Sure I know you, you wanna sell your clothes in the U.S. But are you aware of the label requirements? Making your way around this maze of rules can be very challenging, even for seasoned clothing brands.
I am here to bring you good news, though. We’ll go through clothing label requirements USA, making sure that you are armed with the right information.
We’re talking about staying compliant with federal law. That spans from fibre content to country-of-origin of origin to identification and so much more. Save your business from unnecessary fines. And build a trusted reputation in the market.
Let’s not wait any further!
Table of Contents
What Are Clothing Labels, and Are They Necessary?
Getting to the point: yes, Clothing Labels are absolutely necessary. You trust buying a clothing item with no labels, would you?
Accordingly, governments across the world, not just in the US, mandate garment labels.
Their end goal is to protect consumers and give them the right information. That is especially useful when dealing with imported products. Proper labelling also helps with border protection.
Labels establish the clothing label constituent materials and even after key instructions.
Which Regulatory Bodies Oversee Garment Labeling?
If you are making clothes for the US market, you’ll be answering to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These folks maintain an eagle-eyed watch over textile labelling requirements.
They make sure all apparel has Accurate information that is easy to understand. The Textile and Wool Acts are the major laws that support the FTC’s stringent requirements.
The Textile Products Identification Act (TFPIA) was passed in 1958. The Wool Products Labeling Act (WPLA) was passed in 1939 to guide their operations.
Specific Clothing Label Requirements USA
1. Country of Origin
You should clearly state where your products are made. For example, if they were wholly made in the US, then the label must read “Made in U.S.A.”
If the clothes are made from an imported component or material, the label should clearly state that as well. It should read “Made in the United States with Imported Materials.”
Otherwise, garments sold in the U.S. should have the specific country of origin information. For example, if they were made in China, the label should read “Made in China.”
2. Identification of Manufacturer
All imported clothes must have the registered identification numbers (RN). The number could be that of an importer, a manufacturer, or a corporate entity that sells the products.
All importers and domestic textile companies must have an RN. It uniquely identifies the business responsible according to US garment label requirements.
As a manufacturer/private labelling brand, this is your opportunity. You get to cement your brand identity with the textile labels.
Expert Tip: You should please put the three required disclosures together. Your customers and cleaning professionals will appreciate it. That will earn you a good reputation in the market.
Vanessa Wu, China Everbestfashion Apparel Manufacturer
3. Washing and Care Instructions
To Properly label your garments, they must include washing and care instructions. As a manufacturer, you should guide your consumers on the best way to take care of the products that you provide.
For example, if the clothes could get damaged from certain care practices, you should state it. Also, tell your consumers the best temperatures for washing your clothes.
Care labelling should be clear and easily readable. They should also last the lifetime of the clothes.
JaceApparel Offers you the widest range of premium quality materials in the market. That way your clothes are not easily damaged during normal care.
Additionally, our designers guide you through the entire design process. Create long-lasting masterpieces and grow your sales with us.
4. Fiber Content
Manufacturers should always include a label listing the fibre content of their product. The constituent fibres should be listed in descending order based on their percentage.
Textile and wool products Regulations State that you can omit any no-fibrous material. Fibers with functional significance must be listed. If you have clothes with a nonfunctional fibre of less than 5%, you can omit it.
Otherwise, you must identify imported fibre as a total percentage under “other fibres.” You can omit decorative items that do not exceed 15% of the textile products.
The same applies to ornamentations that are not more than 5%. However, You should include the phrase “Exclusive of ornamentations” in your textile products.
Pro Tip: Type or fibre content information in the same font and equal size for legibility. Also did not capitalize some words, while others are not capitalized.
Exceptions to the 5% rule
If you have wool or recycled wool, then you must disclose it even if it is less than five per cent of the product. You should list it by name and percentage of the total fibre weight.
Do you have multiple fibres with nonfunctional significance with less than 5% each? They aggregate them by their percentage on the label attached, even if it is greater than 5%.
Guidelines for Clothing Label Placement
The number one guiding principle here is visibility. So, you should place the labels in a conspicuous place. Depending on the required fibre content information, use one or separate labels.
According to the labelling requirements, the specific label placement location doesn’t really matter. That is as long as it is easy for the consumer to see the label.
Typically available is placed at the center inside the neck of collared clothing. The FTC mandates that the label must remain attached to the cloth until the consumer gets it.
JaceApparel can easily help you with this and other custom apparel needs. We give you custom branding clothes. You get to choose from all the latest techs, including embroidery, heat transfer, DTG, and so much more. Increase your brand visibility with us.
Size Labeling: Best Practices and Industry Standards
There are no federal textile Regulations or laws on size labels. So, if you wanted to, you could omit them. But I would highly advise against that when selling imported products.
A lot of manufacturers include them. They have become widely accepted as useful aids for customers alongside care instructions.
When including them, use standard sizing. These are provided by organizations such as ASTM International. That allows you to maintain consistency in your product line.
Consider using age-appropriate labelling with clear measurements, especially for children’s clothing. That way, the target audience easily understands the info on the imported fabric.
Pro insight: Some US states have particular textile product size label requirements. If you are exporting to a very particular state, familiarize yourself with the local law.
Katina Lin, OEM Apparel Manufacturer
Comparison of Clothing Label Requirements USA and European Union
| Requirement | USA | European Union |
| Fiber Content | The fiber content must be labeled clearly. The exact percentages of fibers must be disclosed. | Fiber content must be listed without abbreviations. Only 100% fibers can be labeled as such. |
| Country of Origin | The Country of Origin is mandatory and must be permanently affixed to the product. Visible at the time of purchase | Varies by the member state, as there is no EU-wide harmonization. |
| Producer Identity Information | Products must have registered identification numbers. | Manufacturer identification is not required, but branding is recommended. |
Comparison of Clothing Label Requirements USA and UK
| Requirement | USA | UK |
| Fiber Content | Labels must also state fibre composition. Clothing made from one material to be labelled as “100%” or “pure.” | Labels must also state fibre composition. Clothing made from one material is to be labelled as “100%” or “pure.” |
| Country of Origin | The Country of Origin is mandatory. Must be on the product and visible at the time of purchase | The fibre content must be labelled clearly. The exact percentages of fibres must be disclosed. |
| Producer Identity Information | Products must have registered identification numbers. | The identity of the manufacturer, importer, or retailer must be included. |
Comparison of Clothing Label Requirements USA and Australia
| Requirement | USA | Australia |
| Fiber Content | The fibre content must be labelled clearly. The exact percentages of fibres must be disclosed. | Composition disclosure is required by law. |
| Country of Origin | The Country of Origin is mandatory. Must be on the product and visible at the time of purchase | Must be included on all textiles to be imported. |
| Producer Identity Information | Products must have registered identification numbers. | Required. Labels must clearly state the producer’s identity. |
People Also Ask About Clothing Label Requirements USA
1. Are There Different Labeling Requirements for Clothes for Adults and Children?
The United States of America does not have specific labelling requirements for children. So, children’s clothes normally follow the regulations set for all textile products.
2. Does JaceApparel comply with USA clothing label requirements?
Yes, JaceApparel Fully complies with USA clothing label requirements. We have a team of compliant professionals who also guide you through everything. That way, you’re never caught out facing any fine.
3. Which textile goods get special labelling regulations?
Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts and Rules govern US regulations. These rules cover textile, wool, and fur products such as clothing, cushions, mats, and rugs. They also cover imported yarn curtains, casements, and fabrics.
4. What is required for labelling leather and fur?
When it comes to fire you must Tell your customers the animal name. Also include the country of origin and info on the treatment of the product. That could be anything from bleaching to colouring. These fur rules are the same ones used for leather products.
What’s Next
Clothing labels are important in the US apparel market. All you need is the right manufacturer, like JaceApparel, In your corner. They make quality clothes that are compliant with the US and other markets.
Not only do they upgrade the entire inventory, but they also organize the supply chain on the back end. With them, you also get reliable warehousing and logistics.
The clothes hit your shelf in record time. Stand ahead of the competition with the best. Reach out to JaceApparel, and let’s get started today.
Sources:
Ftc – Apparel and Labeling
Ftc – Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts
American Apparel & Footwear Association – Labeling Guidance: U.S. Rules, Regulations, and Guides