The European Parliament and EU member states announced a deal on Tuesday to ban the destruction of unsold new clothes and boost the “eco-design” of more consumer goods to make them easier to repair and recycle, AFP reported.

New legislation proposed by the European Commission in March 2022 sets out new requirements for the design of products to limit their impact on the environment, make them more reliable, reusable and repairable, as well as easier to recycle and more efficient in terms of consumption resources.

Among the specific measures, it will now be forbidden to destroy unsold clothes and shoes. The measure will enter into force two years after the law enters into force.

Small companies will be exempted from the ban

Medium-sized companies are given six years, while small companies will be exempted from the measure.

The Commission will have the power to extend this ban to other product categories.

In addition, large companies will have to publish the volume of discarded products every year and provide explanations to justify the practice, in the hope of encouraging them to abandon it.

As regards eco-design, the Commission will define specific requirements for certain consumer products to encourage the circular economy.

On Tuesday, he clarified that he would prioritize “high-impact” products, including textiles, furniture (including mattresses), iron and steel, aluminum, tires, and electronics.

Motor vehicles are excluded from the new legislation as they are already covered by special rules.

“It’s time to end the paint, make, throw away model that is so harmful to our planet, our health and our economy. New products will be designed to benefit everyone, respect the planet and protect the environment,” he said. speaker Alessandra Moretti, member of the S&D group.

The text, which has been discussed by EU co-legislators for several months, must now be officially adopted by MEPs at a plenary session and EU member states, reports Agerpres.