United States

Hazardous chemicals known as PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been found in 65% of samples of children's textiles in North America. Since an estimated 20% of public schools in the US require students to wear uniforms, this could mean that millions of children could be at risk of exposure to the toxic compounds.

The US House introduction of the Credit Card Competition Act to check skyrocketing swipe fees has been welcomed by industry associations. The bill addresses “swipe” fees averaging over 2% of the transaction that banks and card networks charge merchants to process credit card transactions.

With the annual inflation rate in the United States jumping to 8.3% in August, almost 83% consumers have been impacted by shortages in the supply chain, and as many as 63% consumers have either been buying less clothes or have deferred purchases altogether.

The US Department of Agriculture has granted $30 million to support the expansion of climate-smart wool and cotton production on 135 farms and ranches spread across 2.1 million acres.

Trying out clothes at Walmart just got more interesting and compelling as its new virtual try-on technology — Be Your Own Model — allows customers to use their own photo to better visualise how clothing will look on them.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected the US Cotton Trust Protocol to lead the US Climate Smart Cotton Program with a funding ceiling of $90 million. This will be one of the 70 projects selected under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity.

Global strategy consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is set to acquire Quantis to further strengthen climate and sustainability (C&S) expertise and transformation capability. Together, BCG and Quantis intend to "lead the global transformation toward a new planetary economy" in which business gives nature a seat at the table.

The founder of outdoor clothing brand Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, has given away his company in an effort to do  more for the planet. The Chouinard family has transferred ownership to two new entities: Patagonia Purpose Trust and the Holdfast Collective. Every dollar not reinvested back into Patagonia will be distributed as dividends to protect the planet.

The State of New York will give $10 million to projects focusing on industry challenges and opportunities, with priority given to those involving the use of state crops and material inputs, and cultivating technology that accelerates sustainability in the fashion and textiles industry.

A survey of 19,000 consumers across the US, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, China, India and Brazil, has found that consumers are not paying a premium for "sustainable" products yet. About 70% admitted to feeling wary of corporate sustainability claims and commitments.