American Apparel & Footwear Association,update

 

Wednesday, June 17 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET | Online Register Webinar: How Reliable Risk Intelligence Drives Forced Labor Detection Join Kharon and AAFA for a technical deep dive into the evolving landscape of forced labor compliance. This session moves beyond high-level theory to examine the data-driven strategies necessary for identifying supply chain exposure to forced labor risk in complex and opaque jurisdictions. We will discuss methods for uncovering high-risk entities that often remain invisible to traditional risk assessments, as well as some of the operational considerations, like interoperability with existing traceability solutions and testing protocols. Risk detection and mitigation can be immensely time-consuming, increasing the importance of reducing noise and ensuring that alerts are credible and actionable. Attendees of this webinar will learn: How forced labor risk continues to evolve, even four years after the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) took effect. The realistic level of visibility and knowledge to gain about forced labor risks within their supply chain. How systems should work together to ensure attention is devoted to the highest-priority risks.  Speaker: AAFA Host: Ethan Woolley Global Director of Strategy Kharon Audrey Clark Trade and Transportation Specialist AAFA Sponsored By: Our webinars provide the apparel and footwear industry with educational content focused on niche, innovative concepts and successful business practices. Contact AAFA Events for information about conducting an AAFA webinar. May 12, 2026   As World Trade Month continues, AAFA is keeping on the pulse of the Section 122 tariff ruling and updates with CAPE. All this and more are covered in today's brief!  SEC Works to Rescind Biden-Era Climate Disclosure Rule May 7: The SEC staff is preparing to rescind the rule at Chair Paul Atkins’ direction, the agency spokesperson said. A formal effort to ditch the rule this year was expected by ESG reporting experts, including Ropes & Gray Partner Michael Littenberg. Even with a formal rescission of the rule, companies will still face a complex climate risk disclosure landscape that includes domestic and international regulations. (Source: ESG Dive) EU Releases Proposed Finalized Mandatory and Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standards May 7: The European Commission announced the publication of new drafts of its proposed revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and Sustainability Reporting Standards for Voluntary Use, opening a consultation to finalize the adoption of its simplified sustainability reporting standards for large and small companies. (Source: ESG Today) At Long Last, California Publishes SB 54 EPR Rules May 4: Come 2032, producers must reduce their use of covered materials by 25%; ensure recycling rates of 65%; and ensure 100% recyclability or compostability for all single-use packaging and service ware. There are phased targets along the way. (Source: Packaging Dive) Fashion Confronts the Realities of Tariff Refunds May 11: ... Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), frames the burden in terms of resources. “The process will continue to require significant time and labor, which will disproportionately impact smaller businesses that are less likely to have these types of resources to spare,” he says. (Source: Vogue Business) Court Rules Against the Tariff Trump Enacted After Supreme Court Defeat May 7: ... “This raises basic questions about the administration’s strategy of taking old laws out of context and using them to try to nullify Congress’s constitutional authority over tariffs,” said Ed Gresser, vice president of the Progressive Policy Institute in D.C., who was a U.S. trade official during the first Trump administration. (Source: Washington Post) WATCH: Iran Focus at Trump-Xi Summit May Delay Progress on Tariffs, Rare Earths May 7: The Iran war is likely to take center stage in the summit between President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping, leaving less scope to resolve issues like tariffs and rare earth supplies. (Source: CNBC) Footwear and Apparel Groups Urge USTR Not to Pursue New Tariffs at Section 301 Hearing May 6: ... “This overly broad multi-country investigation seems more like an exercise to reach a pre-determined outcome, rather than a targeted investigation of specific practices,” American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) vice president of trade and customs policy Beth Hughes wrote in comments submitted to the USTR. (Source: Sourcing Journal) London Police Break Up TikTok Operation and Seize Counterfeit Fashion Goods May 11: ... In its “Unboxing Fake Fashion Releasing Real Dangers” report, the American Apparel & Footwear Association determined that 41 percent of the counterfeit apparel, footwear and accessories products that it tested failed product safety standards. In addition, the report claimed that at least 25 percent of the failed counterfeit products were purchased on or marketed through the Meta platform. (Source: WWD) AAFA Backs New Bill Targeting Counterfeit Goods at U.S. Borders  May 7: The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has urged the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a new anti-counterfeiting bill it says will enable brands to work with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to stop counterfeit goods entering American households. The proposed legislation, H.R. 4930, seeks to enhance CBP’s ability to share information with companies during intellectual property (IP) enforcement at borders. (Source: Just Style) OpenAI Launches Self-Serve Ad Platform May 5: OpenAI has launched a self-serve advertising platform, executives said, marking a significant step in its goal of generating $2.5 billion in ad revenue this year and $100 billion by 2030. Why it matters: The new platform makes it easier for a broader set of advertisers to buy ads on ChatGPT. (Source: Axios) A rainy day on Capitol Hill didn't stop AAFA members of the Trade and Customs Committee from talking #SmartTrade with legislators last week. Follow along for more from Beth and the team with #WorldTradeMonth  It's World Trade Month: In honor of World Trade Month, AAFA will highlight the world behind what you wear, where it begins, how it moves, and why it matters across our platforms throughout the month of May.    The effort to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) remains in key focus this month as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released the Federal Register Notice for Request for Comments on the Modernization of AGOA. AAFA will be submitting comments by May 15. Last week, the Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled against the Section 122 tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in February, a decision the administration has since appealed Friday, with a request that the injunction be stayed yesterday. Meanwhile, importers of record are beginning to receive Phase 1 tariff refunds through the CAPE process, while eagerly waiting to hear details and criteria for further phases. We are continuing to closely monitor both developments as they unfold.   For the latest updates, members can join AAFA's Trade and Customs Committee, Transportation Team, and tariff calls (register to join Monday, May 18). Talk to Beth Hughes or Maureen Storch to get involved.   Brands General Counsels Committee: Next month in New York City, the AAFA team and member brands will convene to learn about the latest issues impacting companies, discuss engagement and advocacy on issues, and share best practices on approaches to legal issues facing the industry. To participate in the Brands General Counsels Committee on June 2, please reach out to Nate Herman. Washingtonian Magazine’s “Most Influential” list:  Congratulations to AAFA’s President and CEO, Steve Lamar, for once again being included in Washingtonian Magazine’s “Most Influential” list among 500 business leaders in Washington, D.C. We are proud to have a strong leader representing our industry!  Member Welcome: Primark Primark is a leading international clothing retailer employing more than 80,000 team members in 18 countries – and growing. Primark was founded on a mission that everyone deserves to look and feel good – without paying more. We stand for great value without compromise, offering affordable fashion and everyday essentials that are made to last. Founded in Ireland in 1969, Primark is now an international fashion retailer with more than 470 stores across 18 countries in Europe, the US and the Middle East, employing more than 80,000 colleagues. Millions of shoppers trust Primark every week for everything from everyday essentials like t-shirts and socks, to the latest fashion trends – all at unbeatable prices.   Primark is built on a belief and passion for physical stores – helping to bring high streets and retail centres to life and creating joyful, social experiences. The company is focused on driving positive change by giving clothing a longer life, protecting life on the planet and supporting the livelihoods of the people who make Primark clothes. May-June   May 18 | Online: AAFA Member-Only Call on Tariffs* May 19 | Online: Implementing the AAFA Heat Guidance May 20 | Online: Monthly Member-Only Shipping Roundtable* May 20 | Online: Webinar: What’s Changing in ESG Compliance: A Guide for 2026 and Beyond May 27 | Online: Webinar: Beyond Compliance: Unlocking Value from Multi-Tier Traceability June 2 | In Person: Brands General Counsels Committee Meeting* June 15 | Online: Virtual Training: Sourcing Destinations Beyond the Top 5 Suppliers* June 17 | Online: Webinar: How Reliable Risk Intelligence Drives Forced Labor Detection June 17 | Online: Monthly Member-Only Shipping Roundtable* June 22 | Online: AAFA Member-Only Call on Tariffs*   *Member-only content 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

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