wants to act on the design of products, estimating that it determines up to 80% of their environmental impact.