H.R. 1239 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to create a voluntary labeling program that allows clothing manufacturers and sellers to label their products with information about greenhouse gas emissions from the entire lifecycle of the garment—including growing materials, manufacturing, transportation, consumer use, and disposal. The program is entirely voluntary; companies choose whether to participate and can only be included if the EPA believes they will follow the program's requirements. Labels would display a numerical rating of the item's total emissions and include a QR code linking to detailed information, but the labels cannot claim that any product is "acceptable" or "unacceptable," only provide factual emissions data. The EPA must finalize regulations within two years, consult with industry experts to design the labels, and establish a public database and consumer education program within three years. Participants may also voluntarily commit to reducing their emissions. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for fraudulent use of labels and requires the EPA to review the program's effectiveness beginning seven years after enactment and every five years thereafter.
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