AAFA Releases Version 25 Restricted Substance List to Support Rigorous Safety Standards

February 6, 2025 | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the American Apparel & Footwear Association published the 25th edition of the Restricted Substance List (RSL). As an open-industry resource available to both AAFA members and the broader community, the RSL supports the industry by providing a reference of all banned and restricted chemicals and substances for finished apparel, footwear, accessories, and home textile products, identifying the most restrictive regulations worldwide. The report also offers an Appendix on Reporting that covers the U.S. states whose laws require reporting of chemicals in children’s products as well as European reporting rules. 

“Our members invest millions to build, train, operate, and inspect supply chains to ensure that the clothes, shoes, and accessories bought and worn by American families are not only fashionable and affordable but are also safe and ethically and sustainably sourced and made,” said AAFA president and CEO Steve Lamar. "Unlike counterfeit goods that dodge product safety inspection, trusted brands are held to very rigorous standards. Today's updated RSL reflects one tangible part of the chemical management and due diligence taken to ensure those standards are met."

This week, AAFA convenes the industry for its 2025 Product Safety & Compliance Seminar in Long Beach, California – featuring remarks delivered by Robin Christensen of California's Department of Toxic Substances Control.

The Version 25 RSL covers 16 categories with more than 250 chemicals and is updated to reflect additions or changes to regulations and laws that restrict or ban certain chemicals in finished apparel, footwear, accessories, and home textile products. First published in 2007, the RSL is produced by AAFA’s RSL Task Force, which reviews and updates the list regularly to reflect the latest global regulatory changes.

The RSL can be accessed as both PDF and Excel.