EU to Ban Burning Unsold Clothing: New Rules for Sustainable Fashion Industry

Big companies may soon not be allowed to burn unsold clothes. Today vote into the European Parliament with an update on a lead for sustainable design that prohibits this. There will also be a digital ‘passport’ which will allow consumers to see how sustainable a product is.

Now that the parliament has approved the guidelines, the EU ministers must still agree. It is expected that there will be sufficient support for the plans. With the new rules, the European Union wants to make the market more stable.

This is an update to a guide that currently only applies to electronic equipment. The arrangement means that clothing companies and furniture manufacturers must also meet the sustainability requirements.

Many companies burn clothing that they do not sell or that are returned by unsatisfied customers after an online order. In 2015 this was thought to be the case 1.2 million garmentsmeasured MVO Nederland, an organization committed to corporate social responsibility.

With this law, the European Union wants to prevent clothes from going through the shredder or ending up in the incinerator. It is not yet clear what clothing companies will do with their remaining products. The EU is certainly hoping for more recycling with the law.

Large clothing companies have two years to change their business operations. Medium-sized companies will have six years to prepare for the new rules.

In addition, the EU wants to introduce a so-called ‘digital product passport’. According to this law, all products sold on the European market must have a digital sustainability label.

With this passport, consumers can see where a product comes from, how it is made up and how it can be repaired or recycled. “Consumers can quickly see which product is more durable or easier to repair,” said Belgian MEP Sara Matthieu, who was rapporteur during the discussions.

In addition to product passporting and the ban on burning unsold clothing, the EU includes regulations that should make recycling products possible. In addition, there will be regulations that should reduce the use of raw materials, energy and water during production.

According to the European Commission, the directive “is a great opportunity for companies and consumers”, says Deputy President Sefcovic, who is responsible for the European Green Deal. “Ultimately, the European market will benefit from products that are more sustainable and easier to recycle. “

The European consumer group BEUC is warning about ways to get around the new law. A lack of staff and sufficient resources to carry out investigations will make it difficult to implement the new law effectively, the group fears.