California's textile EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) deadline is approaching fast. Businesses that produce or sell apparel and textiles in the state must register with the state-approved producer responsibility organization (PRO)—Landbell USA—by July 1, 2026. Failure to meet this deadline may result in violations under California law.
What the Responsible Textile Recovery Act Requires
The Responsible Textile Recovery Act was passed in 2024, making California the first U.S. state to establish a formal EPR framework for the textile and apparel sector. The law mandates that discarded textiles and apparel are reused, repaired, or recycled through an organized industry program. It marks a fundamental shift in how the state manages textile waste at the end of the product lifecycle.
Under the act, a producer is defined as a person who manufactures a covered product and owns or holds a license to the brand or trademark under which that product is sold or distributed in California. This definition captures both domestic manufacturers and international brands selling into the California market. For ongoing compliance updates, visit the textilezon.com Info Center.
Covered Products, Exemptions, and How to Register
The textile EPR program applies broadly across apparel and home textile product categories. Covered items include:
- Clothing and apparel accessories
- Curtains and fabric window coverings
- Knitted and woven accessories
- Towels, tapestries, and blankets
- Linens and pillows
Certain product categories are explicitly excluded from coverage. Personal protective equipment (PPE) worn for health or environmental hazard protection, U.S. military clothing, and some reusable healthcare products fall outside the program's scope. Businesses can verify their product status by consulting PRC sections 42984.3(a), (i), and (ae).
Landbell USA—a subsidiary of the global EPR compliance leader Landbell Group—was approved by CalRecycle as the state's PRO in February 2026. To register for the textile EPR program, visit register.landbellusa.com. Businesses should begin registration immediately to meet the July 1 deadline and avoid enforcement action.
CalRecycle Workshop and Industry Next Steps
CalRecycle will host a Textile Stewardship Informal Regulatory Concepts Workshop on August 13, 2026. The session will gather stakeholder feedback on regulatory concepts tied to the Responsible Textile Recovery Act's implementation requirements. Textile producers and industry representatives are encouraged to attend and help shape the final regulatory framework.
Details about the workshop are available on CalRecycle's public notices page. Engaging early positions businesses to influence how EPR regulations develop as the program matures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the registration deadline for California's textile EPR program?
The deadline is July 1, 2026. All businesses producing or selling covered textile and apparel products in California must complete registration with Landbell USA by this date to avoid potential violations under California state law.
Who qualifies as a producer under the Responsible Textile Recovery Act?
A producer is any entity that manufactures a covered product and owns or is the licensee of the brand or trademark under which that product is sold or distributed in California. This definition includes both domestic manufacturers and international brands with California sales channels.
What happens if a business fails to register by July 1, 2026?
Businesses that miss the registration deadline may face potential violations under California law, with oversight managed by CalRecycle. Non-compliance with state EPR programs can carry significant financial and reputational consequences for producers and sellers.
The Responsible Textile Recovery Act establishes a clear compliance requirement for all textile and apparel businesses with a California presence. Producers must register with Landbell USA by July 1, 2026, and should plan to engage with the August 13 CalRecycle workshop to stay ahead of further regulatory developments. Taking action now ensures your business remains compliant as textile EPR requirements continue to expand across the U.S. market.
