December 2, 2025 Welcome back to the peak of holiday retail season, where things move fast and staying up to date on industry news is more important than ever! Here’s your quick update to stay ahead. |
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How Forced Labor Laws Redefine Responsibility in Apparel Supply Chains Dec. 2: ... Walk Free estimates that more than 50m people are living in modern slavery, with 27.6m enduring conditions of forced labor. Nearly 40% of these individuals are women and girls, and 12% are children overall. Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index reports that the Asia-Pacific region accounts for the highest number of cases, driven by demand for low-cost production in markets such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China. Other hotspots include the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Latin America, where migrant labor and informal economies dominate. (Source: Just Style) |
Climate-Related Financial Risk Reports Docket Dec. 1: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has opened the public docket for entities that may choose to voluntarily submit their Climate-Related Financial Risk Report, under Senate Bill (SB) 261. On November 18, 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order in Chamber of Commerce v. Sanchez, Case No. 25-5327 (9th Cir. 2025), granting an injunction against the enforcement of SB 261 during the pendency of appellate proceedings in that matter. In light of the Court’s order, CARB will not enforce Health and Safety Code section 38533 against covered entities for failing to post and submit reports by the January 1, 2026, statutory deadline. (Source: California Air Resources Board) |
Calls for Unified Approach as EU Sustainability Legislation Starts to Roll Out Nov. 27: ...All EU member states are required to implement EPR for textiles by April 17, 2028 under the EU Waste Framework Directive, which came into force on October 16. Exactly how this happens is open to interpretation. Per EU protocol, each member state will dictate its own terms, meaning EPR will differ between markets — a logistical nightmare for brands that operate across borders. (Source: Vogue Business) |
What COP30 Means for the Future of Fashion Nov. 24: ...The final COP agreement does not provide industry-specific mandates, but its content—on carbon emission caps, reduction pathways, and finance mechanisms—shapes the environment in which the fashion industry operates. Even so, the agreement is only part of the story; the real action happens outside the official negotiating zone, where companies, coalitions, and interest groups dictate much of the unofficial agenda through hundreds of side events. These off-site forums provide important spaces for knowledge-sharing, alignment, and coalition building. At COP 30, fashion showed up en masse, with global brands sending their sustainability teams to advance their agenda, and local businesses highlighting their sustainable practices—including promoting a fashion show featuring designers from the Amazon. (Source: CFDA) |
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U.S. Manufacturing Stuck in Doldrums as Tariff Headwinds Persist Dec. 1: U.S. manufacturing contracted for the ninth straight month in November, with factories facing slumping orders and higher prices for inputs as the drag from import tariffs persisted. The Institute for Supply Management survey on Monday also showed some manufacturers in the transportation equipment industry linking layoffs to President Donald Trump's sweeping duties, saying they were "starting to institute more permanent changes due to the tariff environment." They added "this includes reduction of staff, new guidance to shareholders and development of additional offshore manufacturing that would have otherwise been for U.S. export." (Source: Reuters) |
Meet 8 of the Last Home Goods Manufacturers in America Nov. 30: ... President Donald Trump’s controversial tariff campaign has stirred conversation, debate, hope and despair about the state of American manufacturing. Trump says he is raising import taxes partly in the hope of sparking a manufacturing revival and inspiring consumers to buy American. Buy American is a concept as old as the nation. Right now, though, the Buy American movement faces stiff headwinds. Inflation has raised prices dramatically over the past five years, making cheap imports look all the more appealing. (Source: USA Today) |
Space Force Trainees to be First to Graduate in New Dress Uniform
Nov. 28: ... The uniforms feature a dark blue jacket that buttons diagonally from the Guardian’s right shoulder and a tie of the same color. It is matched with a collared shirt and a gray skirt or pants. The Space Force, which has roughly 9,400 members, announced in September that sizing for the service’s first dress uniform would begin by the end of the year after the uniform spent about four years in development. (Source: Stars and Stripes) |
Is the U.S. Planning to Rip Up USMCA? Nov. 24: ... “The President is really looking at his time in office right now as a chance to really fundamentally remake trade policy, and that includes the things that he did four years ago,” Stephen Lamar, President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), told HGI. “Since the review came along while he is now President, I think he’s not going to look at it as just a check the box review. I think he will look at it as, ‘Let’s look and see if it’s working in the same way that I feel the America trade-first policy needs it to work.’" (Source: Hertzman Global Intelligence) |
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TikTok’s U.S. Sell-off Deadline is About to Expire Once Again Nov. 30: It feels like Groundhog Day once again for TikTok in the U.S., with the platform’s fourth extended deadline to be sold off to a U.S.-based partner, or face expulsion from the region, set to expire on December 16th. And despite the White House approving a TikTok sell-off deal, and assuring Americans that the app would continue to be in operation, with this last extension merely a formality to finalize the details of the sale, there has still been no confirmation of any sale of TikTok to a U.S. entity, with the Chinese government refusing to sign off on any deal at this stage. (Source: Social Media Today) |
Personal Care Products Council Launches Anti-Counterfeit Campaign Ahead of Black Friday Nov. 25: ...The Personal Care Products Council teamed up with social media influencers, nonprofits, government agencies and other trade groups to provide consumers with resources to help them recognize counterfeit cosmetics and personal care products before buying. The trade group, which represents manufacturers in the cosmetics and personal care products business, said in the press release that fake products can expose consumers to harmful chemicals and weaken consumer confidence in the beauty industry. (Source: Manufacturing Dive) |
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Industry Chat with TextileGenesis: In this Industry Chat, AAFA President and CEO, Steve Lamar and TextileGenesis CEO and Founder, Amit Gautam, discuss the state of traceability today, its related regulations, and what the c-suite across our industry need to know to drive measurable impact. Watch to learn how to access the new Traceability Playbook for the C-suite. |
Giving Tuesday: We invite you to help us in spreading holiday cheer for those in need! Today is #GivingTuesday and there is no shortage of opportunities to spread love this holiday season. A single pair of shoes can make a huge difference, the collective power we have to provide warmth and comfort as an industry is undeniably impactful! We encourage AAFA members to talk with our friends at Delivering Good, Soles4Souls, the TwoTen Foundation, and the CFDA Foundation about ways to give back at this time of generosity. |
Safe products every holiday season: AAFA continues to raise awareness of ways that brands, consumers, the administration, and Congress can help to halt the flood of illicit goods and stop the digital devalue chain of counterfeits. In the new year, AAFA will be hosting the annual Product Safety & Compliance Seminar (February 3-4) in Long Beach, CA. We are excited to bring together a discussion between AAFA's Senior Director of Brand Protection, Jennifer Hanks, and Sustainability Policy Coordinator, Conor O'Brien, for a discussion around product safety, worker safety, brand IP, and environmental risks of counterfeits. Registration is open, with early bird rates closing in a few weeks on December 23. To engage with content this holiday, share the word with #BuyNoLie, #FightFakes, and #AntiCounterfeiting. For questions, or to get involved in AAFA's Brand Protection Council, please contact Jennifer Hanks. |
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Just this week, timed well with residual attention from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Jennifer Hanks spoke at the USA-IT Conference on "Legislative Pathways to IP Security" with a focus on our Digital Devalue Chain of Counterfeits call for Congressional action. Fellow panelists included representatives from International Trademark Association (INTA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) |
USMCA testimony and trade updates: Yesterday, AAFA joined more than 500 business and agriculture organizations in sending a coalition letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging continued support for the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). This follows AAFA’s ongoing advocacy, including comments submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) highlighting the benefits of the agreement to the textile, apparel, and footwear industry. This week on Wednesday, December 3, Beth Hughes, AAFA's Vice President of Trade and Customs Policy, will be testifying in D.C. regarding the upcoming USCMA review. Testimony as prepared for delivery will be posted and shared with press, as well as with members of the Trade and Customs Committee (TCC). In case you missed it, AAFA also joined industry leaders in a joint statement to USTR on proposed action regarding the Section 301 investigation on Nicaragua. 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 on Monday, December 8 at noon ET. For questions, reach out to Beth Hughes. |
Updated open-industry guidance: AAFA and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) - AAFA's Official Corporate Social Responsibility Partner - periodically issue joint publications providing guidance on responsible sourcing practices, including on supply chain challenges like forced labor, assessing social compliance of new suppliers, in-factory social compliance guidance for non-CSR personnel, and working hours. As global supply chains adapt to rising geopolitical and economic instability, the expectations for responsible business conduct have evolved. This month, we've decided to re-publish the AAFA/WRAP Guidelines for Responsible Sourcing in Tariff-Impacted Supply Chains as an open-industry resource. For questions, please contact Nate Herman. |
Comments to the Basel Convention: Last month, AAFA submitted comments to the Basel Convention on the trade of used and waste textiles and their disposition under the Convention. In our comments, we recommend further discussion among technical experts on distinguishing "used" textiles from "waste" textiles in order to preserve legitimate reuse, repair, and recycling of textile products. For questions, please reach out to Chelsea Murtha or Conor O'Brien. |
Intern farewell: Finishing their terms with AAFA this week, we'd like to thank all of our fall interns on the policy team. Thank you very much to Hope Kabura, University of Delaware, International Relations; Caroline Totz, George Washington University Law School; and Matthew Zavelson, American University, Government and Environmental Studies for their dedication and amazing work during their time with AAFA! |
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Member Welcome: C.H. Robinson |
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Member Update: Managing Color Approvals for Apparel with UL Solutions In this video, UL Solutions shares an overview of color management and on 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 here. |
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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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