California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill expanding recordkeeping requirements for recycled-content claims for apparel and other products. He cited concerns that the additional administrative burden would further strain manufacturers and suppliers already navigating federal tariffs and shifting trade policies.
Newsom rejected AB 2253 on Sept. 27. The measure, authored by Democratic Assemblymember Tasha Boerner of Encinitas and sponsored by Californians Against Waste, was promoted as the Protecting Consumers Against Greenwashing Act.
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Beginning Jan. 1, 2030, it would have extended requirements now aimed at plastic food containers to all products carrying voluntary recycled-content claims on physical labels or digital product labels for online sales.
Manufacturers and suppliers would have had to keep written records backing up recycled-fiber claims on clothing labels. The bill did not set a minimum recycled-content percentage.
Newsom said he supported the goal of accurate environmental marketing but objected to the additional compliance demands.
“I share the author’s goal of ensuring that environmental marketing claims are accurate and that consumers can trust the products they buy,” he wrote in his veto message. “However, I am concerned that expanding these documentation requirements will unduly burden manufacturers and suppliers already facing economic headwinds caused by federal tariff and trade policy actions.”
“Adding new, complex compliance requirements at this time risks compounding those pressures, with little benefit to consumers,” he added.
Boerner’s office framed the proposal as a way to protect shoppers who pay more for products they believe offer environmental benefits.
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