In collaboration with bluesign, we are proud to announce our Ambassador Sponsorship of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)'s 2026 Product Safety & Compliance Seminar. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to advancing product safety, regulatory compliance and responsible chemical management across the global apparel and footwear supply chain.
The AAFA Product Safety & Compliance Seminar will take place February 3–5, 2026, in Long Beach, California. The event brings together product safety, compliance, regulatory and chemical management professionals to address emerging requirements and share practical, risk-based solutions for today's complex supply chains. Throughout the seminar, our experts will be on site to support brands and retailers as they navigate evolving product safety, compliance and sustainability challenges.
AAFA recognizes the valuable perspective that SGS and bluesign bring to these critical discussions. As part of the program, Dr Min Zhu, SGS's Senior Director, Softlines Technical Services and Operations for North America, and Simone Ross, Director of Business Development, North America East Region, bluesign, have been invited to participate in the panel discussion "Guiding the Way on PFAS Compliance, Reporting & Risk."
The session will take place on Tuesday, February 3, from 3:50 to 4:35 PM. It will focus on actionable strategies for managing PFAS risks, meeting reporting and disclosure obligations and implementing best practices to reduce exposure and ensure product safety across the supply chain. Bringing together industry professionals, the discussion will highlight practical approaches for monitoring, documenting and mitigating PFAS exposure, reflecting the growing importance of effective PFAS management as state-level regulations continue to evolve.
Through this sponsorship and active participation, we reaffirm our position as trusted partners to the apparel and footwear industry, helping organizations navigate regulatory complexity, strengthen their compliance programs and deliver safer, more responsible products.
Visit the AAFA Product Safety and Compliance Seminar Event page
Sustainability is in our DNA. Through our four IMPACT NOW for Sustainability pillars – climate, nature, ESG assurance and circularity – we deliver innovative solutions that enable smarter decision-making, regulatory compliance and environmental responsibility. As part of our commitment to a climate-neutral, nature-positive, and pollution-free future, the nature pillar includes comprehensive solutions to help businesses address the PFAS challenge across their entire value chain.
Learn more about IMPACT NOW for sustainability.
Maya Rotshteyn
Global Marketing Manager, C&P
t: +34 913 13 80 00
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
