Writing Labels for Textile Products

Contents

• Introduction
• Fiber content and country of origin labels
• Products that must have labels
• Products that must have labels
• Products that must have labels
• Products that must have labels
• Products that must have labels
  
• Arrangement of information on the label
• Products that must have labels
• Products that must have labels
• Substitution of labels
• Care labels
• What products must have care labels
• Who is responsible for labeling and when?
• Information required
• Average life expectancy of textile items in years (table)
• How to write care instructions
• Placement of care labels
• Penalties
• Other considerations
• Glossary
• Registered identification number
• Continuing guaranty

Introduction

Before textile products, such as clothing, bedding, fabrics and awnings, may be sold to the public, they must be labeled. The wording on the labels must follow federal regulations that have been passed to protect the consumer.

As the manufacturer of a textile item, it is your responsibility to see that the labeling follows federal regulations and is accurate. Fines for failing to use proper labels may be severe.

There are three different categories of labeling requirements that affect textile products:

1. Fiber content
2. Country of origin
3. Care instruction

The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act and the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 require that the manufacturer (or importer) give the fiber content of the product (e.g., 50% cotton/50% polyester).

In addition, the Acts require that you specify the country of origin, meaning the country where the fabric was manufactured and the country where the product was sewn (e.g., Made in the USA of fabric imported from Great Britain).

The Care Labeling Rule requires that the manufacturer (or importer) give at least one set of instructions for taking care of the product.

Some parts of the regulations are very specific. Only certain words may be used to give the information, and the label must be sewn in a particular location.

The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act gives definitions and regulations about the labeling of textile products. The Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 specifies regulations about the labeling of products containing wool. Regulations in the Wool Products Identification Act take precedence over those in the Textile Fiber Products Identification act.

Both Acts were amended in 1984 to require listing of the name of the country, including the United States, where each product was processed or manufactured.

The Care Labeling Rule was issued in 1971 and amended in 1984. It requires that manufacturers and importers attach care instructions to garments.

Fiber content and country of origin

All fiber (natural or synthetic), yarns, fabrics and household textile articles must be labeled. "Household textile articles" include articles of wearing apparel, draperies, floor coverings, furnishings, bedding and other wool or textile articles customarily used in a household.

Products that must have labels

Items covered under the Textile Products and Wool Acts that must be labeled include:

• Articles of wearing apparel—woolen hats, most costumes or articles of clothing worn, or intended to be worn, as covering for any part of the body, including handkerchiefs and scarves.
  
• Bedding—sheets, covers, blankets, comforters, pillows, pillowcases, quilts, bedspreads, pads, batts, and all other textile fiber products used, or intended to be used, on or about a bed or other places for reclining or sleeping.
  
• Afghans and throws, sleeping bags and hammocks.
  
• Curtains, casements and draperies.
  
• Floor coverings—the structural base of the floor covering, not backings.
  
• Tablecloths, napkins and doilies.
  
• Towels, wash cloths and dish cloths.
  
• Furniture slip covers, and other covers for furniture.
  
• Dresser and other furniture scarves, antimacassars and tidies.
  
• Ironing board covers and pads.
  
• Umbrellas and parasols.
  
• Flags with heading of more than 216 square inches in size.
  
• Cushions.
  
• All fibers, yarns and fabrics (including narrow fabrics except packaging ribbons)—remnants may be sold with a display sign reading "remnants of undetermined fiber content and origin."
  
• All products containing any percentage of woolen fibers except those specifically exempted by the Wool Products Labeling Act (e.g., tennis balls).

Exempted products

The following domestic textile products are examples of common items that do not require labels giving fiber content or country of origin if the country of origin is the United States. However, all imported textile and wool products of foreign origin must show their country of origin.

• Shoes and outer footwear of all kinds—this includes shoe laces and textile-fiber products incorporated in shoes or overshoes, or similar outer footwear.
  
• Non-woolen textile headwear, meaning any textile-fiber products worn exclusively on or about the head or face—woolen headwear requires labeling information.
  
• Outer coverings of furniture, mattresses and box springs.
  
• Items such as belts, suspenders, arm bands, permanently knotted ties, handbags, luggage, brushes, lampshades and toys (including stuffed animal toys).
  
• Specialty items like labels, looper clips intended for handicrafts, book cloth, artists' canvasses and tapestry cloth.
  
• Non-woven, one-time use garments.

The items below are specifically listed by the Federal Trade Commission as being excluded from the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. This is not necessarily a complete listing of exempted items. Country of origin and fiber content labeling is not required for:

• Auto seat cushions.
  
• Awnings.
  
• Baby bouncer seats and cuddle seats.
  
• Baby carriages and carriers.
  
• Bags: net, laundry, diaper or cosmetic.
  
• Beach umbrellas.
  
• Car cushions.
  
• Chair or lawn seats.
  
• Christmas decorations.
  
• Cloth: reproduction or tracing.
  
• Coasters for glasses.
  
• Cosmetic masks.
  
• Cosmetic bags/travel kits.
  
• Covers: for bird cages, irons, laundry machines, toasters, mixers, toilet tanks and lids.
  
• Cummerbunds.
  
• Dog coats.
  
• Dress shields.
  
• Flowers: fabric.
  
• Golf club head covers.
  
• Hangers: Padded clothing.
  
• Hosiery hampers.
  
• Hot pads.
  
• Knapsacks.
  
• Life preservers and jackets.
  
• Mitts: oven.
  
• Mops and mop covers.
  
• Novelty pillows (6 inches or less all dimensions).
  
• Pads, toboggan.
  
• Patio umbrellas.
  
• Saddle blankets.
  
• Shade pulls: Window, etc.
  
• Tents.
  
• Twine.
  
• Wigs.
  
• Wall coverings.
  
• Wall decorations.

The following items are specifically exempted from all sections of the Wool Products Labeling Act:

• Carpets, rugs, mats or upholsteries—but these must be labeled under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.
  
• Tennis balls and baseballs.
  
• Powder puffs, sold as part of compact assemblies or as replacement parts for such compacts.
  
• Gabardine shoes, when the gabardine or other material containing woolen fibers covers not more than one-third of the outer area of the shoe, above the sole and heel, or is present only as decorative material,
  
• Embroidery emblems.
  
• Carnival hats.
  
• Small corn plasters and adhesive plasters.

Who is responsible for labeling and when?

The manufacturer is responsible for proper labeling of textile fiber products when they are ready for sale or delivery to the consumer. (Products intended for export to a foreign country are exempted.)

A "manufacturer" is defined as any person or firm who manufactures, produces or in any way processes textile fibers or products made from them.

A textile fiber product is considered "ready for sale or delivery" to the ultimate consumer when the manufacturing or processing of the product is basically complete.

Small details, such as finishing a hem or attaching buttons, do not excuse the product from the labeling requirement.

Wool must be labeled as soon as it is converted into a manufactured form, that is, when the fiber is blended, dyed, combed or twisted in any manner. (Products intended for export to a foreign country are exempted.)

The importer is responsible for proper labeling of imported textile products. The U.S. Customs Office may refuse to allow products into the country if they are not properly labeled.

Custom merchants and tailors are responsible for showing properly labeled bolts, samples and swatches to customers.

The finished, custom-made garments must be accompanied at the time of delivery by an invoice or other paper showing the information that would otherwise be required to appear on a label.

Recordkeeping

Every manufacturer of a textile fiber product covered by the Act must keep written records showing the fiber content of all of those products. Records must be maintained for three years.

Information required

For all covered textile and wool products, an attached label and the packaging must identify, in English:
(1) where the product was processed or manufactured,
(2) its fiber content,
(3) the name of the manufacturer (or distributor).

Advertisements in foreign language newspapers or periodicals need not be in English, but must comply in all other respects with the Act and Regulations.

Country of origin

Textile fiber products that are imported must be labeled with the "Country of Origin"—the place where the textile product (yarn, fabric or product) was processed or manufactured.

Textile fiber products completely made in the United States, of materials made in the United States, must be labeled using the phrase "Made in the U.S.A." or some equivalent.

Textile fiber products made in the United States, in whole or in part, of imported materials, must be labeled to show this: "Made in USA of imported fabric," or "Knitted in USA of imported yarn."

Textile fiber products partially manufactured in a foreign country and partially in the United States must be labeled to show this.

The English name of the foreign country must be used. For example: "Sewn in USA of imported fabrics," or "Made in (foreign country), finished in USA."

The term "country" means the political entity known as a nation. The country where the product was principally made is considered the country where the product was processed or manufactured.

Additional work done in another country must make a basic change in the form of the product in order to be considered the country of origin.

Abbreviations that clearly indicate the name of a country, such as Gt. Britain for Great Britain, are acceptable.

Mail order advertising

The description of a textile fiber product advertised in a mail order catalog or promotional material must include a clear statement that the product was either made in the United States, imported or both. Other words and phrases with the same meaning are allowed.

Fiber content

All fibers present in the amount of five percent or more of the total fiber weight of the textile fiber product must be identified:

 

Except where another name is permitted under the Act and Regulations, the generic name must be used—cotton, silk, nylon, for example. A trademark name may also be included.

When a textile fiber product contains the hair or fiber of a fur-bearing animal, the name of the animal may be used along with the words fiber, hair or blend
For example:

 

The term "fur fiber" may be used to describe the hair or fur fiber of any animal other than the sheep, lamb, Angora goat, Cashmere goat, camel, alpaca, llama or vicuna (these are wool-bearing animals).

The generic term for fibers made from sheep, lamb, Angora goat, Cashmere goat, camel, alpaca, llama or vicuna is wool.

The name of the specialty fiber may be used instead of the word "wool" as long as all the other requirements are met. When the name of the specialty fiber is used in the label, the same name must be used when the fiber is referred to in other required or non-required information.

For example, a wool label may read:

A wool blend label may read:

A fiber containing hair of the Angora goat known as "mohair" or hair or fleece of the Cashmere goat known as "cashmere," may be referred to as "Cashmere" or "Angora" instead of "wool," as long as the other requirements are also met.

The fiber must be described in the same way in any other information included with the product, such as the manufacturer's tags that describe the product. These terms may not be used in the information if they are not used on the fiber content disclosure (e.g., on the label).

If the textile fiber contains five percent or more wool or recycled wool (see the Glossary at the end of this publication) the fiber must be described as wool or recycled wool.

The terms "virgin" or "new" refer to fibers that have never been reclaimed from any spun, woven, knitted, felted, braided, bonded or otherwise manufactured or used product. These terms may be used in the product description only when either the entire product or the entire section of the product being described is composed wholly of new or virgin fiber.

Fibers present in amounts less than five percent must be described as "other fiber(s)" unless that fiber affects the performance of the fabric. In that case, the amount of the fiber and the
significance of the fiber must be specified: "4% spandex for elasticity."

Manufacturer's name and Registered Identification Number

The name of the manufacturer of the product must appear on the label. The "name" is the name under which the person is doing business.

A word trademark, if it is registered in the U.S. Patent Office, may be used instead of the name as long as the owner of the trademark has filed a copy of the registration with the FTC before it is used.

A company may use a Registered Identification Number (RN), issued by the FTC, instead of its name. RN numbers are not transferable; they must only be used by the person to whom they are issued. Improper use may result in cancellation of the number.

To obtain a Registered Identification Number, copy, complete and send the application form to the FTC. The form is included here.

Arrangement of information on the label

All required information must appear on the same side of the label. It must be legible and easy for the consumer to see. Information on fiber content must appear all in the same size and boldness of type, with these exceptions:

1. The RN may appear on the reverse side of the label. It must be accessible and easy to read.
2. The required name or RN may appear on a separate label near the label with the other required information.
3. The required content information may appear on the reverse side of the label if this statement—"Fiber content on reverse side"—appears on the front of the label. Only one end of the label may be sewn to the product.

The information required on the label must be in the following order:

1. The generic names of fibers that make up at least five percent of the textile product must be listed in order of weight. List "other fibers" last.
   
2. The name or RN of the manufacturer, importer, or person(s) marketing or handling the product.
   
3. The name of the country of origin. Any fiber that is used for its insulating ability in a product's linings, interlinings, fillings or paddings (such as a running suit lining) rather than for structural purposes (such as a suit coat lining) must be listed separately.

For example, a label on a raincoat with a zip-out lining might read:

SHELL:

 

LINER:

 

Non-required information may appear on the same label as the required information or it may appear on a separate label. If it is on the same label, it should be separated from the required information in some way.

The non-required information must not conflict or interfere with the required information.

No false or deceptive information may appear on the label. Honest descriptions of a fiber may be used with the fiber's generic name—100% combed cotton, for example.

If the product is comprised wholly of one fiber, except for ornamentation, decoration, elastic, or trimming that does not require disclosure, the terms "All" or "100%" may be used with the generic name of the fiber and any qualifying phrase when needed (e.g., 100% Acetate, Exclusive of Decoration; All Nylon, Exclusive of Elastic).

Any upholstered product, mattress or cushion that contains stuffing that has already been used as stuffing in any other upholstered product, mattress or cushion must have a tag or label at least 2 inches by 3 inches in size stamped or printed in English, in plain type not less than 1/8 inch high, indicating that all or part of the stuffing is reused, secondhand, previously used or used.

Placement of labels

The required labels on textile products and on the packaging of textile products must be securely attached.

They must be placed where they can be seen and they must be durable enough to remain attached to the product and its package throughout the distribution cycle until it is delivered to the consumer.

If the product has a neck opening, the label must be attached to the inside center of the opening midway between the shoulder seams. However, if another label is attached there, the required label may be attached nearby as long as it remains easy to see.

If the label attached at or near the neck gives the country of origin, then the label containing the country of origin, fiber content and RN or name of the company may appear in another easy-to-see place on the inside or outside of the garment.

Products without neck openings must have the label attached to a conspicuous spot on the inside or outside of the product. Hosiery products, however, may be labeled on the packaging as long as all of the required information is included and as long as the information pertains to all the textile products in the package.

Substitution of labels

A firm may remove the required labels attached by the manufacturer or distributor and substitute its own label as long as the label shows identical content and origin information. The new label must give the name or registered identification number of the firm attaching the substitute label.

The substitute label must comply with all requirements of the Acts and Regulations. It must be attached securely and where it can be seen. If removing the original label also removes required care instructions, these must also be replaced.

According to the FTC, most purchasers of textile fiber products for resale require their suppliers to guarantee that their products are not misbranded, nor falsely nor deceptively advertised or invoiced under the provisions of the Act. To satisfy this need, manufacturers may provide an individual guaranty with each shipment or they may file a Continuing Guaranty with the Federal Trade Commission. A copy of the Continuing Guaranty form (which must be filed in duplicate) is included here.

Care labels

A care label is a permanent label or tag that contains regular care information and instructions. The label must be attached so that it will remain on the product and remain readable during the useful life of the product (see Average Life Expectancy table).

The care label must state what regular care is needed for the ordinary use of the product. Regular care is defined as: "customary and routine care" of the garment, not spot care.

In general, labels for textile wearing apparel must have either a washing instruction or a dry cleaning instruction.

If a garment can be either washed or dry cleaned, only one of the cleaning methods has to be mentioned on the care label.

The label must state if the product cannot safely be cleaned. For example, if a product would be harmed by washing because it is made from a fragile silk and harmed by dry cleaning because the attached sequins would melt in the dry cleaning chemicals, it must be labeled "Do not wash—do not dry clean" or "Cannot be successfully cleaned."

What products must have care labels?

Textile wearing apparel, with certain exceptions, must be sold with an attached care label.

Textile wearing apparel is defined by the FTC as "any finished garment or article of clothing made from a textile product that is customarily used to cover or protect any part of the body, including hosiery and scarves, excluding footwear, gloves, hats or other articles used exclusively to cover or protect the head or hands."

Care information also must appear on the end of each bolt or roll of certain piece goods—fabrics sold at retail on a piece-by-piece basis from bolts, pieces or rolls for use in home sewing.

The following clothing products are not required to have permanently attached care labels, but the manufacturer is required to provide temporary labels that consumers can read at the point of purchase:

• Reversible clothing without pockets.
  
  
• Products that may be washed, bleached, dried, ironed or dry cleaned by the harshest procedures available.

If attaching a permanent care label would harm the appearance or usefulness of a product, the manufacturer may request an exemption in writing from the Secretary of the FTC. The request must be accompanied by a labeled sample of the product and a full statement explaining why the request should be granted.

Products for which no care instructions are required:

• Leather, suede and fur garments (they are not textiles).
  
  
• Gloves, hats and footwear used to cover or protect the head, feet or hands.
  
  
• Ties, belts and other items not used to cover or protect part of the body (unless they are part of a garment).
  
  
• Household articles—including but not limited to linens, draperies, upholstery and slipcovers.
  
  
• Products sold to institutional buyers for commercial use. This includes rental service companies, nursing homes, hospitals, colleges and universities, local, state and federal institutions, hotels, motels and other bulk purchasers of uniforms and employee work clothes.
  
  
• Garments to be custom-made of material provided by the consumer.
  
  
• Products granted exemptions under an older version of the Rule because they were completely washable by any method and sold at retail for $3 or less. If the product no longer meets the standards for the exemption—for example, if the product now sells for more than $3—the exemption is automatically revoked.
  
  
• Trim (up to 5 inches wide) sold as piece goods such as ribbon, lace, rick-rack, tape, belting, binding and braid.
  
  
• Manufacturer's remnants up to 10 yards long when the remnants are clearly and conspicuously marked as "pound goods" or "fabric of undetermined origin" and the fiber content of the remnants is not known and cannot readily be determined. If the fiber content of the remnant is known, it is not excluded. Remnants created at the retail level, or by the manufacturer at the request of the retailer, also are not excluded.

Who is responsible for labeling and when?

Manufacturers and importers of textile wearing apparel and of piece goods to be sold at retail are responsible for providing regular care instructions on an attached label.

Care labels do not have to be attached when products enter the United States, but they must be attached before these products are sold.

A manufacturer or importer must have reliable evidence, such as test results, for the information given.

Information required

A care label must give full care instructions about one regular care method for the garment or, if a garment cannot be cleaned without harm, the label must provide warnings. If the instructions given are followed, they must not hurt the product.

If there are procedures consumers might assume to be safe, but that would actually harm the product, the label must warn against these procedures.

For example, if a pair of pants cannot safely be ironed, the label must state:
"Do not iron." If the garment is not colorfast, its label should state, "Wash with like colors" or "Wash separately."

These care instructions must be attached to the product on a permanent label that remains readable for as long as the garment might be expected to be used by a consumer. (See The American National Standards Institute's life expectancy table.)

There must be reliable evidence that the product will not be harmed when cleaned according to the instructions on the label.

There must also be reliable evidence that the product was harmed when cleaned by methods warned against on the label. For example, the manufacturer must be able to show that a shirt labeled, "Machine wash, Tumble dry. Cool iron" may be successfully machine washed in hot water with any type of bleach, tumble dried at a high setting and ironed with a cool iron.

The manufacturer does not, however, have to show that a shirt labeled "Machine wash warm, Tumble dry medium," would be harmed if washed in hot water or dried on a high setting.

Average Life Expectancy of Textile Items in Years
APPAREL Bathing Suits Bathrobes  Lightweight  Heavy or quilted  Wool Blazers  Cotton and blends  Imitation suede*  Wool Coats and Jackets (Outerwear)  Children's  Cotton and blends  Down  Fur  Imitation fur or suede*  Leather and suede  Plastic  Wool Blouses Choir Robes Dresses  Causal  Office  Silk Evening  High Fashion  Basic Formal Wear  Gloves  Fabric  Leather Rainwear and windbreakers  Film and plastic coated  Fabric, lined & unlined  Rubber and plastic Shirts  Dress  Sports  Wool or silk Ski jackets  (including down) Skirts Slacks  Lounging and  active sport  Dress Socks   2 2 3 3 3 4 2 3 3 10 3 5 2 4 3 6 2 3 2 3 5 1 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 1	Sport coats  Cotton and synthetic blends  Imitation suede*  Wool and wool blends Suits  Cotton and synthetic  Summer-weight wool  Imitation suede*  Silk  Washable  Winter-weight wool Sweaters Ties Underwear  Foundation garments  Panties  Slips Uniforms Vests HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS Bedspreads Blankets  Heavy wool  and synthetic fibers  Lightweight  Electric Comforters  Down Curtains  Sheer  Glass fiber Draperies  Lined  Unlined  Sheer  Glass fiber Sheets and pillow cases Slipcovers Table Linen  Fancy  Other Towels Upholstery Fabrics 3 3 4 2 3 3 3 2 4 3 1 1 1 2 1 2 6 10 5 5 5 5 3 3 5 4 3 4 2 3 5 2 3 5 *Nonwoven only. Life expectancy for coated or flocked articles is two years.
Reprinted by permission of the International Fabricare Institute. Table taken from the "Fair Claims Guide for Consumer Textile Products," American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1988. © 1988 by IFI. All Rights Reserved.

How to write care instructions

The FTC recommends using symbols in addition to words to communicate care procedures, but the words alone must fulfill the requirements.

A guide to Care Symbols, produced by the American Society for Testing and Materials and reprinted with their permission, is included on the inside back cover of this publication. If symbols are used, laundering instructions must include at least four symbols: washing, bleaching drying and ironing. Dry cleaning instructions must include one symbol.

The terms used for writing care instructions have been specifically defined by the FTC. The official definitions are listed in the glossary at the end of this document.

Instructions must be given in the following order: Washing/dry cleaning, bleaching, drying and ironing.

The label must specify whether the product should be washed by hand or by machine and an appropriate water temperature, if regular use of hot water would harm the product. FOR EXAMPLE Machine Wash, Warm. MEANING Use washing machine and warm (not hot) water. Hand Wash, Cold. Wash by hand (not by machine) in cold (not hot or warm) water.

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No special instructions are required if all commercially available bleaches may be used safely on a regular basis. If regular use of chlorine bleach would harm the product, but regular use of non-chlorine bleach would not, the label must say: "Only non-chlorine bleach when needed." If all commercially available bleaches used regularly would harm the product, the label must say; "No bleach" or "Do not bleach." FOR EXAMPLE Machine wash, Warm. Only non-chlorine bleach when needed. MEANING Non-chlorine bleach can safely be used, but regular use of chlorine bleach would harm the product.

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The label must say whether the product should be dried by machine or by some other method. If regular use of high temperature will harm the product, an appropriate temperature setting is required. FOR EXAMPLE Machine wash, Warm. Tumble dry, Medium. MEANING Medium or low dryer temperature settings can safely be used, but not hot.

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Ironing information must be given if ironing will be needed on a regular basis. If regular use of a hot iron will not harm the product, no temperature setting need be mentioned. FOR EXAMPLE Machine wash, Warm. Tumble dry, Medium. Warm iron. MEANING Iron on a medium temperature (not the hottest) setting.

 

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If the consumer might reasonably think a washing procedure could be used when that procedure actually would harm the product, the label must contain a warning such as "Do not," "No," "Only," or another clear wording to warn against the harmful procedure. For example, if a garment cannot safely be ironed, but the consumer might be expected to occasionally "touch up" the item, the label must state "Do not iron." If a garment might cause harm to another item being washed with it, a warning must be given. For example, if an item is not colorfast, the label must say, "Wash with like colors" or "Wash separately." Warnings are not required for alternate procedures that may be harmful. For example, if the instructions state "Dry flat," it is not necessary to state "Do not tumble dry." If washing would be harmful, it is not necessary to state "Do not wash" when the instructions state "Dry clean."

 

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If all commercially available dry cleaning solvents can be used, the label does not have to specifically mention any particular type of solvent. If one or more solvents would harm the product, a solvent that is safe to use must be mentioned. "Professionally dry clean" implies a special instruction or limitation for safely dry cleaning the product. The special instructions must be given with the care instructions. Because special handling is required, "Professionally Dry Clean" also means that the garment may not be cleaned in self-service dry cleaning machines. FOR EXAMPLE Professionally dry clean. Fluorocarbon or petroleum. MEANING Item can be dry cleaned by any commercial establishment using fluorocarbon or petroleum. (Perchlorethylene solvent should not be used.)

 

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Any part of the dry cleaning process that will harm the product must have a warning on the label. "Do not," "No," "Only," or other clear wording must be used. EXAMPLE Professionally dry clean. Reduced Moisture. MEANING Moisture addition to solvent should be reduced to decrease solvent's relative humidity. (Do not use moisture addition to solvent up to 75 percent relative humidity.) Professional dry clean. Cabinet dry warm. No steam. Cabinet dry at a temperature up to 120 degrees F. (Do not tumble dry.) No steam should be used in pressing, finishing, steam cabinets or wands.

Placement of labels

Care labels on clothing must be fastened so that they can be seen or easily found by consumers. Unlike country of origin labels and fiber content labels, the care label does not need to be sewn into the garment neck.

Care labels are often sewn into the side seams of garments. If the garment label cannot be read because of the packaging, additional care information must appear on the outside of the package or on a hang tag fastened to the product.

Piece goods sold to consumers for making home-sewn apparel must be clearly labeled with regular care information on the end of each roll or bolt. The information given must apply to the actual fabric on the roll or bolt.

Care information may be placed on the selvage (the two side edges of a woven fabric) of the material, on the end of the "board" on which the goods are wound, on a tag attached to the selvage or the "board end," or on any other position at the end of the roll where it can easily be seen. If a tag is used, it should be attached so that it will not become separated from the bolt until the last piece is sold.

Penalties

Failure to provide reliable care instructions and warnings for the useful life of an item is a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act and could result in penalties of up to $10,000 per offense.

Other considerations

Care instructions must consider the maintenance of such things as linings, trim, buttons and zippers. Any special statements, such as "Remove trim" or "Close zipper," must appear in the instructions as a warning. A detachable component, such as a zip-out lining, must be labeled separately if it requires a different care procedure from the main product.

Additional regulations and restrictions apply to special cases including reinforcing fibers, pile fibers, ornamentation, trims and stuffing.

Questions about any of these regulations should be directed to the Federal Trade Commission, Enforcement Division, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Washington, D.C. 10580 or the nearest Federal Trade Commission Regional Office. Missouri's regional office is located at 55 East Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60630, (312) 353-4423.

Glossary

Beddings

Sheets, covers, blankets, comforters, pillows, pillowcases, quilts, bedspreads, pads, and all other textile fiber products used or intended to be used about a bed or other place for reclining or sleeping. Does not include furniture, mattresses or box springs.

Care label
(defined in the Care Labeling Rule)
A permanent label or tag, containing regular care information and instructions that is attached or affixed in such a manner that it will not become separated from the product and will remain legible during the useful life of the product.

Dry clean
(defined in the Care Labeling Rule)
A commercial process by which soil is removed from products in a machine that uses common organic solvent (e.g., petroleum, perchlorethylene, fluorocarbon). The process may also include adding moisture to the solvent, up to 75 percent relative humidity, hot tumble drying up to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) and restoration by steam press or steam-air finishing.

Exempted products
Any products not covered by the rule.

Fabric
Any material woven, knitted, felted, or otherwise produced from or in combination with, any natural or manufactured fiber, yarn or substitute.

Fiber
The basic unit of a textile raw material such as cotton or wool that forms the basic element or "building block" of fabrics and other textile structures. Fibers may be single-celled seed hairs like cotton, multicellular structures such as wool, or man-made filaments like nylon, polyester and rayon. Most fibers have a length at least 100 times their diameter. Fibers are commonly spun, twisted or pulled into yarns (threads) for weaving, knitting or felting into fabric.

Fiber trademark
A word or words used by a person to identify a particular fiber produced or sold by him and to distinguish it from fibers of the same generic class produced or sold by others.

Generic fiber name
A name that the Federal Trade Commission assigns to a man-made fiber. This name must be used when disclosing information required under the Wool and Textile Acts.

Headwear
Any textile fiber product worn exclusively on or about the head or face by individuals.

Household textile articles
Articles of wearing apparel, costumes and accessories, draperies, floor coverings, furnishings, beddings, and other textile goods of a type customarily used in a household, regardless of where they are actually used.

Label
The stamp, tag, label or other means of identification, or authorized substitute therefore, required to be on or affixed to textile fiber products by the Act or Regulations and on which the information required is to appear.

Mail order catalog and mail order promotional material
Any printed materials used in the direct sale or direct offering for sale of textile products that are distributed or shown to consumers and that solicit consumers to purchase such textile products by mail, telephone or some other method without examining the actual product purchased.

Machine wash
(defined in the Care Labeling Rule)
A process by which soil is removed from products in a specially designed machine using water, detergent or soap and agitation. When no temperature is given, e.g., "warm" or "cold," [it is to be assumed that] hot water up to 150 degrees F (66 degrees C) can be regularly used.

Manufacturer
Every person or firm who manufactures, produces or in any way processes textile fibers or products made from them, whether such fibers are manufactured or natural, is a manufacturer of textile fiber products.

Ornamentation
Any fibers or yarns imparting a visibly discernible pattern or design to a yarn or fabric.

Outer coverings of furniture, mattresses and box springs
Those coverings that are permanently incorporated in such articles.

Piece goods
Fabrics or trim over 5 inches wide, sold on a piece-by-piece basis from bolts, pieces or rolls for use in home sewing of textile wearing apparel.

Regular care
(defined in the Care Labeling Rule)
Customary and routine care, not spot care.

Textile product
(defined in the Care Labeling Rule)
Any commodity, woven, knit, or otherwise made primarily of fiber, yarn or fabric and intended for sale or resale, requiring care and maintenance for ordinary use and enjoyment.

Textile wearing apparel
(defined in the Care Labeling Rule)
Any finished garment or article of clothing made from a textile product that is customarily used to cover or protect any part of the body, including hosiery, excluding footwear, gloves, hats or other articles used exclusively to cover or protect the head or hands.

Upholstered product
Articles of furniture containing stuffing. Includes mattresses and box springs.

Wearing apparel
Any costume or article of clothing or covering for any part of the body worn or intended to be worn by individuals.

Wool
The fiber from the fleece of the sheep or lamb, or hair of the Angora or Cashmere goat that has never been reclaimed from any woven or felted wool product. It also may include "specialty fibers" from the hair of the camel, alpaca, llama and vicuna.

Wool, recycled
The resulting fiber when wool that has been used in any way by the consumer, or wool that has been made into a fibrous state without ever having been used in any way by the consumer, is spun, woven, knitted, or felted into another wool product.

Wool product
Any product or portion of a product that contains, claims that it contains, or in any way is represented as containing wool or recycled wool.

Wool, virgin
Entirely new or virgin fiber that has never been used in any spun, woven, knitted, felted, braided, bonded, or otherwise manufactured product, including yarn or fabric.

Registered identification number (RN)

Register online or download, print and submit PDF version.

Continuing guaranty

This form is available at the FTC's Web site.

Guide to Care Symbols

Click on the Guide to Care Symbols thumbnail to the right for a full-size, printable PDF document.

Note: The Guide to Care Symbols chart has been reproduced by the University of Missouri under license from ASTM. The chart is reprinted from the ASTM Care Labeling System D 5489, Standard Guide for Permanent Care Labels on Consumer Textile Products © 1993 American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. (phone: 215/299-5585, fax: 215/977-9679). Copies of the official standard should be obtained directly from ASTM.

 

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NOTE: This guide is also available in print format. To order, request MP712, Writing Labels for Textile Products ($2).

Disclaimer: The information in this publication has been taken from available sources and is for the educational use of clients only. Interpretation and clarification of technical and/or unclear wording has been attempted where appropriate to the best of our ability. The authors claim no responsibility for the use of this information. Users must assume all responsibility for the results of the use of this publication. Mention of any commercial enterprise, brand name or trade name does not imply endorsement or preference. Failure to list a particular enterprise or brand name does not imply criticism.

- Developed by Sharon Stevens and Susan Henson, Missouri Textile and Apparel Center, University of Missouri Extension.