US: FTC alters textile labelling rules
19/03/2014
The rules implement the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, which requires that certain textiles sold in the US carry labels disclosing the generic names and percentages by weight of the fibres in the product, the manufacturer or marketer name, and the country where the product was processed or manufactured.
In May 2013, the FTC proposed changes to the rules and sought public comment. It has now approved changes, which include: incorporating the updated International Organisation for Standardization standard establishing generic fibre names for manufactured fibres; allowing certain hang-tags disclosing fibre names, trademarks and performance information, without the need to disclose the product’s full fibre content; and clarifying that an imported product’s country of origin is the country where it was processed or manufactured.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) welcomed new rules.
"The labels on your clothes and shoes are one of the most important ways brands and retailers communicate with their consumers," said AAFA vice-president Steve Lamar. "These changes, for which AAFA has advocated, will help the U.S. apparel and footwear industry to remain competitive in the global marketplace and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens."
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