What you need to know about the California Textile EPR Law SB 707

The introduction of the California Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707), marks the first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for textiles in the United States. Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 28, 2024, this legislation mandates that producers of apparel and textile products participate in a comprehensive recycling and recovery program.  

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Understanding the California Textile EPR Law

California Responsible Textile Recovery Act is designed to divert textile waste from landfills by compelling producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products. This includes apparel, accessories, footwear, home textiles, and even costumes.

Under this legislation, producers must form or join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) that will manage the collection, repair, and reuse of textiles and footwear which is a common base for all EPR schemes but not only.

It emphasizes minimizing the generation of hazardous waste, greenhouse gases, environmental impacts, environmental justice impacts, and public health impacts. The program is funded by eco-modulated fees, which incentivize the creation of recyclable and repairable products.

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Who Must Comply?

The textile EPR program applies to a broad spectrum of stakeholders including manufacturers, brands, retailers, and distributors involved in the production and/or sale of textile and footwear products in California. Compliance is required for those exporting to California as well, emphasizing the global reach of this legislation.  

In addition, online marketplaces have their own role to play. They are responsible to ensure third-party sellers are certified by the PRO. They shall issue a yearly report with the list of all third-party sellers exceeding $1 million in sales in the e-commerce platform. This report also includes the sales volumes generated by each one of them.  

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Products concerned by California Textile Recovery Act  

The list is very detailed in the act. It includes: undergarments, shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, overalls, bodysuits, costumes, vests, dancewear, suits, saris, scarves, tops, leggings, school uniforms, leisurewear, athletic wear, sports uniforms, swimwear, formal wear, onesies, bibs, footwear, handbags, backpacks, knitted and woven accessories, jackets, coats, snow pants, ski pants, and everyday uniforms for workwear.  

However, there are some products excluded such as personal protective equipment or clothing items.

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Key Deadlines for Compliance

To ensure a smooth transition to compliance, the legislation outlines a series of critical deadlines:

• March 1, 2026: The California Department of Resources will approve a PRO that meets the required standards.
• July 1, 2026: All producers must join an approved PRO.
• March 1, 2027: The PRO must submit a comprehensive needs assessment.
• July 1, 2030: Implementation of the PRO’s stewardship plan. Non-compliant producers will face penalties.

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How Trimco Group Can Facilitate Your Compliance

Trimco Group offers cutting-edge solutions to help brands navigate the complexities of the California Textile Recovery Act. Two solutions from Trimco Group’s expertise are suitable for brands to tackle compliance and facilitate reporting required by the new EPR scheme: ProductDNA® and RFID.

Thanks to ProductDNA® your brand can make use of a robust platform for managing product environmental and chemicals data, ensuring compliance, transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. This tool is crucial in helping your brand meet reporting requirements and demonstrate compliance with eco-modulated fee structures.

Additionally, Trimco Group’s RFID tagging and labelling enhances inventory management and traceability, improving the efficiency of recycling and waste reduction efforts. By integrating RFID solutions, brands can implement great waste management projects, storing important information using embedded RFID solutions.

Compliance with the California Recovery Textile Act is more than a regulatory, and a way for brands to contribute to a circular economy. Trimco Group’s ProductDNA® and RFID solutions offer a strategic advantage in achieving these goals, providing brands with the tools they need to manage their sustainability and compliance goals.  

Want to know more about how Trimco Group can be your brand’s a trusted partner helping your navigate the complexities of the California textile EPR law.? Get in touch to understand how you too can make use of our innovative solutions.

Source: Bill Text - SB-707 Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024.