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Environmental Sustainability Is Fashionable, But New Bill Presents Hurdles to Industry

By Zackary D. Knaub, Laura Siegel Rabinowitz & Jane McLaughlin on January 13, 2022
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On the heels of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address, in which she endorsed a suite of progressive environmental policies including product stewardship laws governing the paper and packaging industry, the New York Legislature has introduced a bill targeting environmental sustainability disclosures in the fashion and apparel industry. The Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act (A.8352/S.7428) would require fashion retailers and manufacturers to disclose environmental and social due diligence policies and allows citizen lawsuits to enforce the terms of the proposed legislation.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) measures have become au courant in a wide range of industries, and “greenwashing” – the conveyance of a false impression of environmental sustainability practices – poses risk to businesses and the public. As the 2022 legislative session moves into full swing, lawmakers have targeted ESG practices in the apparel industry with the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, which would require fashion retailers to disclose the environmental and social impacts of their business practices. Specifically, every fashion retailer or manufacturer operating in New York and having worldwide gross receipts exceeding $100 million would be required to disclose their environmental and social “due diligence” policies throughout the supply chain. “Due diligence” policies refer to the mitigation strategies to address adverse impacts recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations guiding principles for business and human rights. Covered retailers would be required to disclose their due diligence practices on their website within a year of enactment of the bill.

As ESG practices have proliferated over the past several years, environmental sustainability has become a cornerstone of manufacturer and retailer marketing efforts. The bill would require that covered retailers identify greenhouse gas emission, water, and chemical management reduction targets within 18 months of enactment of the due diligence policies.

In addition, retailers would have to account for the use of recycled materials in their products and disclose how median wages for prioritized suppliers compare to local minimum wage and living wages. The bill would further require fashion retailers and manufacturers to map at least 50% of their supply chains, from raw materials to vendor and shipping information. Annual volume of material type produced – for example, polyester, cotton, or leather – and median worker wages would also be required. All of that information would be made available online. Two major concerns for fashion companies would be the onerous reporting requirements and the typically confidential supply chain information which, the language of the bill suggests, would be publicly available without any exemption for confidential information or trade secret protection.

Both the attorney general and citizens would be able to enforce the proposed law. The attorney general would be able to seek up to 2% of revenues of $450 million or more from companies that violate the law, and any citizen would be able to file suit against a noncompliant retailer or seek to compel the attorney general to investigate noncompliance and enforce the proposed law. The fines would be deposited into a community benefit fund to be used towards projects benefiting environmental justice communities.

Similar laws have proven problematic in states such as California, where citizen enforcement has given rise to an industry of plaintiffs’ attorneys and litigation over environmental disclosures has become commonplace. At the same time, the rise of ESG policies without regulation poses risks to consumers and market participants. Whether this bill strikes the policy balance that New York lawmakers want remains to be seen. The fashion, apparel, and retail industry should keep a close eye on this bill during the 2022 legislative session, given the litigation and business risks it poses, including potential supply chain disruptions and disclosure of confidential trade secrets.

Photo of Zackary D. Knaub Zackary D. Knaub

Zackary D. Knaub brings deep New York government experience to his Environmental and Government Law & Policy practices. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Zackary served as Interim Chief Counsel and First Assistant Counsel to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and before that, as Assistant…

Zackary D. Knaub brings deep New York government experience to his Environmental and Government Law & Policy practices. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, Zackary served as Interim Chief Counsel and First Assistant Counsel to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and before that, as Assistant Counsel to the Governor for Energy and the Environment. In these roles, Zackary advised Governor Cuomo and his administration on all legal issues related to executive actions, policies, and legislative initiatives. He coordinated the legal affairs and operations of over 100 State Executive Agencies, State Authorities, Public Benefit Corporations, and boards, and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Governor’s Counsel. Zackary managed the development and negotiation of major legislation and gubernatorial initiatives. He supervised negotiations of all legislation in the Governor’s annual $175 Billion state budget and managed outside counsel in litigation. His public relations experience includes advising press and operations staff on crisis management strategies and public messaging of complex legal and policy initiatives.

Zackary has also defended and prosecuted environmental and commercial cases in state and federal courts, and before administrative tribunals, arbitration panels, and mediators for a wide range of businesses in areas of law including federal and state environmental laws, intellectual property, Federal Acquisitions Regulations, employment law and policy, insurance coverage, and environmental risk management.

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Photo of Laura Siegel Rabinowitz Laura Siegel Rabinowitz

Laura Siegel Rabinowitz counsels domestic and multinational businesses on complex supply chain issues and other complicated challenges associated with trade, advising on mitigation of duty exposure and compliance. Laura has deep experience handling international trade projects for clients, including multinational importers, exporters, manufacturers…

Laura Siegel Rabinowitz counsels domestic and multinational businesses on complex supply chain issues and other complicated challenges associated with trade, advising on mitigation of duty exposure and compliance. Laura has deep experience handling international trade projects for clients, including multinational importers, exporters, manufacturers, retailers, customs brokers, and freight forwarders.

Laura advises clients on mitigating tariffs on Chinese-made products and steel and aluminum and helps clients navigate the maze of regulations, customs, and other government agency scrutiny, as well as the broad array of commercial and enforcement laws and policies administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including trade compliance and audit programs, and duty savings initiatives such as free trade agreements and the use of “first sale.” Laura’s practice also includes advising on the enforcement of antidumping and countervailing duties.

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Photo of Jane McLaughlin Jane McLaughlin

Jane McLaughlin has extensive governmental and legislative experience, having served as Director of Legislative Affairs in the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Legislative Counsel in the New York State Department of Health, and as Legislative Counsel and Committee Director in the New…

Jane McLaughlin has extensive governmental and legislative experience, having served as Director of Legislative Affairs in the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Legislative Counsel in the New York State Department of Health, and as Legislative Counsel and Committee Director in the New York State Senate. Jane has also served as counsel to the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officers (NYCOM), working on various matters pertaining to municipal government. She has worked on a wide variety of matters and legislation, including matters involving the environment, health care, procurement, telecommunications, election law, and water/sewer law.

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  • Posted in:
    Energy, Environmental
  • Blog:
    E2 Law Blog
  • Organization:
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  • Article: View Original Source

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