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119-hr-1239119th CongressWALLET

Voluntary Sustainable Apparel Labeling Act

Sponsored By: Representative Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

Introduced

Summary

A voluntary sustainable apparel labeling program would let apparel makers and sellers display verified, numerical life-cycle greenhouse gas information on products and packaging. The EPA would run the program in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Federal Trade Commission and would set label format, data rules, and verification standards.

Show full summary
  • Manufacturers and retail sellers could apply to include an article in the program and attach a label that reports a numerical total of greenhouse gas emissions across the article's full life cycle.
  • Shoppers would see a numerical emissions summary on the label and scan a QR code at the point of sale for full life-cycle data and any voluntary commitments reported by the brand.
  • EPA would require uniform, science-based verification aligned with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 and GHG Protocol standards and would certify entities that measure, verify, and report the information.
  • EPA would provide technical assistance, publish a program effectiveness report seven years after enactment and every five years after that, and revise rules to improve consumer usefulness and emissions reductions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Help and public info for labels

The EPA would create a public database within two years with methods, lifecycle data for each labeled item, and any reported commitments. Within two years, companies could join a voluntary program to commit to cut lifecycle emissions and to publish sustainability info. The EPA would offer technical help, including consultants, to participants and those seeking to join or get certified. Within three years, the EPA would run consumer outreach, using store materials, ads, and public service announcements. The EPA could not require these commitments.

Penalties for violations and program reviews

Violations of labeling rules could face civil fines up to $10,000 per violation, and each day can count as a separate offense. Courts could order compliance and other relief. Starting seven years after enactment, and every five years after, the EPA would report on effectiveness, update rules, and send any needed changes to Congress.

Rules for label data and verification

The EPA would set what the label must show and how it must look. Labels would show a number for total greenhouse gas emissions across the product’s full life and link to full data with a QR code. Labels would note when data came from the maker versus EPA estimates, and when the participant is the manufacturer, not the retailer. The EPA would set uniform verification methods and certify firms to measure and verify data, using international standards.

Voluntary EPA clothing label program

This bill would create a voluntary EPA label for clothing. The EPA would write the rules within two years of enactment, in consultation with Agriculture and the FTC. Any seller could apply to join; the EPA would decide based on whether you will follow program rules, not on the product’s claimed benefits. If accepted, you could put the label on the item or its packaging. The bill would also define who counts as stakeholders and which gases count as greenhouse gases.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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