By FOCUS, A Leonine Business
With California and New York enacting first-of-their-kind laws regulating the fashion and textile industries last year, more states are jumping on board as state legislatures begin to embrace their role as the fashion police.
In September 2024, California enacted SB 707/Chapter 864, establishing the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for textile waste. EPR is a policy approach that holds producers responsible for costs associated with a product’s end-of-life management. It aims to reduce waste (and public spending on waste management) and to foster innovations in product design to minimize a product’s environmental impact throughout its life cycle. According to NCSL, 35 states and the District of Columbia have enacted some kind of EPR policy for products such as electronics, pharmaceuticals and mattresses.
New York is currently considering an EPR framework for textile producers with SB 3217, introduced by Sen. Brian Kavanagh, D-Manhattan, on January 24. Similarly in Washington, HB 1420 would create an EPR program for fashion and textile manufacturers. The bill was introduced by a group of representatives and referred to the House Environment and Energy Committee on January 20.
In addition to EPR policies, lawmakers are pushing for greater environmental transparency within the fashion industry. New York SB 4558, introduced by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, D-Manhattan, on February 7, aims to create the Fashion Environmental Accountability Act. If enacted, this legislation would require apparel companies to map their supply chains, conduct environmental due diligence and set measurable greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Massachusetts has also introduced similar legislation with HD 4220, filed by Reps. Tram Nguyen, D-Andover, and David Rogers, D-Cambridge, on January 17.
Meanwhile, Washington HB 1107, introduced on January 13 by a group of representatives, proposes additional environmental disclosure requirements for apparel manufacturers. Under this law, companies would be required to disclose their policies on management of excess product and their current approach to their environmental impact.
Beyond environmental concerns, lawmakers are also focusing on labor rights within the fashion industry. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed SB 9832/Chapter 676 into law on December 21, 2024, establishing the New York State Fashion Workers Act. Effective June 19, 2025, the law introduces new regulations for model management companies, requiring them to register with the state, provide models with contracts in advance and disclose any financial relationships with a client. Additionally, the law limits contract terms to three years and bans automatic renewals without explicit consent. The law also addresses concerns related to artificial intelligence by requiring models to give written consent before their digital likeness can be created or used.
With more states considering EPR programs, environmental transparency measures and labor protections for the fashion industry, legislatures have begun to embrace their role as the fashion police. As a relatively unregulated industry at the state level, textile and fashion companies may need to keep a closer eye on the states as legislative efforts gain traction. FOCUS will continue to monitor the developments of EPR and other related legislation at both the state and federal levels.
