Not later than July 1, 2018, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, shall convene a working group of representatives of the apparel industry and the environmental community for the purpose of developing a consumer awareness and education program concerning the presence of synthetic microfiber pollution. Such program shall include, but not be limited to, consumer oriented information that explains the process by which such microfibers are shed from clothing and are dispersed in the state's waterways, best practices for consumers to eliminate and reduce the disbursement of microfibers from clothing into the waterways of the state and information on efforts that members of the apparel industry, including, but not limited to, brand labels, are undertaking to reduce or eliminate microfibers in clothing. The working group shall include, but not be limited to, a representative of each of the following organizations: (1) The Sustainable Apparel Coalition, (2) the American Apparel and Footwear Association, (3) the American Apparel and Producer's Network, (4) Fashion Group International, (5) the National Retail Federation, (6) the Council of Fashion Designers of America, (7) Fashion Business, Inc., and (8) the Outdoor Industry Association. Not later than January 1, 2019, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall, in accordance with section 11-4a, submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment on the efforts of such working group and any related recommendations for legislation concerning such consumer awareness and education program and the reduction of microfibers in our state's waterways.

(P.A. 18-181, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 18-181 effective June 14, 2018.