February 3-4, 2026 | Long Beach, CA |
AAFA’s 2026 Product Safety & Compliance Seminar in Long Beach, CA brings the industry together around compliance including global RSLs, the latest rules in the EU, microplastics, PFAS, and what's on the horizon for 2026.
The early bird rate ends next Tuesday, December 23! |
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From Fiber to Finished Product: Strengthening Safety and Compliance |
True product safety starts upstream. Most product safety and chemical compliance risks begin early in the supply chain during raw material development and sourcing. Explore how addressing those risks at the source improves safety, reduces compliance issues, and simplifies testing. This discussion will highlight the importance of proactive data management and building compliance into the product design starting with raw materials. Speakers include: |
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Deepak Jadhav Global Director of Product Chemistry New Balance Athletics, Inc. |
| Brendan McLellan Manager, Product Stewardship Kontoor Brands, Inc. |
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Alexandra Morge Rochette Head of Environmental Compliance ECCO |
| Moderated by Joe Walkuski Founder, CPO & Chairman Texbase, Inc. |
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The Westin Long Beach
333 East Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90802 |
Co-located with this seminar, AAFA’s Environmental and Social Responsibility Committee (on February 3 and 5, respectively) meetings provide attending members with expanded resources and alignment. (Separate registration required.) |
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Hotel Room Block Information: |
Plan Ahead – Book Now! Long Beach will be especially busy the first week of February due to a major event at the convention center. We strongly encourage you to book your travel and accommodations as soon as possible. AAFA’s room block at the Westin Long Beach (host hotel) has sold out. AAFA has secured a second room block at the Hilton Long Beach. Please use the link below to make your hotel reservation. |
The deadline to reserve a room in AAFA's block at our negotiated rates is Monday, January 12. Rooms may sell out before this date. For questions about the event, contact Brielle Papalia. |
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Follow along with us on social media with #AAFASafe |
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Event Ambassador Sponsors: |
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BECOME A SPONSOR Sponsorships for the 2026 Product Safety & Compliance Seminar are sold out. If you'd like information about sponsoring the 2027 program or another AAFA event please contact Megan Balkovic for details. |
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Wednesday, January 21
2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online |
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Webinar: The Evolving Challenge of Forced Labor Compliance: Why It's More Important than Ever |
The world of forced labor regulations is changing fast, and the consequences for non-compliance remain serious. Recent and upcoming rules are popping up everywhere, from Canada and Mexico to the EU and beyond, in addition to parallel U.S. regulations like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). Join Sayari as we unpack the newest legal developments and provide actionable tips for staying compliant and competitive. We'll also share real-world examples of how our customers are using the latest solutions to tackle these challenges head-on. |
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Wednesday, February 11
2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online |
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Webinar: How Leading Brands Achieve Ethical Sourcing & U.S. Customs Pre-Validation with AI |
Brands are already using AI to dramatically improve supply chain traceability, allowing them to clear borders faster and with fewer delays. Is your company exploring the future of supply chain intelligence and trusted trade? This technology allows companies to proactively identify hidden connections and satisfy the urgent demands of evolving forced labor laws. The session will detail how a secure, digital Product Passport eliminates costly, 45-day detentions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), enabling pre-validation and smooth trade. Discover how advanced data analytics protects brand reputation and provides the strategic agility needed for responsible sourcing and customs efficiency. Join this webinar to explore how apparel brands are moving past manual supplier verification to gain unprecedented visibility deep into multi-tier value chains. |
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Wednesday, February 18
2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online |
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Webinar: Making Credible Product Claims through Testing and Standards |
Product claims influence both compliance and consumer confidence. Behind every credible claim lies data, testing, and the right standard. This session helps apparel and footwear brands understand how to substantiate claims responsibly, balancing technical accuracy with clear communication. Join us as we’ll outline how testing supports defensible claims, when certification adds credibility, and how to align messaging with recognized standards without overwhelming you with legal or regulatory detail. |
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Wednesday, February 23
2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online |
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Webinar: 2026 Global Enforcement Trends with Ana Hinojosa |
2026 is going to test the resilience of apparel and footwear importers. The United States, the European Union, Canada, and other key markets are increasing scrutiny on supply chains through forced labor regulations, anti-dumping measures, sustainability-related trade policies, and stricter traceability requirements. At the same time, regulators are also leveraging advanced technology, data analytics, and forensic science to validate claims and identify inconsistencies, raising the bar for supply chain transparency and reliable evidence. Join this webinar to learn how enforcement direction is changing across key regions and why routing, transshipments, and component sourcing are drawing attention from regulators plus the role of technology in enforcement actions and how brands can leverage it for compliance. |
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Wednesday, February 25
2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online |
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Webinar: AI-Powered Responsible Sourcing: From Audits to Action |
As global supply chains face increasing scrutiny from regulators, investors, and consumers, apparel and footwear companies are rethinking how they manage responsible sourcing. Manual audit reviews and fragmented data make it difficult to identify risks and take corrective action efficiently.
In this session, Elm AI will showcase how artificial intelligence can help brands move from compliance to continuous improvement. |
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Service Provider Spotlight: Managing Color Approvals for Apparel with UL Solutions In this video, UL Solutions shares an overview of color management and the importance of technical expertise and tools that support effective color management. For strategies tailored to the Softline industry and practical, real-world insights, this session offers guidance to refine and advance color management practices. To learn more, contact UL Solutions at RCP@ul.com. Access the video! |
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AAFA's Webinar program is sold out for 2026. Connect with Megan Balkovic before December 31 to discuss other event options and lock in your preferred programs. |
ATTENTION: Please also contact Megan Balkovic if you receive solicitations to purchase contact information of AAFA members or event attendees. Please do not click on any links from non-affiliated AAFA organizations or in suspicious e-mails. See the AAFA privacy policy to learn more. |
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December 16, 2025 Welcome to the final AAFA Weekly Brief edition until January 2026. Read on with AAFA's latest advocacy updates and have a happy holiday season! |
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AAFA & FLA Op-Ed: The U.S. Government’s Nasty Slavery Secret Dec. 15: This month marks 160 years since adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment, yet the work to end slavery remains unfinished. One major “loophole” in the text allows slavery to persist in the U.S. “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States…” That parenthetical exception is not a dusty historical quirk. It is the constitutional foundation for a vast, government-run system of coerced labor that is instantly condemned as “forced labor” when it takes place in any other country, under Section 307 of the Tariff Act. (Source: Medium.com, op-ed by AAFA’s Steve Lamar and FLA’s Shelly Han) |
U.S. Textile Sector Applauds Taiwan’s Steps to Protect Workers Dec. 12: The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) have welcomed an announcement by the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) to protect foreign migrant workers in Taiwan’s textile industry. The Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) announcement urges the Taiwan textile industry, starting 1 January to adopt a policy that includes an Employer Pays Principle. Under this policy, Taiwan’s textile mills would pay all fees associated with recruitment of foreign migrant workers into Taiwan’s textile industry and adopt other steps to protect foreign migrant workers. (Source: Just Style) |
EU Omnibus Package Trilogue Agreement on EU CSRD and CSDDD Dec. 12: On Dec. 9, 2025, the Council of the EU (Council)’s Presidency and European Parliament (Parliament)’s negotiators reached a provisional agreement to simplify sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements (Provisional Agreement). The Provisional Agreement opens the way to simplifying the EU directives on corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD) and corporate sustainability due diligence (CSDDD). (Source: The National Law Review) |
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Trump’s DOJ Digs in on Tariff Refunds Dec. 15: ... The Trump administration asked a federal court to reject a request from dozens of companies seeking to suspend the final processing, or “liquidation,” of tariff payments, as importers race against deadlines that could affect their ability to secure refunds. In a filing last week, the DOJ opposed a Thursday request from dozens of companies for an injunction to halt tariff processing ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on duties Trump imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. (Source: Politico) |
U.S., Mexico Strike Deal to Settle Rio Grande Water Dispute Dec. 13: The U.S. and Mexico agreed to end a dispute over water at the border with Texas, days after President Donald Trump vowed to impose additional tariffs. Both governments agreed that Mexico will deliver an additional 202,000 acre-feet of water beginning the week of Dec. 15 and finalize a broader distribution plan by the end of January, the US Department of Agriculture said in a statement on Friday. (Source: Bloomberg) |
Trade Groups Urge Swift USMCA Renewal with Key Sector Revisions Dec. 11: ... Beth Hughes, VP of trade and customs policy for the American Apparel & Footwear Association, advocated integrating the USMCA with other Free Trade Agreement partners. The integration would “create a virtual web among key U.S. trading partners without allowing textile, apparel, and footwear products using inputs from third countries to receive the benefits of the USMCA agreement,” Hughes said. (Source: Supply Chain Dive) |
Ways and Means Committee Shows Bipartisan Support for Three-Year Renewal of AGOA, Haiti HOPE-HELP Dec. 10: ... The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) has long supported the renewal of both AGOA and Haiti HOPE-HELP. The trade group said the programs’ lapse imperiled sourcing operations for fashion firms and their producers, which rely on uninterrupted, stable investment and access to the U.S. market. The uncertainty surrounding these programs could inhibit companies looking to diversify operations into these burgeoning textile and apparel production areas and prompt those already engaged in doing business there to reconsider their long-term strategies, the group has said. AAFA has advocated for a 16-year AGOA extension, but Beth Hughes, its vice president of trade and customs policy, said the group is optimistic about the prospect of a three-year extension. (Source: Sourcing Journal) |
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TikTok Restructured its E-Commerce Product and Data Teams Amid the Busy Holiday Shopping Season Dec. 15: After a blockbuster Black Friday week, TikTok and its owner ByteDance are shaking up their global e-commerce product and data science teams, according to two company staffers and a December memo viewed by Business Insider. The move was designed to streamline collaboration in areas like artificial intelligence, as well as "improve operational efficiency," per the memo. (Source: Business Insider) |
Trump Signs Executive Order to Block State AI Regulations Dec. 11: President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at blocking states from crafting their own regulations for artificial intelligence, saying the burgeoning industry is at risk of being stifled by a patchwork of onerous rules while in a battle with Chinese competitors for supremacy. Members of Congress from both parties, as well as civil liberties and consumer rights groups, have pushed for more regulations on AI, saying there is not enough oversight for the powerful technology. (Source: Associated Press) |
House Takes Up Anti-Counterfeit Bill to Strengthen CBP Information-Sharing and Enforcement Dec. 10: ...The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), along with 11 other trade organizations across industries like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and automotives wrote a letter in support of the Senate bill, painting a picture of the scope of the burgeoning market for counterfeit products and the adverse impacts they have on the American consumer market. The signatories pointed to CBP data showing that the agency seized more than 32 million counterfeit and pirated products worth over $5 billion last year from more than 300 ports of entry. Over the past five years alone, the volume of illicit goods seized by CBP has more than doubled and the value of those products has ballooned over 400 percent. (Source: Sourcing Journal) |
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The AAFA team is decking the halls of Capitol Hill with our #AdvocacyThatFits agenda. Stay informed all season across social media: |
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A blizzard of advocacy: D.C. has had a few good snows so far this season, but nothing like the blizzard that was AAFA's team last week in messaging to applaud, encourage, and influence. Messaging included: All of these announcements and more were shared via AAFA Committees and with members of the media. Related, we encourage AAFA members to stay up to date on tariff negotiations and key deadlines with the Tariffs 101 page and the regularly updated 'Trade Negotiations by Country' resource. The next member only tariff call will be in the new year on Monday, January 26 at noon ET. |
Year-end resource spotlight: Last week, AAFA released a quarterly member update with several resources to support your efforts as we transition to 2026. In case you missed it, we encourage members to: |
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Member Welcome: Envision Dallas |
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| Envision Dallas is a manufacturer of textiles and clothing for government and commercial clients. They Offer design services, production for short- and long-run orders, customization and personalization, specialty customer programs, as well as warehousing and distribution services. |
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December-February Dec. 17 | Online: Monthly Member-Only Shipping Roundtable* Dec. 17 | Online: Webinar: New Opportunities to Use Technology to Combat Counterfeits Jan. 21 | Online: Monthly Member-Only Shipping Roundtable* Jan. 21 | Online: Webinar: The Evolving Challenge of Forced Labor Compliance: Why It's More Important than Ever Jan. 26 | Online: Member-Only Call on Tariffs* Feb. 3 | In-person: Environmental Committee Meeting Feb. 3-4 | In-person: Product Safety & Compliance Seminar Feb. 5 | In-person: Social Responsibility Committee Meeting Feb. 18 | Online: Monthly Member-Only Shipping Roundtable* Feb. 18 | Online: Webinar: Making Credible Product Claims through Testing and Standards Feb. 23 | Online: Member-Only Call on Tariffs* Feb. 23 | Online: Webinar: 2026 Global Enforcement Trends with Ana Hinojosa Feb. 25 | Online: Webinar: AI-Powered Responsible Sourcing: From Audits to Action *Member-only content |
| Visit our events calendar for all AAFA webinars, scheduled events, and member/committee calls.
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About the American Apparel & Footwear Association The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. Representing more than 1,100 world famous name brands, AAFA is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its more than 3.6 million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than $523 billion in annual U.S. retail sales. AAFA drives progress on three key priorities: Brand Protection; Supply Chain & Sourcing; and Trade, Logistics, & Manufacturing. AAFA approaches this work through the lens of purpose-driven leadership in a manner that supports each member’s ability to build and sustain inclusive and diverse cultures, meet and advance ESG goals, and draw upon the latest technology. |
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