American Apparel & Footwear Association,newsletter

 

Monday, February 23 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online REGISTER Webinar: 2026 Global Enforcement Trends with Ana Hinojosa 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.   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. Sponsored by:   Wednesday, February 25 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online REGISTER 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. Sponsored by: Wednesday, March 18 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online REGISTER Webinar: Our Circular Future Join Bureau Veritas as they discuss the necessary enablers and challenges as we head towards a circular economy in the textile space. From design, manufacturing, marketing, and retail every step in the process has an important part to play. In this webinar, we will discuss the concepts and some examples of how these are being applied today in our industry.  Sponsored by: Monday, March 23 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online REGISTER Webinar: Mastering Covered Material Categories for EPR Savings Packaging EPR laws are forcing apparel and footwear brands to rethink how they classify every box, bag, and label. In this webinar, RLG’s EPR compliance and packaging data experts will demystify Covered Material Categories (CMC) and show how your choices drive both risk and cost.   In this webinar, you will see how CMC definitions shift across jurisdictions, walk through real-world classification scenarios, and learn tactics to streamline data management. Leave with practical strategies to map packaging materials correctly, minimize EPR fees, and submit defensible reports with confidence. Sponsored by: Wednesday, March 25 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online REGISTER Webinar: From Risk to Readiness: Managing Hazardous Solvents Across Textile Supply Chains While the risks of CMR solvents are well documented, including in AAFA’s recently updated Restricted Substances List, managing them effectively remains challenging due to legacy processes, performance requirements, and the need for greater visibility beyond Tier 1 suppliers.   This webinar provides a practical overview of how solvent risks enter textile supply chains (e.g., coating, laminating, printing, and finishing processes upstream in the supply chain), why traditional downstream controls are often can be insufficient, and what effective management looks like at the process and system level. Sponsored by: Wednesday, April 1 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online REGISTER Webinar: The Contract-to-Cash Playbook: Reducing Freight Cost Leakage As margin pressure and tariff volatility continue to reshape global trade, importers are placing greater focus on what happens after contracts are signed. This educational session explores how leading importers are strengthening contract-to-cash discipline across international freight operations.   In this webinar, attendees will gain a practical framework for identifying where cost leakage occurs, prioritizing process improvements, and applying these practices within their own international supply chains. Sponsored by: 2026 Events Calendar Brand Building with AAFA 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. 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. PRIORITIES | SOLUTIONS | ACCESS | ABOUT | EVENTS Copyright © 2026 American Apparel & Footwear Association