California news and archive

New bill introduced in California aims to tackle environmental exploitation in fast fashion

A new piece of legislation has been introduced in California aiming to tackle fast fashion’s "environmental destruction” and the industry’s “role in generating textile waste, natural resources pollution and exploitative labour practices”. The bill, AB 405, was backed by assemblymember Dawn Addis and is now awaiting a referral to its first policy...

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What to know: States banning or prohibiting PFAS in textiles in 2025

With the ringing in of 2025 came the implementation of a number of bills in the US intending to limit or ban the use and production of textile and apparel products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Concern surrounding these so-called “forever chemicals” has begun mounting in recent years due to their increased association...

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When fashion burns: LA’s retailers will once again rise from the ashes

In the long history of California's relationship with wildfire, perhaps nothing captures the human toll quite like the destruction of beloved local businesses - those carefully curated spaces that form the backbone of community identity. The ongoing devastation in Pacific Palisades, Malibu and greater Los Angeles brings this truth into sharp...

Retail

California strengthens retail crime laws in boost for fashion retailers

California has enacted sweeping legislation to combat retail theft, introducing measures that could provide significant relief for fashion retailers operating in the state. The comprehensive package, which took effect January 1st, represents the most substantial reform of its kind in the state's modern history. Key provisions include the ability...

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Responsible Textile Recovery Act passes in California

A new piece of “groundbreaking” legislation has passed in California, establishing what is said to be the US’ first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling programme. The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (Senate Bill 707) involves the creation of a framework for producers and other members of the value chain to “take...

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What to know about the Californian act pushing for textile recovery

Last month, the Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707) passed the California Assembly Natural Resources Committee, taking it one step closer to being implemented into legislation in the Sunshine State. It is one of many bills hoping to bolster the sustainable textile industry currently attempting to be signed into law across the US. If...

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Over one million dollars recovered for Californian garment workers

The US Department of Labor has said that it has recovered over one million dollars in back wages and damages for 165 garment workers after an investigation found a series of malpractices by Los Angeles garment contractors. The settlement, considered to be the largest for Californian garment workers to date, was linked to the operations of four...

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California is first US state to ban animal fur

A statewide ban on the production and sale of animal fur products officially went into effect in California on January 1, 2023. With the enactment of the law Assembly Bill 44, California became the first state in America to ban animal fur. To this day, a hundred million animals are being killed each year for the fashion industry, as reported by...

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California passes bill banning PFAS in textiles

The California State Assembly has announced the passing of its ‘Safer Clothes and Textiles Act’ which would ban the use of certain chemicals in new fabrics and textiles. The law specifically targets per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which have been proven by various studies to be toxic and can pose significant health risks, as noted by...

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California passes Garment Worker Protection Act

On Monday, September 27th, 2021, governor Gavin Newsom signed the Garment Worker Protection Act (SB62) into California law. This means that the more than 45,000 Californian garment workers will receive at least a minimum wage for their labor, currently 14 US dollars per hour. In comparison, garment workers have been struggling for decades under...

Fashion

California the first state to ban fur

California is the first American state to ban the use of fur. On Friday the legislation was formally signed by Governor Gavin Newson that will make it illegal to manufacture new fur products, including the sales thereof. The new law will apply to all garment manufacturing as well as accessories and other items that are made with fur. The law...

Retail

Fur ban in California gets one step closer to becoming a reality

The idea of California becoming the first U.S. state to ban the sales and manufacturing of fur might just become a reality. According to California Apparel News, the bill for the fur ban, AB44 is on its way back to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom. If the governor signs AB44, the fur ban will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023. Cities in California...