U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Amends Wool Products Labeling Rules
Vol. 771 | June 06, 2014
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amended the Wool Products Labeling Rules – 16 CFR 300 to conform the regulations to the requirements of the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act (Conforming Act) that was passed in 2006, and align with the recently amended Textile labeling rules – 16 CFR 303¹.
The amended rule was published in Federal Register² on June 4, 2014 and these changes become effective July 7, 2014.
Following is an overview of the major amendments to the regulation:
- Definitions:
- Add definition for Cashmere fibers: The term “cashmere” can be used only if
- Fiber is from a cashmere goat (capra hircus laniger),
- Average cashmere fiber diameter does not exceed 19 microns, AND
- Cashmere fiber in such wool product does not contain more than 3%, by weight, of cashmere fibers with average diameter that exceed 30 microns.
- Coefficient of variation for the average fiber diameter shall not exceed 24%.
- Add definition for Very fine wools. The wool products described by certain terms (e.g., “super 80’s” or “80’s”, “super 90’s” or “90’s”, “super 100’s” or “100’s”, etc.) shall meet the average diameter, in microns, specified in 16 CFR 300.20a of the rule.
- Clarification on use of term “virgin” or “new” – Clarified that the terms virgin or new shall not be used when the product, fiber or any part described as such is not composed completely of new or virgin fiber that have never been reclaimed from any spun, woven, knitted, felted, bonded or similarly manufactured product.
- Hang-tags – Allows use of hang-tags disclosing fiber names and trademark, and performance information without full fiber content disclosure. However, if the product contains any fiber other than the fiber identified on hang-tag by generic name or trademark, the hang-tag must clearly and conspicuously disclose that it does not provide the product’s full fiber content. Example:
"This tag does not disclose the product’s full fiber content." Or
"See label for the product’s full fiber content.’" - Country of Origin: Rule was amended to update and clarify that an imported product’s country-of-origin as determined under the laws and regulations enforced by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall be the country where the product was processed or manufactured.
- Continuing Guaranties: To better address electronic commerce the definition of the terms invoice and invoice or other document is referenced from 16 CFR 303 – Textile Fiber Products Labeling Identification Act.
For questions, please contact:
Dr. Pratik Ichhaporia
Tel: +1.312.906.7720
Email: pratik.ichhaporia@intertek.com