Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has halted on imposing regulation anytime soon amid the launch of Australia's first-ever national clothing product stewardship scheme, Seamless.
Speaking at an event today in Sydney, Plibersek did not indicate industry-wide mandatory action for Seamless in the near future, but said this can change.
“We have regulated in a whole range of areas and we'll continue to do so,” Plibersek said. “Part of that is because even if we're doing great things in Australia but we're seeing floods of imported goods that don't meet Australian standards, that will continue to be a problem.
“We need to have an industry-led approach wherever we can, but we need to acknowledge if there are market failures, if there's a problem with free riders in the industry, we need to deal with that.”
Seamless is set to launch on July 1, now with 62 members in tow. The scheme’s launch date was officially announced at the event which was attended by Plibersek alongside the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), eight foundation members and newly signed on members.
New members of Seamless include Elk the Label, MJ Bale, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Berlei by Hanes Australasia, Jag by APG & Co, Oroton, Universal Store, XTM Performance and Zimmermann.
The scheme's foundation members are The Iconic, Sussan Group, R.M.Williams, Cotton On, Big W, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl and David Jones.
“Today's milestone is the beginning of a sustainable future for Australia’s clothing industry,” Seamless CEO Ainsley Simpson said. “While this calls for celebration, we know there’s still much more to do for Australia’s people and nature.
“Sustainability is the only possible pathway forward for our sector, and we can only do it if all brands join forces to do better.”
From July 1, Seamless members will contribute 4 cents for each new garment placed on the Australian market or contribute 3 cents per garment manufactured with an annually agreed composition which drives use of more sustainable materials - known as eco-modulated levy payments.
Membership also includes displaying the Seamless logo and communicating their commitment to circularity, and can gain access to models and knowledge for implementing circular pilot programs such as end-of-life product take-backs, circular design, repair and re-use solutions.
Seamless has sought accreditation via the Australian Government’s Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020.
“Seamless is for everyone,” Simpson said. "Brands big and small, national and international, and our supply chain, upstream and downstream.
“We hope that with the Minister [Plibersek] and Australia’s support, we will see the industry rallying with Seamless.”
With the pooled investments raised from member contributions, including $100,000 each from foundational members, Seamless has listed four key priorities over the next twelve months.
This includes developing better fashion production and circularity methodologies, further define eco-modular criteria to offer brands smaller levy charges for implementing sustainable practice, benchmark current and emerging recycling technologies and sector capability, and working alongside its members across the clothing value chain on a national collection, sorting and reprocessing program and a support payment scheme for accredited providers.