PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Congressional Research Service
No official summary is available in the imported record yet.
People & committees
Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] · D–IL
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Mar 13, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2025-02-12 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The proposed Voluntary Sustainable Apparel Labeling Act would create an optional federal labeling program for clothing sellers. Labels would give shoppers numerical information about greenhouse gas emissions across a garment’s life, including production, use and disposal, verified under Environmental Protection Agency requirements. Participation would depend on expected compliance with program rules, rather than an assessment of the garment’s environmental benefits. Sellers could also make voluntary commitments to reduce emissions.
This Act may be cited as the Voluntary Sustainable Apparel Labeling Act.
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (in this section referred to as the Administrator) shall carry out a voluntary sustainable apparel labeling program
any person that sells an article of apparel may submit an application to the Administrator to enter the article of apparel into the labeling program
(A) on the basis of whether the Administrator believes the person submitting the application will adhere to the requirements of the labeling program; and (B) not on the basis of an assessment of the benefits to the environment associated with the article of apparel
convey a numerical summary of the best available information regarding the total greenhouse gas emissions released throughout the full life cycle of the participating article of apparel and its input materials
convey the fact that the information on the apparel sustainability label has been verified under requirements established by the Environmental Protection Agency
a participant may agree to— (A) a voluntary commitment to reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions released throughout the full life cycle of participating articles of apparel and their input materials
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would run the program in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Trade Commission. EPA would have to finalize program regulations within two years after enactment.
(2) Consultation The Administrator shall establish and operate the labeling program in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Federal Trade Commission. (3) Regulations Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall finalize regulations to carry out the labeling program.
Any clothing seller could apply to have an item included. EPA would specify the application information and decide whether the applicant would follow program requirements; admission would not be based on an assessment of the item’s environmental benefits.
(1) any person that sells an article of apparel may submit an application to the Administrator to enter the article of apparel into the labeling program; (2) the Administrator shall specify the information to be included in an application under paragraph (1); (3) the Administrator shall review any application submitted under paragraph (1) and make a determination regarding whether to include the article of apparel in the labeling program— (A) on the basis of whether the Administrator believes the person submitting the application will adhere to the requirements of the labeling program; and (B) not on the basis of an assessment of the benefits to the environment associated with the article of apparel
An approved participant could attach the sustainability label to the clothing item or to packaging used solely to contain it. If the participant were the manufacturer rather than the retailer selling to the final consumer, the label would have to make that clear.
may attach a label (referred to in this section as the apparel sustainability label) to— (A) the participating article of apparel; or (B) packaging used for the sole purpose of containing the participating article of apparel
if the participant is the manufacturer of the participating article of apparel, and not the retail establishment selling the participating article of apparel to the end consumer, this fact shall be made clear on the apparel sustainability label
EPA would design the label to help shoppers at the point of sale. It would give numerical information without declaring an item acceptable or unacceptable, identify verification under EPA requirements and include a program logo. Only information and images specified by EPA could appear.
(A) convey the information described in paragraph (6) to the consumer in a manner that is determined by the Administrator to be most useful to the consumer at the point of sale in making apparel purchasing decisions; (B) not convey that any given article of apparel is acceptable or unacceptable, but instead provide the consumer a numerical quantification of the information described in paragraph (6); (C) employ words, numbers, and imagery, as specified by the Administrator; (D) convey the fact that the information on the apparel sustainability label has been verified under requirements established by the Environmental Protection Agency; and (E) include a logo to help the consumer identify the label as being associated with the labeling program
no information or imagery shall be included on the apparel sustainability label that has not been specified by the Administrator pursuant to paragraphs (5) and (6)
The label’s emissions summary would use the best available information about the clothing item and its materials across their full life cycle. This would cover agricultural inputs, manufacturing, packaging, transport, storage, retail display, consumer washing and preparation, and eventual reuse, recycling, treatment or disposal, plus other life-cycle sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
convey a numerical summary of the best available information regarding the total greenhouse gas emissions released throughout the full life cycle of the participating article of apparel and its input materials, including in association with— (i) growing of plant fibers and other agricultural inputs; (ii) manufacture of the nonagricultural input materials; (iii) manufacture of the participating article of apparel; (iv) packaging; (v) transportation of the input materials and the participating article of apparel; (vi) storage; (vii) presentation in a retail apparel establishment; (viii) consumer use, including the energy used to— (I) wash the participating article of apparel; and (II) prepare the participating article of apparel for use, including by ironing or pressing; (ix) end-of-life reuse, recycling, treatment, and disposal of the participating article of apparel and its packaging; and (x) any other aspect of the full life cycle of the participating article of apparel associated with greenhouse gas emissions
Labels would summarize any reported voluntary commitment and provide immediate electronic access at the point of sale through a quick response (QR) code or similar mechanism. The linked material would include complete emissions and commitment information, the program database and other information EPA considers relevant to consumers.
(B) convey a summary of the voluntary commitment made regarding the participating article of apparel, as reported under subsection (c)(1); and (C) provide electronic access immediately available to the consumer at the point of sale through a quick response (QR) code or similar mechanism to additional information relevant to the consumer, which shall include— (i) the complete information described in subparagraph (A) regarding the participating article of apparel; (ii) the complete information provided under subsection (c)(1) regarding the participating article of apparel; (iii) the database established under subsection (d); and (iv) such other information as the Administrator determines to be relevant to the consumer
At a participant’s request, reporting responsibilities would be split: the participant would report agricultural inputs, manufacturing, packaging and transport, while EPA would estimate storage, retail display, consumer use and end-of-life emissions based on typical use. The label would have to distinguish these information sources.
if requested by a participant, the information pertaining to the participating article of apparel that is conveyed under paragraph (6)(A) shall be divided into— (A) information identified under clauses (i) through (v) of paragraph (6)(A), for which the participant shall be responsible for reporting; and (B) information identified under clauses (vi) through (ix) of paragraph (6)(A), for which the Administrator shall be responsible for estimating on the basis of the typical use of the participating article of apparel
(i) growing of plant fibers and other agricultural inputs; (ii) manufacture of the nonagricultural input materials; (iii) manufacture of the participating article of apparel; (iv) packaging; (v) transportation of the input materials and the participating article of apparel; (vi) storage; (vii) presentation in a retail apparel establishment; (viii) consumer use
(ix) end-of-life reuse, recycling, treatment, and disposal of the participating article of apparel and its packaging
the distinction between the sources of information referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (8) shall be made clear on the apparel sustainability label
EPA would establish verification methods using uniform information-collection and analysis standards for all participating clothing items and the best available science. It would also set qualifications and certify organizations to measure, monitor, verify and report the information.
the Administrator shall establish the method by which the information included on the apparel sustainability label shall be verified, which verification shall— (A) be conducted in accordance with uniform standards for the collection and analysis of the information for all participating articles of apparel; (B) require the use of the best available scientific information; (C) specify the requirements for entities to be authorized to measure, monitor, verify, and report the information
the Administrator shall establish a program by which entities shall be certified to perform the activities under paragraph (11)(C)
Verification methods would draw on international standards for measuring emissions across a product’s life, including International Organization for Standardization standards 14040 and 14044 and the listed Greenhouse Gas Protocol materials. They would also be informed by and generally align with current apparel-industry validation practices.
(D) be informed by the established international standards for carbon accounting for product life cycle assessment, including— (i) the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards of the International Organization for Standardization; and (ii) protocols established under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol program of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute, including— (I) the GHG Protocol for Product Accounting and Reporting; and (II) Publicly Available Specification 2050; and (E) be informed by and generally align with the current best practices for validating such information in the apparel industry
EPA would have to consult an expert advisory panel when setting label design and information requirements. It could use a federal advisory committee or negotiated rulemaking, a process for developing rules through negotiation. Eligible stakeholders would include suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, verification organizations, colleges and universities, consumer organizations and other EPA-designated experts.
in establishing the requirements described in paragraphs (5), (6), and (10), the Administrator— (A) shall consult with an expert advisory panel composed of apparel industry stakeholders; and (B) may consult with such panel either— (i) by establishing a Federal advisory committee under chapter 10 of part I of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Federal Advisory Committee Act); or (ii) through a negotiated rulemaking under subchapter III of part I of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Negotiated Rulemaking Act)
The term apparel industry stakeholders means— (A) suppliers and vendors of apparel manufacturers; (B) apparel manufacturers; (C) retail apparel establishments; (D) entities that measure, monitor, verify, and report information described under subsection (b)(6); (E) institutions of higher education; (F) consumer organizations; and (G) other experts, as determined by the Administrator.
Starting seven years after enactment and every five years afterward, EPA would report on the program’s effectiveness in giving consumers useful information and reducing clothing-related emissions. It would review and revise regulations to improve effectiveness and send Congress recommended statutory changes. These are evaluation objectives, not evidence that emissions would fall.
beginning 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall— (A) publish a report on the effectiveness, as determined by the Administrator, of the labeling program in achieving objectives, including such effectiveness in— (i) providing consumers information that consumers find useful; and (ii) reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with apparel throughout the full life cycle as described in paragraph (6)(A); (B) review and revise the regulations under this section to increase such effectiveness, as determined by the Administrator, of the labeling program with respect to the two objectives listed in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A); and (C) report to the Congress any recommendations for amendments to this section that, in the determination of the Administrator, would improve such effectiveness
EPA would provide technical assistance, including through consultants, to participants, prospective participants and organizations seeking certification. Assistance would cover reporting, participation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
the Administrator shall provide technical assistance, including through consultants, in reporting information as required in accordance with the labeling program, otherwise participating in the labeling program, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to— (A) participants; (B) entities seeking to become participants; and (C) entities seeking to become certified under paragraph (13)
Within two years after enactment, EPA would establish a program through which participants could voluntarily commit to reducing life-cycle emissions and publicly sharing sustainability information, including on their websites. EPA would determine whether that information rests on the best available science.
(1) In general The Administrator shall carry out a program under which a participant may agree to— (A) a voluntary commitment to reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions released throughout the full life cycle of participating articles of apparel and their input materials, as described in subsection (b)(6)(A); and (B) make publicly available, including on the participant’s website, sustainability information pertaining to the participant or the participating article of apparel that is determined by the Administrator to be based on the best available scientific information. (2) Establishment Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish the program required by paragraph (1).
EPA would encourage voluntary commitments and help participants make them. The voluntary-commitments subsection expressly would not authorize EPA to impose a mandate.
(3) Encouragement; technical assistance The Administrator shall encourage participants, and provide technical assistance to participants, to agree to voluntary commitments under this subsection. (4) No mandate This subsection does not authorize the Administrator to impose any mandate.
Within two years after enactment, EPA would create a database accessible to consumers and apparel stakeholders. It would explain program objectives and methods, provide participating-item information and voluntary commitments, and include other available sustainability information EPA considers useful and scientifically supported.
(d) Database Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a database to provide easy access to consumers and apparel industry stakeholders to information pertaining to the labeling program, including— (1) explanations of the objectives and the methodologies of the Administrator in establishing the requirements described in subsection (b); (2) the information described in subsection (b)(6) with respect to each participating article of apparel; (3) the voluntary commitments of each participant as reported under subsection (c); and (4) any additional available information on the sustainability of apparel that the Administrator determines to be— (A) useful to the consumer and apparel industry stakeholders; and (B) based on the best scientifically available information.
Within three years after enactment, EPA would establish consumer outreach. It would give clothing retailers educational materials and technical assistance and reach the public through methods including public service announcements and advertising.
(e) Consumer outreach (1) Program Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a program to inform consumers about the labeling program. (2) Requirements The consumer outreach program established under paragraph (1) shall— (A) provide retail apparel establishments educational materials and other information to be conveyed to consumers regarding the labeling program; (B) provide technical assistance to retail apparel establishments regarding the labeling program and the materials and information described in subparagraph (A); and (C) reach the public through a wide range of means, including public service announcements and advertising.
Although the penalties subsection is titled “Penalties for fraudulent use of label,” its operative language would require anyone violating a requirement of section 2 to pay a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation.
(f) Penalties for fraudulent use of label (1) In general Any person that violates a requirement of this section shall forfeit and pay to the United States a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such violation.
Each separate violation would count as a separate offense. For a continuing failure or neglect to obey an EPA order under section 2, each day would count separately. Federal district courts could issue orders requiring action and other appropriate nonmonetary relief in civil cases under the section.
(2) Separate violations Each separate violation of a requirement of this section shall be a separate offense, except that in a case of a violation through continuing failure to obey or neglect to obey an order by the Administrator under this section, each day of continuance of such failure or neglect shall be deemed a separate offense. (3) Equitable relief In a civil action brought under this section, the United States district courts are empowered to grant mandatory injunctions and such other equitable relief as such courts deem appropriate.
The bill’s greenhouse-gas definition would include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and specified fluorinated gases. Its catch-all category for other fluorocarbons would exclude those with vapor pressure below 1 millimeter of mercury absolute at 25 degrees Celsius. An emission would mean release of a covered gas into the surrounding air.
The term greenhouse gas includes each of the following: (A) Carbon dioxide. (B) Methane. (C) Nitrous oxide. (D) Sulfur hexafluoride. (E) Any hydrofluorocarbon. (F) Any perfluorocarbon. (G) Nitrogen trifluoride. (H) Any fully fluorinated linear, branched, or cyclic— (i) alkane; (ii) ether; (iii) tertiary amine; or (iv) aminoether. (I) Any perfluoropolyether. (J) Any hydrofluoropolyether. (K) Any other fluorocarbon, except for a fluorocarbon with a vapor pressure of less than 1 mm of Hg absolute at 25 degrees Celsius.
The term greenhouse gas emission means the release of a greenhouse gas into the ambient air.
For this program, a “retail apparel establishment” would mean any person selling a clothing item to a consumer.
The term retail apparel establishment means a person that sells an article of apparel to a consumer.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated March 13, 2025, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on February 12, 2025. That snapshot does not establish the bill’s subsequent progress or enactment status.
Source snapshot updated 2025-03-13T13:30:27Z. 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2025-02-12. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy change attached to appropriations was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for a particular recipient or place was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version; the bundle does not establish formal earmark status through accompanying disclosures or reports.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
None identified in the reviewed text
No materially narrow preferential benefit, special exemption or carve-out was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. Generally available participation options and routine program assistance do not alone constitute targeted benefits. This conclusion does not extend to other versions or accompanying materials.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Mar 13, 2025. How PlainBill uses AI