The era when fashion giants could freely incinerate or landfill mountains of unsold inventory is coming to a definitive halt. The European Union has moved forward with decisive new measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), effectively banning the destruction of unsold clothing, footwear, and accessories. Starting July 19, 2026, large companies across the 27-member bloc must comply with these rules, a move aimed at slashing waste, reducing environmental damage, and leveling the playing field for circular business models.
The UK’s fashion and lifestyle sector began 2026 on shaky ground, navigating a landscape defined by cautious consumers and aggressive price-cutting. According to the latest High Street Sales Tracker from BDO, discretionary retail sales rose by a modest 1.7% year-on-year in January. While any growth might seem positive, the figure remains significantly below the current rate of inflation, signaling a worrying decline in actual sales volumes as the cost-of-living crisis continues to dampen British purchasing power.
In an era defined by economic uncertainty and tightening investment conditions, the global textile industry is no longer viewing innovation as a luxury. Instead, it has become a critical survival mechanism. This reality was a central theme at Heimtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, where industry leaders argued that in a world of limited capital, only those who embrace technological and sustainable transformation will remain competitive. As the sector prepares for Techtextil and Texprocess in April 2026, the focus has shifted from "business as usual" to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and automation as vital strategic resources.
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