The bill seeks to mitigate the environmental impacts of the fashion industry in Washington State by implementing new regulations for fashion producers and sellers. Starting January 1, 2027, producers will be required to disclose various environmental impacts of their products, including the use of high-priority chemicals and sustainability-related marketing terms. Additionally, producers with a gross income exceeding $100 million must provide detailed information on their environmental due diligence policies and working conditions. To enforce these regulations, the bill establishes the Community Environmental and Public Health Improvement Account, funded by penalties imposed on non-compliant producers, and outlines civil penalties for violations, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses.

Moreover, the bill introduces amendments to existing laws concerning penalties for environmental violations and expands reporting requirements for manufacturers of products containing priority chemicals to include footwear and wearing apparel. It establishes the "Washington Fashion Sustainability Accountability Act," which enhances accountability in the fashion industry regarding hazardous chemicals by requiring manufacturers to notify the Department of Ecology about the presence of high-priority chemicals in their products. The legislation also includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70A.430.060