Published January 2024

 Like all modern industries, the fashion sector is recognizing that sustainability is key. However, due to recent and proposed legislation in the United States and Europe, certain practices will soon become mandatory. SOURCING at MAGIC—through our verified exhibitor program in partnership with Hey Social Good— provides crucial insights into economic impact and upcoming legislative directives that will most likely influence business operations in the near future. Additionally, it addresses consumer interest in sustainability and establishes a dependable standard for buyers when considering new companies as sourcing options.

 LAYING DOWN THE LAW
Governments have been getting the message that a dynamic approach to sustainability is not only good for the environment and for the community, it’s also good for business. Once legislation has passed, companies will be forced to comply with policies that, for now, are only voluntary and based on the goodwill of company management.  
The Sustainability and Social Accountability Act is proposed New York State legislation, that will hold fashion retailers and manufacturers accountable for the social and environmental impacts across their supply chains. According to Dr. Cindy J. Lin, CEO + Co-Founder of Hey Social Good and Sustainability and Environmental Impact Advisor, “The Act is currently in committee discussion and will likely be voted on at some point in the next six months or so. Based on my regulatory and policy experience, this act has a high probability of being passed. There are still a lot of details to be hammered out, but, regardless of its passing, the Act is already having the effect of making companies re-evaluate their operations and working in due diligence.”
The FABRIC Act (Fashion Accountability and Building Real Institutional Change Act) is a proposed federal bill written to protect U.S. garment workers and revitalize the domestic garment industry by improving working conditions, reforming the piece rate pay scale, and investing in domestic apparel production. This proposed bill is also currently in committee discussion and is very similar to recent California legislation, which was made law. Dr. Lin also believes this bill will pass easily.
“More and more brands, from top retailers to startups, have been looking for sustainability initiatives from the companies in their supply chains,” says SOURCING at MAGIC’s Vice President Andreu David. “When we first instituted our verification program, it was about filling a gap in the market. We could see that all industries—not just the apparel and fashion sector—were moving towards regulation. Now that we’re seeing industry-supported legislation on the horizon, the need is validated and imperative. Not only has the program given more visibility to sustainable exhibitors, it also provides verified direction for buyers looking for sustainable options.” 

A VISION OF GREEN
For the past two years, the verification program has been available to exhibitors participating in SOURCING at MAGIC. Providing exhibitors with a straightforward method to assure potential customers that their sustainability claims are both valid and up-to-date, the program demonstrates a proactive stance on their practices, rather than waiting for legislative mandates.
“When we first entertained the concept of an exhibitor verification program with Hey Social Good, it was just a vision, an idea,” says David. “Two years into our program and we are now seeing how the demand for sustainability has been hitting all industries; its really validating. 
“Unfortunately, with that interest comes a lot of greenwashing. Some manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon just to be on-trend, making sustainability claims they can’t substantiate. This makes what we do even more crucial.” David continues, “exhibitors interested in being verified by our program have grown by 50% every season."

BRIDGING THE GAP 
While there’s a great deal of interest in sustainability within the apparel manufacturing community at large, consumer interest may be lagging. David points out that SOURCING at MAGIC is the only event of its kind that offers sustainability verification, but is that sufficient motivation for companies to change their practices? 
“It's the chicken before the egg, right? If the only option offered is convenience, that’s what consumers will choose. But if it’s shown that it’s convenience versus your livelihood, your health, your future, and the future of your family and children, then people will make smarter choices. As an industry, we have to educate and inform consumers. We've done it with food. We know that what we eat and what we consume is important, so we choose healthier options. We need to make the connection and make it personal. Right now, the impacts of clothing and apparel manufacturing are removed from us and we don't realize the harm that it is doing,” David reasons.

REACHING THE GOAL 
“Our goal is to support the entire fashion industry in the transition to becoming more conscious of their environmental impact and ultimately create a more ethical and sustainable fashion ecosystem,” says David. “The system that we have created verifies exhibitors based off specific and standardized data points. We are the first and only show to offer a verification process for our exhibitors which we hope will inspire others to become more intentional when it comes to their ethical and environmental practice.”