The legalities of labeling
Posted by Kathleen Fasanella on Apr 1, 2005 at 3:05 pm / Newbies, Sales and Marketing, Textiles and Inputs / Trackback
I notice the Federal Trade Commission has prepared a document entitled _Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts_ regarding labeling requirements for sewn product manufacturers in cooperation with the American Apparel Manufacturer’s Assoc. There’s a pdf version if you prefer to print it out for offline reading.
I recommend that DEs file for an RN number. With an RN number, any retailer who is shopping their competition and sees your product line and thinks you’d be a good fit for them, can find you. It doesn’t matter if your location is not listed on your hang tag because they can search the RN database which is free and open to the public (online).
; there are no fees to get one. To file an application for an RN number, you can either use the print form or use the secure online filing procedure . Similarly, if you’d like to know the manufacturer behind a given label, you can search for it here. This is a free service open to consumers and businesses alike.
One final note (pasted)
When a textile or wool product is advertised in a catalog or other mail order promotional material, either printed or disseminated on the Internet, the description must include a clear and conspicuous statement that the item was either “made in U.S.A.,” “imported,” or “made in U.S.A. and [or] imported.” Of course, catalog information about origin must be consistent with the information on the label. (See Country of origin in mail order advertising.)
This means that those who fail to disclose the country of origin (country of manufacture) within the advertising and catalog guidelines are in violation of the FTC regulations. While it’s highly unlikely that a manufacturer who fails to disclose their products are “made in the USA” are subject to sanction, failing to disclose off-shore production origin can constitute unfair trade practices.
4 Responses to “The legalities of labeling”
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May 6th, 2005
5:34 pm
This is a compilation and crude importation of all the comments posted at the original site for this document. Feel free to add your comments.
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4/2/2005 09:53:20 AM Mike C said:
What’s interesting is that almost no apparel websites, even those of the large companies, follow the labeling rules for websites.
4/2/2005 08:13:27 PM Kathleen said:
yeah, I noticed that too. that’s kind of why I thought to mention that specifically.
October 19th, 2005
3:55 pm
Apparel manufacturing in Canada pt 2
As I was saying - in addition to a world class reputation for quality, the primary advantages of partnering with our friendly neighbors to the north are: 1. NAFTA 2. Terms of trade 3. Shared language and cultural history 4….
August 1st, 2006
9:22 pm
I apologize if its there and I’ve missed it, but what are the labeling requirements for domestically produced leather fashion accessories?
February 26th, 2007
7:17 pm
I am designing a T-shirt line and I was wondering how creative one can get with the labeling requirements. I read “Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts,” but hopefully someone can provide a bit more clarification.
On p.28 it says “In a garment with a neck, a label disclosing the country of origin must be attached to the inside center of the neck.” I just came back from Bloomingdale’s and I noticed that some of the T-shirt brands only have their company name inside the center of the neck. Or some will only have their company name and size, but not the country of origin as stated in the rules above. I noticed that they put the country of origin on the front of the care label tag sewn inside the body. Am I misinterpreting the rules? How do they get away with this?
From what I have read, the main things to include are the fiber content, country of origin, and business name. I have seen a few brands get somewhat creative with their label, and I was wondering if it matters what order you put the above requirements in?
The document also states “Other non-required info can be included with required info as long as it is not deceptive.” I would like to write something like the following, in this exact order for my label:
*My company name
*100% Cotton
*Something interesting about each screen-print.
*Made in El. Salvador by my Uncle. Or, Made by my Uncle in El.Salvador
Does the above label look legal? Thanks for all the help and hopefully someone knows if one can arrange the label essentials in any order and how creative one can get.
Thanks,
Johnny