Several U.S. state legislatures have introduced bills targeting sustainability and safety issues in the fashion industry, focusing on worker protections, consumer safety, and environmental impact.
- Massachusetts (H420): Introduced in January 2023 by Representatives David M. Rogers and Tram T. Nguyen, this bill targets fashion companies with over $100 million in global revenue operating in Massachusetts. It mandates supply chain mapping, disclosure, due diligence reports, and state-verified sustainability and social accountability measures. The legislation aims to address environmental footprints and ensure fair treatment of workers. As of May 2024, it was referred to the House Committee on Rules, with no further hearings scheduled, indicating implementation challenges.
- Washington (SB5965 and HB2068): Proposed in January 2024, these bills focus on the environmental impacts of fashion, though specific details on their scope or progress are limited. They reflect a growing state-level push for sustainability but face hurdles in moving through legislative processes.
- New York (Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, S.4746/A.4333): Reintroduced in 2023, this act targets apparel and footwear companies with over $100 million in annual revenue. It requires mapping at least 50% of supply chains, disclosing social and environmental impacts (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, chemical use, wages), and setting reduction targets aligned with the Paris Agreement. Non-compliance could lead to fines up to 2% of annual revenue, with funds directed to a remediation fund. The bill, backed by groups like the New Standard Institute and Stella McCartney, has not yet passed, facing resistance due to the industry’s complex supply chains and lack of support in 2022.
- California: Leading with multiple laws, California has implemented the Garment Worker Protection Act (effective 2022), ensuring hourly wages for garment workers, and the Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB-707, 2024), which establishes extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textile recycling. By 2026, companies with over $1 billion in revenue must report greenhouse gas emissions (SB 253), including Scope 3 emissions from supply chains starting in 2027. AB-1817 bans PFAS in textiles from 2025, and AB-405 (Fashion Environmental Accountability Act) is under consideration. California’s EPR program requires brands to join Producer Responsibility Organizations by 2028, with non-compliance fines up to $50,000 per day.
- Other States: Maine’s 2024 legislation restricts PFAS in textiles by 2026, with a full ban on intentionally added PFAS by 2032. States like Colorado, Minnesota, and Oregon have EPR laws for packaging, which could extend to textiles. New York’s proposed EPR for textiles (S6654) is under review.
Hurdles to Implementation:
- Legislative Delays: Bills like Massachusetts’ H420 and New York’s Fashion Act are stalled in committees, reflecting challenges in gaining political support.
- Industry Resistance: The fashion industry’s complex, global supply chains make compliance difficult, especially for smaller brands. The 2% fine in New York’s Fashion Act is significant for low-margin businesses.
- Enforcement Gaps: Lack of federal action shifts the burden to states, creating a patchwork of regulations. Enforcement mechanisms, like New York’s Attorney General-led oversight, require robust infrastructure.
- Data and Transparency: Mapping supply chains and verifying emissions or chemical use (e.g., PFAS) demand significant resources. Scope 3 emissions reporting, critical for fashion’s carbon footprint, is particularly challenging.
Impact and Outlook: These regulations aim to curb the fashion industry’s 4-8.6% contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, reduce textile waste (less than 1% is recycled), and address labor abuses. However, inconsistent state policies and reliance on voluntary compliance in some cases (e.g., federal Voluntary Sustainable Apparel Labeling Act) may limit effectiveness. California’s proactive approach sets a model, but nationwide coordination is lacking, and federal inaction, including potential rollbacks of ESG rules, complicates progress.
For further details on specific bills or compliance, check sources like www.fashiondive.com, www.thefashionact.org, or www.hklaw.com.[](https://www.fashiondive.com/news/US-state-legislatures-fashion-sustainability-safety/738813/)[](https://www.thefashionact.org/)[](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/04/sustainable-fashion-law-update-critical-legislation
