Textile Trade Under Pressure: What Global Policy Means for Your Business

How are international waste treaties and trade agreements redefining the rules for cross-border textile reuse? What do brands need to understand as definitions of “waste” evolve and sourcing requirements tighten?

As California’s textile EPR law takes shape, global policy is accelerating in parallel. The Basel Convention is weighing whether certain secondhand textiles should be classified as controlled waste, which could trigger export permit requirements and disrupt established reuse markets. UNEP is simultaneously working to define what qualifies as “textile waste” versus reusable goods, decisions that will determine what can legally cross borders. Trade dynamics are shifting too, as tariff structures and growing pressure from countries like China reshape global market access for used textiles. This session breaks down which policies matter most for your business and how to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving global landscape.