The fashion industry is bracing for significant legislative shifts aimed at boosting sustainability and ethical practices. In the Americas, the groundbreaking Americas Act, introduced by Senators Michael Bennet and Bill Cassidy, promises $14 billion to foster innovation in circular fashion, including reuse, repair, rental, and recycling. California is also making strides with the California Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707), which would require producers to fund an Extended Producer Responsibility program for textile recycling. Meanwhile, Europe’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is set to enforce strict requirements on businesses to address environmental and human rights violations in their supply chains, though it has faced pushback from major EU nations.
Beyond legislation, the International Maritime Organization’s target for net-zero emissions by 2050 is driving major shipping companies to commit to green fuels, with companies like MSC, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd leading the charge.
In response to these evolving regulations, brands such as Everlane and Dedicated are making strides. Everlane has cut its carbon impact by 24% per product, while Dedicated focuses on producing ethical, trendy clothing. Salesforce is also advocating for sustainable practices in AI development to support broader climate goals.
These efforts highlight the need for a unified approach across the fashion industry to drive meaningful change in sustainability and transparency.