听The California Retailers Association, the American Apparel & Footwear Association and the National Retail Federation announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly establish an independent, 501(c)(3) Producer Responsibility Organization dedicated to ensuring that apparel and textiles are diverted from landfills. The newly formed organization will collect, repair, reuse and recycle materials after use in compliance with California鈥檚 first-in-the-nation Extended Producer Responsibility law for textiles.听
Signed into law in 2024, California鈥檚 SB 707 requires producers and importers of textiles to take responsibility for the end-of-life management by joining and funding a PRO. The PRO will develop and implement a plan to meet the requirements of the law, including the collection, transportation, repair, recycling and the safe and proper management of covered products. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery must approve a PRO by March 1, 2026, following a January 1, 2026, PRO application deadline.听
Collectively, the three associations represent thousands of businesses and potential producers and are actively engaging obligated producers to ensure strong leadership for the organization. The MOU formalizes the intent of the three associations to:听
- Establish an independent, producer-led PRO to represent and ensure compliance of all producers of apparel and textile articles covered under SB 707.听
- Collaborate effectively across the textile value chain, engaging and involving manufacturers, brands, retailers, collectors, sorters, recyclers, repair businesses and other parties that will drive innovation and maximize program impact.听
- Prepare the PRO to develop and implement an effective stewardship program that meets all requirements of the law and strengthens collection, repair, reuse and recycling infrastructure.听
鈥淐alifornia鈥檚 groundbreaking SB 707 positions our state as a national leader in responsible textile management. The California Retailers Association is proud to set the standard for innovation and collaboration in environmental sustainability. We are dedicated to guiding the implementation of this transformative law and to establishing a PRO that unites and empowers the wide array of producers selling textiles in California. Our commitment is to deliver real impact for our communities, our environment, and the future of retail in California,鈥� said Rachel Michelin, President, California Retailers Association听
鈥淭his partnership signals our industry鈥檚 commitment to collaborate in support of a circular transition. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from across our industry supply chain, we are launching an inclusive organization that is right for the California market and regulatory environment, establishing California as the standard for similar approaches nationwide,鈥� said Steve Lamar, President & CEO, American Apparel & Footwear Association.听
鈥淥ur associations have a shared commitment to ensuring the success of SB 707. Collectively, our members bring significant experience in PRO-building, EPR compliance and implementation to this effort. We look forward to working together to establish an organization that supports the entire producer community to meet the immediate needs in California and potential future needs if other states adopt similar approaches,鈥� said Stephanie Martz, Chief Administrative Officer and Legal Counsel, National Retail Federation.听