Audience:
Open industry. All apparel and footwear industry professionals, regardless of AAFA membership, are encouraged to participate.
Description:
Apparel and footwear companies are under increasing pressure to comply with a growing set of global regulations. From PFAS reporting under TSCA and REACH, to the New York Fashion Act and EU Digital Product Passports, requirements are evolving quickly—and demand consistent, reliable data from across the supply chain.
We’ll focus on what brands, retailers, and suppliers need to prepare: how to structure data for compliance, how to connect certification and testing information, and how to manage reporting across jurisdictions. We’ll also introduce the Global Textile Scheme (GTS) as one example of how the industry is beginning to organize and share data in a more systematic way. Attendees will gain a clearer picture of the data infrastructure needed to align with current and emerging laws.
Attendees of this webinar will learn:
- To identify the regulatory trends driving structured data and documentation requirements.
- The role of testing, certifications (like OEKO-TEX®), and supply chain inputs in compliance workflows.
- How shared data models—like GTS—can support traceability and reduce reporting burdens.
Speakers:
Andreas Schneider
CEO
Global Textile Scheme
Andreas R. Schneider is the Founder and CEO of the Global Textile Scheme Initiative, a cross-sector industry collaboration aimed at simplifying and standardizing data exchange across textile and fashion value chains. With a clear focus on sustainability, resilience and transparency, Andreas leads efforts to automate the flow of essential product information, from raw materials to end-of-life recycling. He is also closely involved in shaping the EU Digital Product Passport, helping to align industry practices with upcoming sustainability regulations. A recognized industry expert, Andreas actively participates in key steering committees such as GS1 Germany and The Consumer Goods Forum. He contributes to significant international standards like eBIZ, EPCIS, and RFID-based EPC Global, and plays a leading role in EU initiatives, including CIRPASS.
Jaime Griggs
Director of Brand Partnerships
Hohenstein
As a Director of Brand Partnerships at Hohenstein, Jaime Griggs builds collaborative relationships with brands, retailers and their suppliers. Together they create quality, chemical, regulatory and performance testing programs. Prior to joining Hohenstein in 2021, Jaime worked for 10 years managing design, production and quality programs throughout product life cycles at Geneva Watch Group. She brings experience in managing her own fashion quality programs to helping retailers and brands in managing theirs. Jaime holds a B.S. in Fashion Marketing & Merchandising from the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM College).
AAFA Host:
Conor O’Brien
Sustainability Policy Coordinator
AAFA
Conor O'Brien joined AAFA's policy team in 2024 as its Sustainability Policy Coordinator after completing his Masters in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University. Prior to joining AAFA, Conor worked for several years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Boston, where he engaged with RCRA compliance, state coordination, climate adaptation planning, and environmental justice application. Initially trained as a chemist at Princeton University, Conor combines scientific research with policy analysis and application to provide holistic approaches to sustainable resource usage in pursuit of a more circular economy. Conor supports the work of the AAFA Environmental Committee and AAFA Product Safety Council by engaging with public and private stakeholders on issues of sustainability, product safety, and chemical management germane to the apparel and footwear industry.
Unable to join on October 9?
Register for the webinar to receive an email containing the direct links to access the recording and the PDF version of the presentation. The email will be sent 1-3 business days after the webinar.
CONTACT | QUESTIONS
Stephanie Paendong