SB707 Compliance: A Guide for Apparel Producers and Brands

Understanding SB707: What it Means for the Textile Industry

The Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB707) is transforming the way textiles are managed in California. This law assigns specific responsibilities to textile producers, defined as any entity that manufactures or imports apparel or textile goods sold within the state. Producers include apparel brands, textile importers, and distributors who meet these criteria. SB707’s goal is to establish a transparent, accountable, and sustainable textile industry. Here’s how the new regulations impact qualifying producers:

• Enhanced Reporting: Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) will report on the lifecycle of textiles, including data on waste collected, recycled, and properly managed. Apparel brands working with PROs support these efforts by supplying essential waste data to ensure transparent reporting.
• Advanced Tracking: SB707 requires PROs to adopt systems that track textile waste from collection to recycling or disposal, reducing the industry’s environmental footprint. Apparel brands contribute data to this system as part of their collaboration with PROs.
• Circular Economy Focus: SB707 promotes reuse, repair, and recycling, encouraging brands to support sustainable practices and reduce textile waste.

Timeline for Compliance

To help apparel brands and producers make this transition smoothly, SB707 has set a phased compliance timeline:

• Initial Needs Assessment: By March 1, 2027, all PROs must submit an assessment of their recycling and waste management needs.
• Regulation and Plan Approval: CalRecycle will establish detailed regulations by July 1, 2028, and full compliance—including reporting and tracking—must be in place by July 1, 2030.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with SB707 has substantial penalties, particularly for producers and PROs:

• Fines and Penalties: Daily fines of up to $10,000, or $50,000 for intentional violations, encourage adherence to California’s waste standards.
• Operational and Reputational Impact: Non-compliance can lead to regulatory actions and impact a brand’s reputation with sustainability-focused customers and partners.

How FabricFeed Can Help

FabricFeed’s platform simplifies SB707 compliance for apparel brands, enabling you to:

• Find Recycling Partners: Connect with a network of recycling partners to ensure your brand’s waste management aligns with SB707.
• Manage Projects from a Single Platform: Oversee all your recycling projects and stay compliant from start to finish.
• Streamline Data Collection: FabricFeed’s real-time tracking and reporting tools make it easy to gather the data PROs need for compliance.

With FabricFeed, apparel brands can make the leap toward a sustainable, circular fashion ecosystem, keeping pace with SB707’s standards and leading the way in eco-conscious fashion. Let’s build a sustainable future together! ??