Labeling Guidance: U.S. Rules, Regulations, and Guides

Below is a list of helpful links to the relevant rules, regulations, and guides available for labeling apparel, footwear, textiles, and fashion accessories for the U.S. market.  

For more information on labeling, please contact Nate Herman at nherman@aafaglobal.org or (202) 853-9351.

Contents

  1. Relevant Government Agencies

  2. Textile and Apparel Labeling

  3. Textile Fiber Content Labeling

  4. Wool Labeling

  5. Leather Labeling

  6. Fur Labeling

  7. Down Labeling

  8. Material-Specific Labeling

  9. Care Labels

  10. Country of Origin and Made in USA Labeling

  11. Registered Identification Numbers

  12. Environmental Claims

  13. Other


Relevant Government Agencies:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
for Country of Origin Labeling

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
for particular labeling and marketing items related to product safety

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
for labeling products which include certain toxic chemicals such as pesticides

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
for Organic claims

Textile and Apparel Labeling:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce: A Guide to United States Apparel and Household Textiles Compliance Requirements [pdf]

The FTC's portal for Textile, Wool, Fur, and Leather Matters

FTC booklet produced in cooperation with AAFA: “Threading Your Way Through Labeling Requirements under the Textile and Wool Acts” 

FTC Enforcement Policy on Imported Textile, Wool, and Fur Products


Textile Fiber Content Labeling:

Federal Legislation: 

The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act

Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act


Wool Labeling:

Federal Legislation: 
The Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939

Rules and Regulations Under the Wool Products Labeling Act

FTC Guidance: 
Cachet of Cashmere: Complying with the Wool Products Labeling Act

Leather Labeling:

Leather and Imitation Leather Guides, 16 C.F.R. Part 24

Fur Labeling:

Federal Legislation: 
Fur Products Labeling Act

Rules and Regulations under the Fur Products Labeling Act

Federal Legislation: Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010

FTC Guidance: 
How to Comply with the Fur Products Labeling Act


Down Labeling:

FTC Guidance: 
Down... But Not Out: Advertising and Labeling of Feather and Down Products [pdf]

Uniform Law Labels for Filled Clothing [pdf]


Material-Specific Labeling:

FTC Guidance: 
Calling It Cotton: Labeling and Advertising Cotton Products

FTC Notice on Bamboo Fabrics:
How to Avoid Bamboozling Your Customers


Care Labels:

Federal Legislation: 
Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods

FTC Guidance: 
Clothes Captioning: Complying with the Care Labeling Rule


Country of Origin and Made in USA Labeling:

CBP Guidance: 
Country of Origin Labeling for Wearing Apparel

FTC Guidance: 
Complying with the Made in USA Standard

FTC Notice: 
Selling 'American Made' Products? What Businesses Need to Know About Making Made in USA Claims


Registered Identification Numbers:

Registered Identification Number (RN) Database

Apply for a new RN

Update an existing RN

FTC: RN Frequently Asked Questions


Environmental Claims:

FTC Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, “Green Guides”

USDA Policy Memorandum: 
Labeling of Textiles that Contain Organic Ingredients [pdf]

EPA Fact Sheet: 
Consumer Products Treated with Pesticides 


Other:

Federal Legislation: 
The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (not for textiles) 

FTC Notice: 
Wedding Gown Labels: Unveiling the Requirements

FTC Resources: 
Jewelry Labeling  


For more information on labeling, please contact Nate Herman at nherman@aafaglobal.org or (202) 853-9351.