La Impact Weekly: Week of May 12th 2025
This week: Big moves on DPPs, tariff shifts for Shein/Temu, and standout brand launches in resale, repair, and regenerative fashion.
𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 & 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬
Nobody’s Child expands resale: UK womenswear brand Nobody’s Child has partnered with eBay and circular fashion platform Reskinned to launch a branded resale shop featuring pre-worn garments. Customers can return old items through a take-back program. Collected garments are cleaned, repaired, and authenticated before being listed on eBay. Read more
United Repair Centre x Levi’s: Levi Strauss & Co. has partnered with Amsterdam-based United Repair Centre to launch ‘Love.Tear.Repair’—a dedicated denim repair service available to European customers. Repairs are done by skilled craftspeople, including refugees reskilled through social enterprise programs. Customers can access services via Levi’s stores or mail-in options, helping extend garment life cycles and reduce consumption. Read more
CDP restructures to reduce reporting burden: CDP has cut 20% of its staff globally and plans to modernize its reporting infrastructure. The environmental disclosure nonprofit is aligning its data collection tools with upcoming EU CSRD and ISSB frameworks, prioritizing automated tools and consolidated questionnaires to eliminate redundancy and ease the process for companies reporting across multiple platforms. Read more
Primark introduces free U.S. repair workshops: Primark is launching in-store “Love It for Longer” repair workshops in the U.S. following a successful UK rollout. Locations in Staten Island, NY and Tysons, VA now offer hands-on lessons in repairing hems, replacing buttons, and patching holes. Participants receive free toolkits including sewing supplies and how-to guides to encourage at-home garment maintenance. Read more
Adidas ends use of kangaroo leather: Adidas has officially discontinued the use of kangaroo leather, a material long used in high-performance football boots. This decision comes in response to advocacy from animal welfare groups and increasing scrutiny of the commercial kangaroo industry in Australia, following similar moves by Nike and Puma. Read more
MATE the Label debuts regenerative hemp: Los Angeles-based MATE the Label has launched a collection made from 55% regenerative hemp and 45% organic cotton, sourced from farms using no-till practices that enhance soil carbon capture. The collection, produced in California, includes tanks, tees, and wide-leg pants dyed with low-impact dyes and designed to break down naturally at end-of-life. Read more
The Mills Fabrica x Selfridges celebrate textile reuse: During London Craft Week, The Mills Fabrica partnered with Selfridges to host a sustainable fashion pop-up. The curated installation features brands such as E.L.V. Denim, which produces zero-waste garments by combining vintage jeans into modern silhouettes. The event includes panel talks on circularity and workshops on garment reconstruction. Read more
𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 & 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Breakthrough in nylon alternative: A team of researchers has developed a novel polymer that mimics the tensile strength and flexibility of nylon while being biodegradable and fully recyclable. Unlike traditional nylon, this new material can be produced at room temperature and is free from petrochemicals. Read more
Target integrates DPPs into 35 million garments: Target has deployed Digital Product Passports (DPPs) across its Universal Thread collection, tagging 35 million products with QR codes powered by EON. Scanning the code reveals origin, material content, and a one-click resale option via Poshmark. Read more
Sheep Inc. launches plastic-free swimwear: London-based Sheep Inc. has introduced swim shorts made from ZQ-certified Merino wool and lined with biodegradable Yarnaway™ mesh. The shorts are designed for active wear, featuring natural odor resistance and quick-dry properties. Each pair includes a Connected Dot™, an NFC chip that tracks the item’s entire lifecycle. Read more
Bangladesh pilots blockchain-enabled DPPs: The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has launched a 24-month pilot with DigiProd Pass Ltd. and Digital Architect to develop blockchain-based Digital Product Passports. The project will digitize data on composition, origin, and lifecycle emissions for export-ready garments, aligning with new EU ESPR regulations taking effect in 2026. Read more
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 & 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬
EU approves Product Environmental Footprint (PEF): The European Commission has formally adopted the PEF methodology for apparel and footwear, offering a science-based tool for calculating environmental impacts across a product’s lifecycle. While not yet approved for consumer communication, it standardizes how brands internally assess climate, water, and resource intensity. Read more
U.S. cuts tariffs on Shein and Temu shipments: The U.S. has introduced a revised tariff scheme for low-value imports from Chinese platforms Shein and Temu. After ending the “de minimis” duty exemption, shipments now face a 54% tariff or a flat $100 per parcel under a temporary 90-day trade agreement between the U.S. and China. Read more
Shein faces renewed trademark lawsuit from Dr. Martens: AirWair International has filed suit against Shein in California federal court, alleging the retailer breached a 2022 agreement by selling lookalike boots that mimic Dr. Martens’ protected design features. A judge has ruled that key trademark infringement claims will proceed. Read more