The fashion industry hangs on self-expression and individualism, yet our methods of consumption and their resulting environmental impacts are far from an individualistic concern. This paper examines the global fashion industry’s substantial contribution to pollution, resource-depletion, and waste as evidence that the self-regulation model is insufficient to curb the environmental footprint of the industry. Self-regulation presumes that consumer awareness and the desire to purchase sustainably will be enough to limit the industry’s environmental impact. However, this presumption is undermined by a lack of standardized and enforceable regulations necessary for consumer-decision making. Instead, greenwashing and deceptive environmental claims have pervaded the industry. Following a comparative analysis of current environmental reporting frameworks, this paper argues for a transatlantic mandatory reporting directive—jointly implemented by the United States and the European Union and centered on transparency and standardized disclosure requirements. This harmonized approach would not only improve corporate accountability, but empower consumers and policymakers to make informed decisions, setting the stage for broader sustainability legislation and behavioral change across the industry.
