{"id":26,"date":"2026-10-05T19:12:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T19:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labelaccord.com\/blog\/?p=26"},"modified":"2026-10-05T19:17:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T19:17:37","slug":"us-clothing-labelling-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/labelaccord.com\/blog\/us-clothing-labelling-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"US Clothing Labelling Requirements: A Beginner\u2019s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Factual review: 6 October 2026. The federal-rule versions checked were current through 1 October 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Folded<\/p>\n

AI-generated editorial illustration; not a production-approved label or placement diagram.<\/em><\/p>\n

Clothing sold in the United States generally needs four information areas covered: fibre composition, country of origin, business identity and care instructions<\/strong>. These come from separate rules, with different scopes and exceptions. They do not necessarily need four separate labels. FTC textile rules, section 303.16<\/a>; FTC Care Labeling Rule<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For an overseas brand, the practical task is to establish the correct information before approving the artwork. A label prepared for another market should be checked against US requirements before reuse.<\/p>\n

This guide covers ordinary new adult textile clothing. Wool products need attention to the wool rules; children’s clothing, sleepwear and specialist products need additional review.<\/p>\n

Which US rules apply?<\/h2>\n

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) administers the main textile, wool and care-labelling rules. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) governs imported-goods origin marking and the applicable origin determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Information<\/th>\nMain federal references<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Fibre composition and business identity<\/td>\nTextile Fiber Products Identification Act and 16 CFR Part 303<\/strong>, or the Wool Products Labeling Act and Part 300<\/strong>, as applicable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Country of origin<\/td>\nTextile or wool rules, plus 19 CFR Part 134<\/strong> for imported-goods marking and section 102.21<\/strong> for textile-origin determination within its scope<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Care instructions<\/td>\nFTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 423<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The textile rules expressly exclude products required to be labelled under the Wool Act. Check which regime applies to the garment rather than treating them as identical requirements. Section 303.2(c)<\/a>; wool rules<\/a>; customs marking rules<\/a>; textile-origin rules<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Prepare the four information areas<\/h2>\n

Fibre composition<\/h3>\n

Use the required generic fibre names and percentages by weight. For covered textile blends, named fibres generally appear in descending order by weight, with qualifying \u201cother fiber\u201d or \u201cother fibers\u201d last. Minor fibres and wool can affect the declaration, so check the product details before approving it. Sections 303.3 and 303.16<\/a>; section 300.3<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A supplier’s fibre specification is a useful starting point for your review. Keep the composition decision separate from the care-treatment decision.<\/p>\n

Country of origin<\/h3>\n

For imported textile products, the FTC rules refer to origin determined under the laws and regulations enforced by CBP. The applicable textile rules use a sequence of tests; the country from which a garment was shipped is not, by itself, the answer. Section 303.33(d)<\/a>; section 102.21<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Collect the manufacturing history and confirm the origin declaration with the importer or customs adviser before printing labels.<\/p>\n

Business identity<\/h3>\n

Use a qualifying business name or an FTC Registered Identification Number (RN), as permitted by the applicable rule. An RN is not compulsory.<\/strong> RN issuance is restricted to qualifying US applicants, so an overseas brand should establish the appropriate identity disclosure with its supply-chain partners. Sections 303.19\u2013303.20<\/a>; sections 300.4 and 300.13<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Do not assume that a decorative brand logo alone fulfils the identification requirement.<\/p>\n

Care instructions<\/h3>\n

Manufacturers and importers covered by the care rule must have a reasonable basis for the instructions before sale. The rule generally requires an appropriate washing or drycleaning instruction, together with the applicable details and warnings. It does not require every garment to carry instructions for every possible cleaning method. Sections 423.4\u2013423.6<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Review the finished garment, including relevant components and finishes. Fibre percentages alone should not determine its care treatment.<\/p>\n

Check placement, language and durability<\/h2>\n

For covered textile and wool garments with a neck<\/strong>, the origin label belongs at the inside centre of the neck, midway between the shoulder seams, or close to another label attached there. Origin appears on the front of the label. Composition and business identity may appear on another conspicuous, readily accessible label. Section 303.15(b)<\/a>; section 300.5(b)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For a conventional shirt, an illustrative arrangement is an origin label at the neck and an accessible side-seam label carrying composition, business identity and care information. This shows placement only; each declaration still needs verification.<\/p>\n

Required textile and wool information must include English. Additional languages are possible, with specific requirements under the wool rule. Section 303.4<\/a>; section 300.7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Care labels must remain attached and legible throughout the garment’s useful life. If packaging or folding hides the care label at purchase, care information must also appear on the package exterior or an attached hang tag. Textile disclosures and customs origin marking have their own attachment and durability requirements. Sections 423.1(a) and 423.6(a)<\/a>; section 303.15(a)<\/a>; section 134.11<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Are care symbols required?<\/h2>\n

Symbols are an option, not a universal requirement.<\/strong> Appropriate words can fulfil the care rule. Its symbols-instead-of-words provision specifically names ASTM D5489-96c<\/strong>, subject to the rule’s conditions. Do not assume a different symbol system or newer edition is interchangeable for this purpose. Sections 423.2 and 423.8(g)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Choosing the presentation system does not establish that the treatment is suitable for the garment. That still requires supporting evidence.<\/p>\n

Check whether additional requirements apply<\/h2>\n

A textile label review does not complete the product-safety assessment. Consult the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) guidance on clothing<\/a>, including its separate treatment of children’s clothing and sleepwear.<\/p>\n

Arrange further review where the range includes fur, protective or medical products, or where state-specific requirements may apply. These subjects are outside this introductory checklist.<\/p>\n

Before approving production<\/h2>\n

Use this practical review sequence with your supplier and importer:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Confirm scope:<\/strong> product type, intended wearer and applicable rules.<\/li>\n
  2. Verify declarations:<\/strong> composition, origin and qualifying business identity.<\/li>\n
  3. Substantiate care:<\/strong> retain the evidence supporting the selected instructions.<\/li>\n
  4. Review the sample:<\/strong> placement, English wording, readability, attachment and durability.<\/li>\n
  5. Check sales information:<\/strong> confirm relevant online origin disclosures agree with the product label. Section 303.34<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  6. Assign final approval:<\/strong> ensure the factory receives the approved artwork and specification.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Once the information is established, labelAccord helps prepare care-label content and layouts with live preview.<\/p>\n

    Related guides<\/h2>\n