SGS and bluesign Strengthen Partnership with AAFA Through Seminar Sponsorship
BAAR, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / January 27, 2026 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, together with bluesign®, has entered into a collaborative partnership with the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) as an Ambassador Sponsor of its 2026 Product Safety & Compliance Seminar. This partnership underscores their 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, bringing together product safety, regulatory and chemical management professionals to address emerging requirements and share practical, risk-based solutions.
Throughout the seminar, SGS and bluesign experts will be on site to support brands and retailers. As part of the program, Dr. Min Zhu, Senior Director, Softlines Technical Services and Operations, North America, SGS, and Simone Ross, Director of Business Development, North America East Region, bluesign, will participate in the panel discussion ‘Guiding the Way on PFAS Compliance, Reporting & Risk’, taking place Tuesday, February 3, from 3:50 to 4:35 PM.
The panel 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. It will highlight practical approaches for monitoring, documenting and mitigating PFAS exposure as state-level regulations continue to evolve.
Through this sponsorship and active participation, SGS and bluesign reaffirm their position as trusted partners to the apparel and footwear industry, helping organizations navigate regulatory complexity, strengthen compliance programs and deliver safer, more responsible products.
IMPACT NOW for Sustainability
IMPACT NOW for Sustainability is a strategic framework built around four pillars: climate, nature, ESG assurance and circularity. Within the nature pillar, SGS provides end-to-end solutions to help organizations address PFAS risks across the value chain, from chemical management and testing to regulatory compliance, reporting and risk mitigation. These solutions enable brands and retailers to make informed decisions, strengthen compliance and advance safer, more sustainable products in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Learn more about PFAS solutions under IMPACT NOW for sustainability.
Dr. Min Zhu
Connectivity & Products - Softlines Senior Director
Technical Services & Operations, US & Canada
Tel: +19734611230
Website: www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products
About Us
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).
Contacts