What 16 CFR Parts 303 and 423 Require on Textile Labels, and the 2020 Repeal Proposal

Two federal rules set printed information for certain textile products sold in the United States. One covers what a product is made of, who made or marketed it, and where it was processed. The other covers how apparel should be cared for. Both are issued by the Federal Trade Commission, the first in 16 CFR Part 303 and the second in 16 CFR Part 423.

The two rules ask different things of a label. The fiber rule describes materials and origin, while the care rule requires instructions for regular use. This explainer covers what each requires, how the fiber rule was updated between 2011 and 2018, how stretch and multi-component fibers are listed, and how the FTC handled a 2020 proposal to repeal the care rule.

What the Textile Fiber Rule Requires on a Label

The FTC says its Textile Fiber Rule applies to certain textiles sold in the United States. Labels for those products must show three things: the generic name and percentage by weight of each constituent fiber, the name of the manufacturer or marketer, and the country where the product was processed or manufactured.

Whether a given product must carry these disclosures depends on the category of textile the regulation covers. Percentages are stated by weight. The origin disclosure refers to where the product was processed or manufactured, which is a separate item from the fiber content and the maker’s name.

Care Rule Status
The FTC ended its review of the Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 423) in a Federal Register notice published December 8, 2023, after saying on July 21, 2021 that it would not finalize the 2020 repeal proposal.

How the Textile Fiber Rule Was Updated From 2011 to 2018

The FTC’s dated actions on the rule include an advance notice of proposed rulemaking and request for public comment on Nov. 7, 2011. A notice of proposed rulemaking followed on May 20, 2013, and final rule amendments were published on April 4, 2014.

A June 4, 2014 notice conformed the Wool Rule to the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness Act and aligned it with the amended Textile Rules. Final rules issued under the Wool, Fur and Textile acts followed on Sept. 19, 2017.

The FTC lists a January 2018 update that removed an obsolete requirement, announced in a press release dated Jan. 18, 2018. The latest Federal Register notice on the FTC’s rule page is dated April 9, 2018 and concerns an OMB submission for the rule’s information collection.

How Fibers Are Listed for Blended and Stretch Products

Where 16 CFR 303.10 applies, fibers are listed in order of predominance by weight, meaning the largest share by weight comes first. Any fibers designated as other fiber or other fibers appear last. Section 303.10 then sets separate formats for products that contain elastic material and for manufactured fibers made from two or more chemically distinct components.

A wholly elastic product with minor non-elastic structural parts must state the elastomer’s percentage, along with the percentages of all textile coverings of the elastomer and of all other yarns or materials. A product that is partly elastic and partly other fabric must list the other fabric’s fibers by percentage. The elastic part may be labeled elastic, followed by its fibers, including the elastomer when it is present at 5 percent or more.

Manufactured fibers that are a physical combination of two or more chemically distinct components, combined at or prior to extrusion, must be disclosed with terms such as biconstituent fiber or multiconstituent fiber. Each component is listed by generic name and percentage by weight. The term matrix fiber may be used for matrix-fibril configurations.

Custom drapery or upholstery fabric made on hand-operated looms for a particular customer, in orders of up to 100 yards, has its own provision under the same section.

What the Care Labeling Rule Requires

The Care Labeling Rule, codified at 16 CFR Part 423, covers textile wearing apparel and certain piece goods. Manufacturers and importers must give purchasers regular care instructions, through labels or other methods.

The rule also bars deceptive acts or practices that fail to disclose those instructions. It requires appropriate terminology and symbols that accurately describe care procedures.

The agency’s record on the care rule includes amendments announced in a press release dated July 26, 2000, and steps taken in 2012 and 2014. The 2020 repeal proposal came after all three.

The FTC ended the review in a Federal Register notice published on December 8, 2023.

How the 2020 Repeal Proposal Was Closed

The FTC proposed repealing the care rule in 2020. A press release dated June 22, 2020 sought public comment, and supplemental notices of proposed rulemaking followed on June 23 and July 23, 2020. The Commission stated that the record suggests the rule may not be necessary to ensure manufacturers provide care instructions, may have failed to keep up with a dynamic marketplace, and may negatively affect the development of new technologies and disclosures.

The Commission received little support for repealing the Rule. Many commenters argued that cost savings would motivate manufacturers to avoid providing care instructions, and numerous cleaners said care instructions were critical to help them avoid damaging garments. On July 21, 2021, the Commission issued a statement that it would not finalize the repeal.

The FTC ended the review in a Federal Register notice published on December 8, 2023. The notice says the rule had been inactive since 2021 and closes the review that began with the 2011 advance notice; the review also included the 2012 proposed rule and the 2020 supplemental notice. The repeal was not finalized.

Where to Find the Current Text and Dated Actions

The FTC’s rule pages list dated Federal Register notices and press releases for each rule.