U.S. Customs and Border Protection will accept public input through 30 November on separate proposals to modify the tariff classifications of certain women’s pants and video goggles.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on 31 October that a major Hong Kong textile and apparel company and two of its mainland China-based subsidiaries have been added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List for sourcing cotton from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Accordingly, effective 1 November goods produced by these entities are prohibited from entering the U.S.

Changes to the tariff classification of certain textile fabrics and pillows that were adopted recently by CBP means that imports of these products entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after 9 December will benefit from lower duties.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) published, last month, a briefing that outlines the impact of the ongoing move to restrict the use of polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) on the textile industry. This briefing is supported by a larger report commissioned for the EEA and is in line with research undertaken by other agencies, such as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

California Governor Gavin Newsom on 28 September signed into law groundbreaking legislation that establishes the first extended producer responsibility textile, apparel and footwear recycling programme in the United States.

Indonesia has extended safeguard duties on imported textile items through two new regulations to protect the local textile industry. The three-year extensions are specified in Finance Regulation (PMK) No. 48/2024 for fabric products and PMK No. 49/2024 for carpets and other textile coverings. They come into effect from 9 August 2024 and 20 August 2024, respectively.

It was reported on 22 August 2024 that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has identified a potential need for group restrictions of aziridines, a class of substances used in the production of adhesives, sealants, paints, dyes, and leather. These restrictions may be necessary if the chemicals are found to pose risks to human health. Hong Kong producers of products destined for the EU market will, in turn, have to comply with any future restrictions’ terms as laid down in EU legislation.

The European Parliament has recently published a study entitled “Digital product passport for the textile sector”. It notes that a European digital product passport (DPP) could enhance textile industry traceability, circularity, and transparency. The study is relevant because the DPP will become a mandatory requirement, by means of a future regulation covering the ecodesign of textile products, to electronically register, process and share product-related information amongst supply chain businesses, authorities (including the EU’s customs authorities for imports) and consumers.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced a process for importers, exporters, domestic producers and other interested parties to comment on a potential safeguard on imports of fine denier polyester staple fibre.

The European Union (EU) devised the European Green Deal strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Introduced in December 2019, the strategy outlines goals for policy development, focusing on a roadmap toward a sustainable and inclusive economy. It prioritises tackling climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality. Central to this strategy are reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, boosting energy efficiency, promoting clean and circular economies, and safeguarding biodiversity.