California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (aka SB 707) has already started to take effect, with Landbell USA named the producer responsibility organization for the program in February and producer registration required by July 1.

Two apparel industry-led coalitions also applied, and the American Apparel & Footwear Association has challenged the selection in a court filing alleging that Landbell USA does not meet the statutory requirements of the law because it was not formed by producers and is not a nonprofit. 

However, as of this writing, a California court denied the plaintffs’ motion for preliminary injunction while the case proceeds – meaning Landbell USA continues to operate as the state-approved PRO under the law, and the program continues to move forward.

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With SB 707 operations already underway, many questions remain for companies, particularly:

Who Is An Obligated Producer?

Landbell USA’s registration process includes an assessment to confirm whether an organization is an obligated producer. According to a page titled “SB 707 Compliance: Your Roadmap” on the PRO’s website, obligation under SB 707 generally follows this three-part hierarchy:

  • The brand owner is the primary obligated party if they have a U.S. presence.
  • If not, obligation falls to the importer.
  • The retailer may be obligated if neither the brand owner or importer is located in state.


“Physical presence in California is irrelevant,” according to a post by Brightest, a sustainability software, solutions and services provider. “If none of the above applies, the distributor, retailer or wholesaler selling the product in or into the state is obligated.”

Note: Firms with global annual aggregate turnover less than $1 million (or those that sell exclusively secondhand goods) are currently exempt. See the full text of SB 707 at §42984.3.(s)(1) for the detailed definition of “producer.”

What If I Missed The July 1 Deadline?

You can still register, and you should do so immediately to mitigate risk. The state considers a company’s “good-faith efforts” (including how quickly you register after discovering the oversight) when reviewing compliance.

Official producer penalties don’t take effect until stewardship plan approval or July 1, 2030, whichever comes first, so companies that haven’t yet registered can close the gap before formal enforcement begins.

What Qualifies As A Covered Product?

There are two broad categories to consider: “clothing & everyday apparel” and “textile articles.” Landbell USA defines them as follows:

  • “Apparel” means clothing and accessory items intended for regular wear or formal occasions and outdoor activities.
  • “Textile article” means an item made from a natural, artificial or synthetic fiber, yarn or fabric, such as blankets, curtains, knitted and woven accessories, towels, tablecloths and more.


How Much Does It Cost?

Registration with Landbell USA currently requires a flat annual fee of $1,000. The fee funds the statewide needs assessment and operational development for the program, including collection logistics and the eco-modulated fee structure for later phases of the program. These will include reduced rates for textile products designed for durability and recycling.

Do We Have To Provide Company Data Or Sign A Contract?

You will need to provide basic company and contact information. While no product supply or volume data is necessary as yet, signing the Compliance Service Agreement with Landbell USA is required as part of the formal registration process to ensure legal clarity and compliance with the law.

Where Can I Learn More?

Landbell USA maintains a Producer Onboarding Support page with an extensive Q&A covering the program’s scope, registration procedures, financial obligations and more. The organization also hosted and recorded a Q&A webinar that can be viewed here.

For specific questions, email the Landbell USA support team at landbellusa.support@landbellgroup.com or fill out the form at landbellusa.com/contact-us.

For general implementation information and a timeline, view the California Senate Bill 707 Implementation Tracker.