FTC Seeks Public Input in Review of Textile Labeling Rules

As part of the Federal Trade Commission's systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comment on its Textile Rules, which require that textiles sold in the United States carry labels disclosing the generic names and percentages by weight of the fibers in the product, the manufacturer or marketer name, and the country where the product was processed or manufactured. The FTC's Textile Rules implement the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.

The FTC last formally reviewed the Textile Rules in 1998. Since 1992, the FTC has reviewed all its rules and guides on a rotating basis to ensure they are up-to-date, effective, and not overly burdensome. The agency relies on input from the public, including consumers, businesses, advocates, industry experts and others, to help it decide whether rules and guides should be updated, left as is, or even rescinded.

In reviewing the Textile Rules, the FTC seeks comments on the benefits and costs of the rules, as well as whether the Commission should:

• modify the provision regarding generic names of manufactured fibers;
• clarify provisions for products containing elastic material and trimmings;
• address the use of multiple languages in required disclosures;
• clarify disclosure requirements for print and online advertising;
• clarify or reconsider the Rules' list of products excluded from the Textile Act;
• add or clarify terms in the Rules; and
• modify consumer and business education materials.

The FTC also seeks comment on the benefits and costs of the Textile Act's requirement that businesses use identification issued by the FTC under certain circumstances, and the extent to which retailers obtain guarantees for textile products and whether the extent or manner of textile importation indicates that the guarantee provisions of the Textile Rules and Act should be modified.

The Commission vote approving the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was 4-0. It is available on the FTC's website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register soon. Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice. Comments must be received by January 3, 2012. All comments received will be posted at www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm. (FTC File No. P948404; the staff contact is Robert M. Frisby, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2098)

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