THE TEXTILE fiber PRODUCTS IDENTIFICATION ACT
RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER
THE TEXTILE fiber PRODUCTS IDENTIFICATION ACT
16 CFR Part 303
Table of Contents
| 303.1 | Terms defined. |
| 303.2 | General requirements. |
| 303.3 | fibers present in amounts of less than 5 percent. |
| 303.4 | English language requirement. |
| 303.5 | Abbreviations, ditto marks, and asterisks prohibited. |
| 303.6 | Generic names of fibers to be used. |
| 303.7 | Generic names and definitions for manufactured fibers. |
| 303.8 | Procedure for establishing generic names for manufactured fibers. |
| 303.9 | Use of fur-bearing animal names and symbols prohibited. |
| 303.10 | fiber content of special types of products. |
| 303.11 | Floor coverings containing backings, fillings, and paddings. |
| 303.12 | Trimmings of household textile articles. |
| 303.13 | Sale of remnants and products made of remnants. |
| 303.14 | Products containing unknown fibers. |
| 303.15 | Required label and method of affixing. |
| 303.16 | Arrangement and disclosure of information on labels. |
| 303.17 | Use of fiber trademarks and generic names on labels. |
| 303.18 | Terms implying fibers not present. |
| 303.19 | Name or other identification required to appear on labels. |
| 303.20 | Registered identification numbers. |
| 303.21 | Marking of samples, swatches, or specimens and products sold therefrom. |
| 303.22 | Products containing linings, interlinings, fillings, and paddings. |
| 303.23 | Textile fiber products containing superimposed or added fibers. |
| 303.24 | Pile fabrics and products composed thereof. |
| 303.25 | Sectional disclosure of content. |
| 303.26 | Ornamentation. |
| 303.27 | Use of the term "All" or "100%." |
| 303.28 | Products contained in packages. |
| 303.29 | Labeling of pairs or products containing two or more units. |
| 303.30 | Textile fiber products in form for consumer. |
| 303.31 | Invoice in lieu of label. |
| 303.32 | Products containing reused stuffing. |
| 303.33 | Country where textile fiber products are processed or manufactured. |
| 303.34 | Country of origin in mail order advertising. |
| 303.35 | Use of terms "virgin" or "new." |
| 303.36 | Form of separate guaranty. |
| 303.37 | Form of continuing guaranty from seller to buyer. |
| 303.38 | Continuing guaranty filed with Federal Trade Commission. |
| 303.39 | Maintenance of records |
| 303.40 | Use of terms in written advertisements that imply presence of a fiber. |
| 303.41 | Use of fiber trademarks and generic names in advertising. |
| 303.42 | Arrangement of information in advertising textile fiber products. |
| 303.43 | fiber content tolerances. |
| 303.44 | Products not intended for uses subject to the act. |
| 303.45 | Exclusions from the act. |
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise specifically requires:
(a) The term Act means the Textile fiber Products Identification Act (approved September 2, 1958, 85th Congress, 2d Sess.; 15 U.S.C. 70, 72 Stat. 1717).
(b) The terms rule, rules, regulations, and rules and regulations mean the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission pursuant to section 7(c) of the Act.
(c) The definition of terms contained in section 2 of the Act shall be applicable also to such terms when used in rules promulgated under the Act.
(d) The term United States means the several States, the District of Columbia, and the Territories and possessions of the United States.
(e) The terms required information and information required mean such information as is required to be disclosed on labels or invoices and in advertising under the Act and regulations.
(f) The terms label, labels, labeled, and labeling mean the stamp, tag, label, or other means of identification, or authorized substitute therefor, required to be on or affixed to textile fiber products by the Act and regulations and on which the information required is to appear.
(g) The terms marketing or handling and marketed or handled, when applied to textile fiber products, mean any one or all of the transactions set forth in section 3 of the Act.
(h) The terms invoice and invoice or other paper mean an account, order, memorandum, list, or catalog, which is issued to a purchaser, consignee, bailee, correspondent, agent, or any other person, in writing or in some other form capable of being read and preserved in a tangible form, in connection with the marketing or handling of any textile fiber product transported or delivered to such person.
(i) The term outer coverings of furniture, mattresses, and box springs means those coverings as are permanently incorporated in such articles.
(j) The term wearing apparel means any costume or article of clothing or covering for any part of the body worn or intended to be worn by individuals.
(k) The term beddings means sheets, covers, blankets, comforters, pillows, pillowcases, quilts, bedspreads, pads, and all other textile fiber products used or intended to be used on or about a bed or other place for reclining or sleeping but shall not include furniture, mattresses or box springs.
(l) The term headwear means any textile fiber product worn exclusively on or about the head or face by individuals.
(m) The term backings, when applied to floor coverings, means that part of a floor covering to which the pile, face, or outer surface is woven, tufted, hooked, knitted, or otherwise attached, and which provides the structural base of the floor covering. The term backing shall also include fabrics attached to the structural base of the floor covering in such a way as to form a part of such structural base, but shall not include the pile, face, or outer surface of the floor covering or any part thereof.
(n) The term elastic material means a fabric composed of yarn consisting of an elastomer or a covered elastomer.
(o) The term coated fabric means any fabric which is coated, filled, impregnated, or laminated with a continuous-film-forming polymeric composition in such a manner that the weight added to the base fabric is at least 35 percent of the weight of the fabric before coating, filling, impregnation, or lamination.
(p) The term upholstered product means articles of furniture containing stuffing and shall include mattresses and box springs.
(q) The term ornamentation means any fibers or yarns imparting a visibly discernible pattern or design to a yarn or fabric.
(r) The term fiber trademark means a word or words used by a person to identify a particular fiber produced or sold by him and to distinguish it from fibers of the same generic class produced or sold by others. Such term shall not include any trade mark, product mark, house mark, trade name or other name which does not identify a particular fiber.
(s) The term wool means the fiber from the fleece of the sheep or lamb or hair of the Angora or Cashmere goat (and may include the so-called specialty fibers from the hair of the camel, alpaca, llama, and vicuna) which has never been reclaimed from any woven or felted wool product.
(t) The term recycled wool means (1) the resulting fiber when wool has been woven or felted into a wool product which, without ever having been utilized in any way by the ultimate consumer, subsequently has been made into a fibrous state, or (2) the resulting fiber when wool or reprocessed wool has been spun, woven, knitted, or felted into a wool product which, after having been used in any way by the ultimate consumer, subsequently has been made into a fibrous state.
(u) The terms mail order catalog and mail order promotional material mean any materials, used in the direct sale or direct offering for sale of textile products, that are disseminated to ultimate consumers in print or by electronic means, other than by broadcast, and that solicit ultimate consumers to purchase such textile products by mail, telephone, electronic mail, or some other method without examining the actual product purchased.
(a) Each textile fiber product, except those exempted or excluded under section 12 of the Act, shall be labeled or invoiced in conformity with the requirements of the Act and regulations.
(b) Any advertising of textile fiber products subject to the Act shall be in conformity with the requirements of the Act and regulations.
(c) The requirements of the Act and regulations shall not be applicable to products required to be labeled under the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 (Pub. L. 76 - 850, 15 U.S.C. 68, 54 Stat. 1128).
(d) Any person marketing or handling textile fiber products who shall cause or direct a processor or finisher to label, invoice, or otherwise identify any textile fiber product with required information shall be responsible under the Act and regulations for any failure of compliance with the Act and regulations by reason of any statement or omission in such label, invoice, or other means of identification utilized in accordance with his direction: Provided, That nothing herein shall relieve the processor or finisher of any duty or liability to which he may be subject under the Act and regulations.
303.3 fibers present in amounts of less than 5 percent.
(a) Except as permitted in sections 4(b)(1) and 4(b)(2) of the Act, as amended, no fiber present in the amount of less than 5 percent of the total fiber weight shall be designated by its generic name or fiber trademark in disclosing the constituent fibers in required information, but shall be designated as "other fiber." When more than one of such fibers are present in a product, they shall be designated in the aggregate as "other fibers." Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the disclosure of any fiber present in a textile fiber product which has a clearly established and definite functional significance when present in the amount contained in such product, as for example:
"96 percent Acetate 4 percent Spandex."
(b) In making such disclosure, all of the provisions of the Act and regulations in this part setting forth the manner and form of disclosure of fiber content information, including the provisions of 303.17 and 303.41 of this part relating to the use of generic names and fiber trademarks, shall be applicable.
303.4 English language requirement.
All required information shall be set out in the English language. If the required information appears in a language other than English, it also shall appear in the English language. The provisions of this section shall not apply to advertisements in foreign language newspapers or periodicals, but such advertising shall in all other respects comply with the Act and regulations.
303.5 Abbreviations, ditto marks, and asterisks prohibited.
(a) In disclosing required information, words or terms shall not be designated
by ditto marks or appear in footnotes referred to by asterisks or other
symbols in required information, and shall not be abbreviated except as
permitted in
303.33(e) of this part.
(b) Where the generic name of a textile fiber is required to appear in immediate conjunction with a fiber trademark in advertising, labeling, or invoicing, a disclosure of the generic name by means of a footnote, to which reference is made by use of an asterisk or other symbol placed next to the fiber trademark, shall not be sufficient in itself to constitute compliance with the Act and regulations.
303.6 Generic names of fibers to be used.
(a) Except where another name is permitted under the Act and regulations, the respective generic names of all fibers present in the amount of 5 per centum or more of the total fiber weight of the textile fiber product shall be used when naming fibers in the required information; as for example: "cotton," "rayon," "silk," "linen," "nylon," etc.
(b) Where a textile fiber product contains the hair or fiber of a fur-bearing animal present in the amount 5 per centum or more of the total fiber weight of the product, the name of the animal producing such fiber may be used in setting forth the required information, provided the name of such animal is used in conjunction with the words "fiber," "hair," or "blend;" as for example:
80 percent Rabbit hair.
20 percent Nylon.
or
80 percent Silk.
20 percent Mink fiber.
(c) The term fur fiber may be used to describe the hair or fur fiber or mixtures thereof of any animal or animals other than the sheep, lamb, Angora goat, Cashmere goat, camel, alpaca, llama or vicuna where such hair or fur fiber or mixture is present in the amount of 5 per centum or more of the total fiber weight of the textile fiber product and no direct or indirect representations are made as to the animal or animals from which the fiber so designated was obtained; as for example:
60 percent Cotton.
40 percent Fur fiber.
or
50 percent Nylon.
30 percent Mink hair.
20 percent Fur fiber.
(d) Where textile fiber products subject to the Act contain (1) wool or (2) recycled wool in amounts of five per centum or more of the total fiber weight, such fibers shall be designated and disclosed as wool or recycled wool as the case may be.
303.7 Generic names and definitions for manufactured fibers.
Pursuant to the provisions of section 7(c) of the Act, the Commission hereby establishes the generic names for manufactured fibers, together with their respective definitions, set forth in this section, and the generic names for manufactured fibers, together with their respective definitions, set forth in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 2076: 1999(E), "Textiles -- Man- made fibres -- Generic names." This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd St., 13th floor, New York, N.Y. 10036. Copies may be inspected at the Federal Trade Commission, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol St., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC.
(a) Acrylic. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85 percent by weight of acrylonitrile units
(b) Modacrylic. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of less than 85 percent but at least 35 percent by weight of acrylonitrile units
except fibers qualifying under paragraph (j)(2) of this section and fibers qualifying under paragraph (q) of this section.
(c) Polyester. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of an ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid, including but not restricted to substituted terephthalate units,
and para substituted hydroxy-benzoate units,
Where the fiber is formed by the interaction of two or more chemically distinct polymers (of which none exceeds 85% by weight), and contains ester groups as the dominant functional unit (at least 85% by weight of the total polymer content of the fiber), and which, if stretched at least 100%, durably and rapidly reverts substantially to its unstretched length when the tension is removed, the term elasterell-p may be used as a generic description of the fiber.
(d) Rayon. A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose, as well as manufactured fibers composed of regenerated cellulose in which substituents have replaced not more than 15 percent of the hydrogens of the hydroxyl groups. Where the fiber is composed of cellulose precipitated from an organic solution in which no substitution of the hydroxyl groups takes place and no chemical intermediates are formed, the term lyocell may be used as a generic description of the fiber.
(e) Acetate. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is cellulose acetate. Where not less than 92 percent of the hydroxyl groups are acetylated, the term triacetate may be used as a generic description of the fiber.
(f) Saran. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance
is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 80 percent by weight
of vinylidene chloride units (
CH2
CCl2
).
(g) Azlon. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is composed of any regenerated naturally occurring proteins.
(h) Nytril. A manufactured fiber containing at least 85 percent
of a long chain polymer of vinylidene dinitrile (
CH2
C(CN)2
) where the vinylidene dinitrile content is no less than every other
unit in the polymer chain.
(i) Nylon. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polyamide in which less than 85 percent of the amide
linkages are attached directly to two aromatic rings.
(j) Rubber. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is comprised of natural or synthetic rubber, including the following categories:
(1) A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a hydrocarbon such as natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, copolymers of dienes and hydrocarbons, or amorphous (noncrystalline) polyolefins.
(2) A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a copolymer of acrylonitrile and a diene (such as butadiene) composed of not more than 50 percent but at least 10 percent by weight of acrylonitrile units
The term lastrile may be used as a generic description for fibers falling within this category.
(3) A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a polychloroprene or a copolymer of chloroprene in which at least 35 percent by weight of the fiber-forming substance is composed of chloroprene units
(k) Spandex. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polymer comprised of at least 85 percent of a segmented polyurethane.
(l) Vinal. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance
is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 50 percent by weight
of vinyl alcohol units (
CH2
CHOH
), and in which the total of the vinyl alcohol units and any one
or more of the various acetal units is at least 85 percent by weight of
the fiber.
(m) Olefin. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85 percent by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units, except amorphous (noncrystalline) polyolefins qualifying under paragraph (j)(1) of this section. Where the fiber-forming substance is a cross-linked synthetic polymer, with low but significant crystallinity, composed of at least 95 percent by weight of ethylene and at least one other olefin unit, and the fiber is substantially elastic and heat resistant, the term lastol may be used as a generic description of the fiber.
(n) Vinyon. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85 percent
by weight of vinyl chloride units (
CH2
CHCl
).
(o) Metallic. A manufactured fiber composed of metal, plastic-coated metal, metal-coated plastic, or a core completely covered by metal.
(p) Glass. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is glass.
(q) Anidex. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is any long chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 50 percent
by weight of one or more esters of a monohydric alcohol and acrylic acid,
CH2=CH
COOH.
(r) Novoloid. A manufactured fiber containing at least 85 percent by weight of a cross-linked novolac.
(s) Aramid. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polyamide in which at least 85 percent of the amide
linkages are attached directly to two aromatic rings.
(t) Sulfar. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is a long chain synthetic polysulfide in which at least 85% of
the sulfide (
S
) linkages are attached directly to two (2) aromatic rings.
(u) PBI. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain aromatic polymer having reoccurring imidazole groups as an integral part of the polymer chain.
(v) Elastoester. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 50% by
weight of aliphatic polyether and at least 35% by weight of polyester, as
defined in
303.7(c).
(w) Melamine. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a synthetic polymer composed of at least 50% by weight of a cross- linked melamine polymer.
(x) Fluoropolymer. A manufactured fiber containing at least 95% of a long-chain polymer synthesized from aliphatic fluorocarbon monomers.
(y) PLA. A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is composed of at least 85% by weight of lactic acid ester units derived from naturally occurring sugars.
303.8 Procedure for establishing generic names for manufactured
fibers.
(a) Prior to the marketing or handling of a manufactured fiber for which no generic name has been established or otherwise recognized by the Commission, the manufacturer or producer thereof shall file a written application with the Commission, requesting the establishment of a generic name for such fiber, stating therein:
(1) The reasons why the applicant's fiber should not be identified by one of the generic names established by the Commission in 303.7 of this part;
(2) The chemical composition of the fiber, including the fiber-forming substances and respective percentages thereof, together with samples of the fiber;
(3) Suggested names for consideration as generic, together with a proposed definition for the fiber;
(4) Any other information deemed by the applicant to be pertinent to the application, including technical data in the form of test methods;
(5) The earliest date on which the applicant proposes to market or handle the fiber in commerce for other than developmental or testing purposes.
(b) Upon receipt of the application, the Commission will, within sixty (60) days, either deny the application or assign to the fiber a numerical or alphabetical symbol for temporary use during further consideration of such application.
(c) After taking the necessary procedure in consideration of the application, the Commission in due course shall establish a generic name or advise the applicant of its refusal to grant the application and designate the proper existing generic name for the fiber.
303.9 Use of fur-bearing animal names and symbols prohibited.
(a) The advertising or the labeling of a textile fiber product shall not contain any names, words, depictions, descriptive matter, or other symbols which connote or signify a fur-bearing animal, unless such product or the part thereof in connection with which the names, words, depictions, descriptive matter, or other symbols are used is a fur product within the meaning ofthe Fur Products Labeling Act.
(b) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section and
303.6 of this part, a textile fiber product shall not be described or referred
to in any manner in an advertisement or label with:
(1) The name or part of the name of a fur-bearing animal, whether as a single word or a combination word, or any coined word which is phonetically similar to a fur-bearing animal name, or which is only a slight variation in spelling of a fur-bearing animal name or part of the name. As for example, such terms as "Ermine," "Mink," "Persian," "Broadtail," "Beaverton," "Marmink," "Sablelon," "Lam," "Pershian," "Minx," or similar terms shall not be used.
(2) Any word or name symbolic of a fur-bearing animal by reason of conventional usage or by reason of its close relationship with fur-bearing animals. As for example, such terms as "guardhair," "underfur," and "mutation," or similar terms, shall not be used.
(c) Nothing contained herein shall prevent:
(1) The nondeceptive use of animal names or symbols in referring to a textile fiber product where the fur of such animal is not commonly or commercially used in fur products, as that term is defined in the Fur Products Labeling Act, as for example "kitten soft," "Bear Brand," etc.
(2) The nondeceptive use of a trademark or trade name containing the name, symbol, or depiction of a fur-bearing animal unless:
(i) The textile fiber product in connection with which such trademark or trade name is used simulates a fur or fur product; or
(ii) Such trademark or trade name is used in any advertisement of a textile fiber product together with any depiction which has the appearance of a fur or fur product; or
(iii) The use of such trademark or trade name is prohibited by the Fur Products Labeling Act.
303.10 fiber content of special types of products.
(a) Where a textile product is made wholly of elastic yarn or material, with minor parts of non-elastic material for structural purposes, it shall be identified as to the percentage of the elastomer, together with the percentage of all textile coverings of the elastomer and all other yarns or materials used therein.
Where a textile fiber product is made in part of elastic material and in part of other fabric, the fiber content of such fabric shall be set forth sectionally by percentages as in the case of other fabrics. In such cases the elastic material may be disclosed by describing the material as elastic followed by a listing in order of predominance by weight of the fibers used in such elastic, including the elastomer, where such fibers are present by 5 per centum or more with the designation "other fiber" or "other fibers" appearing last when fibers required to be so designated are present. An example of labeling under this paragraph is:
Front and back non-elastic sections:
50 percent Acetate.
50 percent Cotton.
Elastic: Rayon, cotton, nylon, rubber.
(b) Where drapery or upholstery fabrics are manufactured on hand-operated looms for a particular customer after the sale of such fabric has been consummated, and the amount of the order does not exceed 100 yards (91.44m) of fabric, the required fiber content disclosure may be made by listing the fibers present in order of predominance by weight with any fiber or fibers required to be designated as "other fiber" or "other fibers" appearing last, as for example:
Rayon.
Wool.
Acetate.
Metallic.
Other fibers.
(c)(1) Where a manufactured textile fiber is essentially a physical combination
or mixture of two or more chemically distinct constituents or components
combined at or prior to the time of extrusion, which components if separately
extruded would each fall within different existing definitions of textile
fibers as set forth in
303.7 of this part, the fiber content disclosure as to such fiber, shall
for all purposes under the regulations in this part (i) disclose such fact
in the required fiber content information by appropriate nondeceptive descriptive
terminology, such as "biconstituent fiber" or "multiconstituent
fiber," (ii) set out the components contained in the fiber by the appropriate
generic name specified in
303.7 of this part in the order of their predominance by weight, and (iii)
set out the respective percentages of such components by weight.
(2) If the components of such fibers are of a matrix-fibril configuration, the term matrix-fibril fiber or matrix fiber may be used in setting forth the information required by this paragraph.
(3) Examples of proper fiber content designations under this paragraph are:
100% Biconstituent fiber
(65% Nylon, 35% Polyester)80% Matrix fiber(60% Nylon, 40% Polyester)
15% Polyester
5% Rayon
(4) All of the provisions as to fiber content disclosures contained in the Act and regulations, including the provisions relative to fiber content tolerances and disclosures of fibers present in amounts of less than 5 percentum of the total fiber weight, shall also be applicable to the designations and disclosures prescribed by this paragraph.
303.11 Floor coverings containing backings, fillings, and
paddings.
In disclosing the required fiber content information as to floor coverings containing exempted backings, fillings, or paddings, the disclosure shall be made in such manner as to indicate that it relates only to the face, pile, or outer surface of the floor covering and not to the backing, filling, or padding. Examples of the form of marking these types of floor coverings as to fiber content are as follows:
100% Cotton Pile
Face -- 60% Rayon, 40% Cotton
Outer Surface -- 100% Wool
303.12 Trimmings of household textile articles.
(a) Trimmings incorporated in articles of wearing apparel and other household textile articles may, among other forms of trim, include: (1) Rick-rack, tape, belting, binding, braid, labels (either required or non-required), collars, cuffs, wrist bands, leg bands, waist bands, gussets, gores, welts, and findings, including superimposed garters in hosiery, and elastic materials and threads inserted in or added to the basic product or garment in minor proportion for holding, reinforcing or similar structural purposes; (2) decorative trim, whether applied by embroidery, overlay, applique, or attachment; and (3) decorative patterns or designs which are an integral part of the fabric out of which the household textile article is made: Provided, That such decorative trim or decorative pattern or design, as specified in paragraphs (a) (2) and (3) of this section, does not exceed 15 percent of the surface area of the household textile article. If no representation is made as to the fiber content of the decorative trim or decoration, as provided for in paragraphs (a) (2) and (3) of this section, the fiber content designation of the basic fabric shall be followed by the statement "exclusive of decoration."
(b) The term findings may also include elastic material which constitutes a part of the basic fabric or material out of which the household textile article is made, where such elastic material does not exceed 20 percent of the surface area of the household textile article: Provided, That the required information as to fiber content of products subject to this paragraph is followed by the statement "exclusive of elastic."
303.13 Sale of remnants and products made of remnants.
(a) In disclosing the required fiber content information as to remnants of fabric which are for practical purposes of unknown or undeterminable fiber content:
(1) The fiber content disclosure of such remnants of fabrics may be designated in the required information as "remnants of undetermined fiber content."
(2) Where such remnants of fabrics are displayed for sale at retail, a conspicuous sign may, in lieu of individual labeling, be used in immediate conjunction with such display, stating with respect to required fiber content disclosure that the goods are "remnants of undetermined fiber content."
(3) Where textile fiber products are made of such remnants, the required fiber content information of the products may be disclosed as "made of remnants of undetermined fiber content." If any representations as to fiber content are made with respect to such remnants, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply.
(b) Where remnants of fabrics are marketed or handled in bales, bundles, or packages and are all of the same fiber content or are designated in the manner permitted by paragraph (a) of this section, the individual remnants need not be labeled if the bales, bundles, or packages containing such remnants are labeled with the required information including fiber content percentages or the designation permitted by paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Where remnants of fabrics of the same fiber content are displayed for sale at retail, a conspicuous sign may, in lieu of individual labeling, be used in immediate conjunction with such display, stating the fiber content information with respect to such remnants; as for example: "remnants, 100 percent cotton," "remnants, 50 percent rayon, 50 percent acetate," etc.
303.14 Products containing unknown fibers.
(a) Where a textile fiber product is made from miscellaneous scraps, rags, odd lots, secondhand materials, textile by-products, or waste materials of unknown, and for practical purposes, undeterminable fiber content, the required fiber content disclosure may, when truthfully applicable, in lieu of the fiber content disclosure otherwise required by the Act and regulations, indicate that such product is composed of miscellaneous scraps, rags, odd lots, textile by-products, secondhand materials (in case of secondhand materials, words of like import may be used) or waste materials, as the case may be, of unknown or undetermined fiber content, as for example:
Made of miscellaneous scraps of undetermined fiber content.
100% unknown fibers -- rags.
All undetermined fibers -- textile by-products.
100% miscellaneous odd lots of undetermined fiber content.
Secondhand materials -- fiber content unknown.
Made of unknown fibers -- waste materials.
(b) Where a textile fiber product is made in part from miscellaneous scraps, rags, odd lots, textile by-products, second-hand materials or waste materials of unknown and, for practical purposes, undeterminable fiber content together with a percentage of known or determinable fibers, the required fiber content disclosure may, when truthfully applicable, in lieu of the fiber content disclosure otherwise required by the Act and regulations, indicate the percentage of miscellaneous scraps, rags, odd lots, secondhand materials (in case of secondhand materials, words of like import may be used), textile by-products, or waste materials of unknown or undetermined fiber content and the percentage of known fibers, as for example:
45% Rayon
30% Acetate
25% Miscellaneous scraps of undetermined fiber content.
60% Cotton
40% Unknown fibers -- waste materials.
40% Acrylic
20% Modacrylic
40% Undetermined fibers -- odd lots.
50% Polyester
30% Cotton
20% Textile by-products of undetermined fiber content.
50% Rayon
50% Secondhand materials -- fiber content unknown.
45% Acetate
30% Cotton
25% Miscellaneous rags -- undetermined fiber content.
(c) No representation as to fiber content shall be made as to any textile product or any portion of a textile fiber product designated as composed of unknown or undetermined fibers. If any such representation is made, a full and complete fiber content disclosure shall be required.
(d) Nothing contained in this section shall excuse a full disclosure as to fiber content if the same is known or practically ascertainable.
303.15 Required label and method of affixing.
(a) A label is required to be affixed to each textile product and, where required, to its package or container in a secure manner. Such label shall be conspicuous and shall be of such durability as to remain attached to the product and its package throughout any distribution, sale, resale and until sold and delivered to the ultimate consumer.
(b) Each textile fiber product with a neck must have a label disclosing the country of origin affixed to the inside center of the neck midway between the shoulder seams or in close proximity to another label affixed to the inside center of the neck. The fiber content and RN or name of the company may be disclosed on the same label as the country of origin or on another conspicuous and readily accessible label or labels on the inside or outside of the garment. On all other textile products, the required information shall be disclosed on a conspicuous and readily accessible label or labels on the inside or outside of the product. The country of origin disclosure must always appear on the front side of the label. Other required information may appear either on the front side or the reverse side of a label, provided that the information is conspicuous and readily accessible.
(c) In the case of hosiery products, this section shall not be construed as requiring the affixing of a label to each hosiery product contained in a package if, (1) such hosiery products are intended for sale to the ultimate consumer in such package, (2) such package has affixed to it a label bearing the required information for the hosiery products contained in the package, and (3) the information on the label affixed to the package is equally applicable to each textile fiber product contained therein.
303.16 Arrangement and disclosure of information on labels.
(a) Subject to the provisions of
303.15(b), information required by the Act and regulations in this Part
may appear on any label or labels attached to the textile fiber product,
including the care label required by 16 CFR Part 423, provided all the pertinent
requirements of the Act and regulations in this Part are met and so long
as the combination of required information and non-required information
is not misleading. The required information shall include the following:
(1) The generic names and percentages by weight of the constituent fibers present in the textile fiber product, excluding permissive ornamentation, in amounts of 5 percent or more and any fibers disclosed in accordance with
303.3(a) shall appear in order of predominance by weight with any percentage of fiber or fibers required to be designated as "other fiber" or "other fibers" appearing last.
(2) The name, provided for in
303.19, or registered identification number issued by the Commission, of the manufacturer or of one or more persons marketing or handling the textile fiber product.
(3) The name of the country where such product was processed or manufactured, as provided for in
303.33.
(b) All parts of the required information shall be set forth in such a manner as to be clearly legible, conspicuous, and readily accessible to the prospective purchaser. All parts of the fiber content information shall appear in type or lettering of equal size and conspicuousness.
(c) Subject to the provisions of
303.17, any non-required information or representations placed on the product
shall not minimize, detract from, or conflict with required information
and shall not be false, deceptive, or misleading.
(d) Non-deceptive terms which are properly and truthfully descriptive of a fiber may be used in conjunction with the generic name of such fiber; as for example: "100 percent cross-linked rayon," "100 percent solution dyed acetate," "100 percent combed cotton," "100 percent nylon 66," etc.
303.17 Use of fiber trademarks and generic names on labels.
(a) A non-deceptive fiber trademark may be used on a label in conjunction with the generic name of the fiber to which it relates. Where such a trademark is placed on a label in conjunction with the required information, the generic name of the fiber must appear in immediate conjunction therewith, and such trademark and generic name must appear in type or lettering of equal size and conspicuousness.
(b) Where a generic name or a fiber trademark is used on any label, whether required or non-required, a full and complete fiber content disclosure shall be made in accordance with the Act and regulations the first time the generic name or fiber trademark appears on the label.
(c) If a fiber trademark is not used in the required information, but is used elsewhere on the label as non-required information, the generic name of the fiber shall accompany the fiber trademark in legible and conspicuous type or lettering the first time the trademark is used.
(d) No fiber trademark or generic name shall be used in non-required information on a label in such a manner as to be false, deceptive, or misleading as to fiber content, or to indicate directly or indirectly that a textile fiber product is composed wholly or in part of a particular fiber, when such is not the case.
303.18 Terms implying fibers not present.
Words, coined words, symbols or depictions, (a) which constitute or imply the name or designation of a fiber which is not present in the product, (b) which are phonetically similar to the name or designation of such a fiber, or (c) which are only a slight variation of spelling from the name or designation of such a fiber shall not be used in such a manner as to represent or imply that such fiber is present in the product.
303.19 Name or other identification required to appear
on labels.
(a) The name required by the Act to be used on labels shall be the name under which the person is doing business. Where a person has a word trademark, used as a house mark, registered in the United States Patent Office, such word trademark may be used on labels in lieu of the name otherwise required: Provided, The owner of such word trademark furnishes the Commission a copy of the registration prior to its use. No trademark, trade names, or other names except those provided for above shall be used for required identification purposes.
(b) Registered identification numbers, as provided for in
303.20 of this part, may be used for identification purposes in
lieu of the required name.
303.20 Registered identification numbers.
(a) Registered numbers for use as the required identification in lieu of the name on textile fiber product labels, as provided in section 4(b)(3) of the Act, will be issued by the Commission to qualified persons residing in the United States upon receipt of an application duly executed in the form set out in paragraph (d) of this section.
(b)(1) Registered identification numbers shall be used only by the person or concern to whom they are issued, and such numbers are not transferable or assignable.
(2) Registered identification numbers shall be subject to cancellation whenever any such number was procured or has been used improperly or contrary to the requirements of the Acts administered by the Federal Trade Commission, and regulations promulgated thereunder, or when otherwise deemed necessary in the public interest.
(3) Registered identification numbers shall be subject to cancellation if the Commission fails to receive prompt notification of any change in name, business address, or legal business status of a person or firm to whom a registered identification number has been assigned, by application duly executed in the form set out in paragraph (d) of this section, reflecting the current name, business address, and legal business status of the person or firm.
(c) Registered identification numbers assigned under this section may be used on labels required in labeling products subject to the provisions of the Wool Products Labeling Act and Fur Products Labeling Act, and numbers previously assigned by the Commission under such Acts may be used as and for the required name in labeling under this Act. When so used by the person or firm to whom assigned, the use of the numbers shall be construed as identifying and binding the applicant as fully and in all respects as though assigned under the specific Act for which it is used.
(d) Form to apply for a registered identification number or to update
information pertaining to an existing number (the form is available upon
request from: Enforcement Division, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580, or on the Internet at
http://www.ftc.gov; application may also
be made directly on the Internet):
Apply
Online
303.21 Marking of samples, swatches, or specimens and products
sold therefrom.
(a) Where samples, swatches, or specimens of textile fiber products subject to the Act are used to promote or effect sales of such textile fiber products, the samples, swatches, or specimens, as well as the products themselves, shall be labeled to show their respective fiber contents and other required information: Provided, That such samples, swatches or specimens need not be labeled:
(1) If the samples, swatches, or specimens are less than two square inches (12.9 cm
) in area and the information otherwise required to appear on the label is clearly, conspicuously, and non-deceptively disclosed on accompanying promotional matter in accordance with the Act and regulations;
(2) If the samples, swatches, or specimens are keyed to a catalogue to which reference is necessary in order to complete the sale of the textile fiber products, and which catalogue at the necessary point of reference clearly, conspicuously, and non-deceptively discloses the information otherwise required to appear on the label in accordance with the Act and regulations; or
(3) If such samples, swatches, or specimens are not used to effect sales to ultimate consumers and are not in the form intended for sale or delivery to, or for use by, the ultimate consumer, and are accompanied by an invoice or other paper showing the required information.
(b) Where properly labeled samples, swatches, or specimens are used to effect the sale of articles of wearing apparel or other household textile articles which are manufactured specifically for a particular customer after the sale is consummated, the articles of wearing apparel or other household textile articles need not be labeled if they are of the same fiber content as the samples, swatches, or specimens from which the sale was effected and an invoice or other paper accompanies them showing the information otherwise required to appear on the label.
303.22 Products containing linings, interlinings, fillings,
and paddings.
In disclosing the required information as to textile fiber products, the fiber content of any linings, interlinings, fillings, or paddings shall be set forth separately and distinctly if such linings, interlinings, fillings, or paddings are incorporated in the product for warmth rather than for structural purposes, or if any express or implied representations are made as to their fiber content. Examples are as follows:
100% Nylon
Interlining: 100% Rayon.
Covering: 100% Rayon
Filling: 100% Cotton.
303.23 Textile fiber products containing superimposed or
added fibers.
Where a textile fiber product is made wholly of one fiber or a blend of fibers with the exception of an additional fiber in minor proportion superimposed or added in certain separate and distinct areas or sections for reinforcing or other useful purposes, the product may be designated according to the fiber content of the principal fiber or blend of fibers, with an exception naming the superimposed or added fiber, giving the percentage thereof in relation to the total fiber weight of the principal fiber or blend of fibers, and indicating the area or section which contains the superimposed or added fiber. Examples of this type of fiber content disclosure, as applied to products having reinforcing fibers added to a particular area or section, are as follows:
55% Cotton
45% Rayon
Except 5% Nylon added to toe and heel.All Cotton except 1% Nylon added to neckband.
303.24 Pile fabrics and products composed thereof.
The fiber content of pile fabrics or products composed thereof may be stated on the label in such segregated form as will show the fiber content of the face or pile and of the back or base, with percentages of the respective fibers as they exist in the face or pile and in the back or base: Provided, That in such disclosure the respective percentages of the face and back be given in such manner as will show the ratio between the face and the back. Examples of the form of marking pile fabric as to fiber content provided for in this section are as follows:
100% Nylon Pile
100% Cotton Back
(Back constitutes 60% of fabric and pile 40%).
Face -- 60% Rayon, 40% Nylon
Back -- 70% Cotton, 30% Rayon
(Face constitutes 60% of fabric and back 40%).
303.25 Sectional disclosure of content.
(a) Permissive. Where a textile fiber product is composed of two or more sections which are of different fiber composition, the required information as to fiber content may be separated in the same label in such manner as to show the fiber composition of each section.
(b) Mandatory. The disclosure as above provided shall be made in all instances where such form of marking is necessary to avoid deception.
(a)(1) Where the textile fiber product contains fiber ornamentation not exceeding five per centum of the total fiber weight of the product and the stated percentages of the fiber content are exclusive of such ornamentation, the label or any invoice used in lieu thereof shall contain a phrase or statement showing such fact; as for example:
60% Cotton
40% Rayon
Exclusive of Ornamentation;
or
All Cotton
Exclusive of Ornamentation.
(2) The fiber content of such ornamentation may be disclosed where the percentage of the ornamentation in relation to the total fiber weight of the principal fiber or blend of fibers is shown; as for example:
70% Nylon
30% Acetate
Exclusive of 4% Metallic Ornamentation;
or
100% Rayon
Exclusive of 3% Silk Ornamentation.
(b) Where the fiber ornamentation exceeds five per centum, it shall be included in the statement of required percentages of fiber content.
(c) Where the ornamentation constitutes a distinct section of the product,
sectional disclosure may be made in accordance with
303.25 of this part.
303.27 Use of the term "All" or "100%."
Where a textile fiber product or part thereof is comprised wholly of one fiber, other than any fiber ornamentation, decoration, elastic, or trimming as to which fiber content disclosure is not required, either the word All or the term 100% may be used in labeling, together with the correct generic name of the fiber and any qualifying phrase, when required; as for example: "100% Cotton," "All Rayon, Exclusive of Ornamentation," "100% Acetate, Exclusive of Decoration," "All Nylon, Exclusive of Elastic," etc.
303.28 Products contained in packages.
When textile products are marketed and delivered in a package which is intended to remain unbroken and intact until after delivery to the ultimate consumer, each textile product in the package, except hosiery, and the package shall be labeled with the required information. If the package is transparent to the extent it allows for a clear reading of the required information on the textile product, the package is not required to be labeled.
303.29 Labeling of pairs or products containing two or
more units.
(a) Where a textile fiber product consists of two or more parts, units, or items of different fiber content, a separate label containing the required information shall be affixed to each of such parts, units or items showing the required information as to such part, unit, or item: Provided, That where such parts, units, or items are marketed or handled as a single product or ensemble and are sold and delivered to the ultimate consumer as a single product or ensemble, the required information may be set out on a single label in such a manner as to separately show the fiber composition of each part, unit, or item.
(b) Where garments, wearing apparel, or other textile fiber products are marketed or handled in pairs or ensembles of the same fiber content, only one unit of the pair or ensemble need be labeled with the required information when sold and delivered to the ultimate consumer.
303.30 Textile fiber products in form for consumer.
A textile fiber product shall be considered to be in the form intended for sale or delivery to, or for use by, the ultimate consumer when the manufacturing or processing of the textile fiber product is substantially complete. The fact that minor or insignificant details of the manufacturing or processing have not been completed shall not excuse the labeling of such products as to the required information. For example, a garment must be labeled even though such matters as the finishing of a hem or cuff or the affixing of buttons thereto remain to be completed.
303.31 Invoice in lieu of label.
Where a textile fiber product is not in the form intended for sale, delivery to, or for use by the ultimate consumer, an invoice or other paper may be used in lieu of a label, and such invoice or other paper shall show, in addition to the name and address of the person issuing the invoice or other paper, the fiber content of such product as provided in the Act and regulations as well as any other required information.
303.32 Products containing reused stuffing.
Any upholstered product, mattress, or cushion which contains stuffing which has been previously used as stuffing in any other upholstered product, mattress, or cushion shall have securely attached thereto a substantial tag or label, at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) by 3 inches (7.62 cm) in size, and statements thereon conspicuously stamped or printed in the English language and in plain type not less than 1/3 inch (8.38 mm) high, indicating that the stuffing therein is composed in whole or in part of "reused stuffing," "secondhand stuffing," "previously used stuffing," or "used stuffing."
303.33 Country where textile fiber products are processed
or manufactured.
(a) In addition to the other information required by the Act and regulations:
(1) Each imported textile fiber product shall be labeled with the name of the country where such imported product was processed or manufactured;
(2) Each textile fiber product completely made in the United States of materials that were made in the United States shall be labeled using the term Made in U.S.A. or some other clear and equivalent term;
(3) Each textile fiber product made in the United States, either in whole or part of imported materials, shall contain a label disclosing these facts; for example:
"Made in USA of imported fabric"
or
"Knitted in USA of imported yarn" and
(4) Each textile fiber product partially manufactured in a foreign country and partially manufactured in the United States shall contain on a label the following information:
(i) The manufacturing process in the foreign country and in the USA; for example:
"Imported cloth, finished in USA"
or
"Sewn in USA of imported components"
or
"Made in [foreign country], finished in USA"
or
"Scarf made in USA of fabric made in China"
or
"Comforter Filled, Sewn and Finished in the U.S. with Shell Made in China."
or
"Made in [foreign country]/fabric made in USA"
or
"Knit is USA, assemble in [foreign country]."
(ii) When the U.S. Customs Service requires an origin label on the unfinished product, the manufacturing processes as required in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section or the name of the foreign country required by Customs, for example:
"Made in (foreign country)".
(b) For the purpose of determining whether a product should be marked under paragraphs (a) (2), (3), or (4) of this section, a manufacturer needs to consider the origin of only those materials that are covered under the Act and that are one step removed from that manufacturing process. For example, a yarn manufacturer must identify fiber if it is imported, a cloth manufacturer must identify imported yarn and a household product manufacturer must identify imported cloth or imported yarn for household products made directly from yarn, or imported fiber used as filling for warmth.
(c) The term country means the political entity known as a nation. Except for the United States, colonies, possessions or protectorates outside the boundaries of the mother country shall be considered separate countries, and the name thereof shall be deemed acceptable in designating the country where the textile fiber product was processed or manufactured unless the Commission shall otherwise direct.
(d) The country where the imported textile fiber product was principally made shall be considered to be the country where such textile fiber product was processed or manufactured. Further work or material added to the textile fiber product in another country must effect a basic change in form in order to render such other country the place where such textile fiber product was processed or manufactured.
(e) The English name of the country where the imported textile fiber product was processed or manufactured shall be used. The adjectival form of the name of the country will be accepted as the name of the country where the textile fiber product was processed or manufactured, provided the adjectival form of the name does not appear with such other words so as to refer to a kind or species of product. Variant spellings which clearly indicate the English name of the country, such as Brasil for Brazil and Italie for Italy, are acceptable. Abbreviations which unmistakably indicate the name of a country, such as "Gt. Britain" for "Great Britain," are acceptable.
(f) Nothing in this rule shall be construed as limiting in any way the information required to be disclosed on labels under the provisions of any Tariff Act of the United States or regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
303.34 Country of origin in mail order advertising.
When a textile fiber product is advertised in any mail order catalog or mail order promotional material, the description of such product shall contain a clear and conspicuous statement that the product was either made in U.S.A., imported, or both. Other words or phrases with the same meaning may be used. The statement of origin required by this section shall not be inconsistent with the origin labeling of the product being advertised.
303.35 Use of terms "virgin" or "new."
The terms virgin or new as descriptive of a textile fiber product, or any fiber or part thereof, shall not be used when the product or part so described is not composed wholly of new or virgin fiber which has never been reclaimed from any spun, woven, knitted, felted, bonded, or similarly manufactured product.
303.36 Form of separate guaranty.
(a) The following are suggested forms of separate guaranties under section 10 of the Act which may be used by a guarantor residing in the United States on or as part of an invoice or other paper relating to the marketing or handling of any textile fiber products listed and designated therein, and showing the date of such invoice or other paper and the signature and address of the guarantor.
(1) General form. We guarantee that the textile fiber products specified herein are not misbranded nor falsely nor deceptively advertised or invoiced under the provisions of the Textile fiber Products Identification Act and rules and regulations thereunder.
(2) Guaranty based on guaranty. Based upon a guaranty received, we guarantee that the textile fiber products specified herein are not misbranded nor falsely nor deceptively advertised or invoiced under the provisions of the Textile fiber Products Identification Act and rules and regulations thereunder.
Note: The printed name and address on the invoice or other paper will suffice to meet the signature and address requirements.
(b) The mere disclosure of required information including the fiber content of a textile fiber product on a label or on an invoice or other paper relating to its marketing or handling shall not be considered a form of separate guaranty.
303.37 Form of continuing guaranty from seller to buyer.
Under section 10 of the Act, a seller residing in the United States may give a buyer a continuing guaranty to be applicable to all textile fiber products sold or to be sold. The following is the prescribed form of continuing guaranty from seller to buyer.
We, the undersigned, guaranty that all textile fiber products now being sold or which may hereafter be sold or delivered to ______ are not, and will not be misbranded nor falsely nor deceptively advertised or invoiced under the provisions of the Textile fiber Products Identification Act and rules and regulations thereunder. This guaranty effective until ____________ .
Dated, signed, and certified this ___ day of ________ , 19___, at _____________ (City), ______________ (State or Territory), _______________, (name under which business is conducted).
Under penalty of perjury, I certify that the information supplied in this form is true and correct.
___________________________________________________ Signature of Proprietor, Principal Partner, or Corporate Official ___________________________________________________ Name (Print or Type), Title
303.38 Continuing guaranty filed with Federal Trade Commission.
(a)(1) Under section 10 of the act any person residing in the United States and marketing or handling textile fiber products may file a continuing guaranty with the Federal Trade Commission. When filed with the Commission a continuing guaranty shall be fully executed in duplicate. Forms for use in preparing continuing guaranties will be supplied by the Commission upon request.
(2) Continuing guaranties filed with the Commission shall continue in effect until revoked. The guarantor shall promptly report any change in business status to the Commission.
(b) The prescribed form for a continuing guaranty is available upon request from the Division of Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580. The form is also on the Internet at http://www.ftc.gov and then click on Business Guidance, and then Textile, Wool & Fur Matters, or click here:
(c) Any person who has a continuing guaranty on file with the Commission may, during the effective dates of the guaranty, give notice of such fact by setting forth on the invoice or other paper covering the marketing or handling of the product guaranteed the following:
Continuing guaranty under the Textile fiber Products Identification Act filed with the Federal Trade Commission.
(d) Any person who falsely represents in writing that he has a continuing guaranty on file with the Federal Trade Commission when such is not a fact shall be deemed to have furnished a false guaranty under section 10(b) of the Act.
303.39 Maintenance of records.
(a) Pursuant to the provisions of section 6 of the Act, every manufacturer of a textile fiber product subject to the Act, irrespective of whether any guaranty has been given or received, shall maintain records showing the information required by the Act and regulations with respect to all such textile fiber products made by such manufacturer. Such records shall show:
(1) The generic names and percentages by weight of the constituent fibers present in the textile fiber product, exclusive of permissive ornamentation, in amounts of five per centum or more.
(2) The name, provided for in
303.19, or registered identification number issued by the Commission, of
the manufacturer or of one or more persons marketing or handling the textile
fiber product.
(3) The name of the country where such product was processed or manufactured
as provided for in
303.33.
The purpose of the records is to permit a determination that the requirements of the Act and Regulations have been met and to establish a traceable line of continuity from raw material through processing to finished product.
(b) Any person substituting a stamp, tag, label, or other identification pursuant to section 5(b) of the Act shall keep such records as will show the information set forth on the stamp, tag, label, or other identification that he removed and the name or names of the person or persons from whom such textile fiber product was received.
(c) The records required to be maintained pursuant to the provisions of this rule shall be preserved for at least three years.
303.40 Use of terms in written advertisements that imply
presence of a fiber.
The use of terms in written advertisements, including advertisements disseminated through the Internet and similar electronic media, that are descriptive of a method of manufacture, construction, or weave, and that by custom and usage are also indicative of a textile fiber or fibers, or the use of terms in such advertisements that constitute or connote the name or presence of a fiber or fibers, shall be deemed to be an implication of fiber content under section 4(c) of the Act, except that the provisions of this section shall not be applicable to non-deceptive shelf or display signs in retail stores indicating the location of textile fiber products and not intended as advertisements.
303.41 Use of fiber trademarks and generic names in advertising.
(a) In advertising textile fiber products, the use of a fiber trademark shall require a full disclosure of the fiber content information required by the Act and regulations in at least one instance in the advertisement.
(b) Where a fiber trademark is used in advertising textile fiber products containing more than one fiber, other than permissible ornamentation, such fiber trademark and the generic name of the fiber must appear in the required fiber content information in immediate proximity and conjunction with each other in plainly legible type or lettering of equal size and conspicuousness.
(c) Where a fiber trademark is used in advertising textile fiber products containing only one fiber, other than permissive ornamentation, such fiber trademark and the generic name of the fiber must appear in immediate proximity and conjunction with each other in plainly legible and conspicuous type or lettering at least once in the advertisement.
(d) Where a fiber trademark or generic name is used in non-required information in advertising, such fiber trademark or generic name, shall not be used in such a manner as to be false, deceptive, or misleading as to fiber content, or to indicate, directly or indirectly, that a textile fiber product is composed wholly or in part of a particular fiber, when such is not the case.
303.42 Arrangement of information in advertising textile
fiber products.
(a) Where a textile fiber product is advertised in such manner as to require disclosure of the information required by the Act and regulations, all parts of the required information shall be stated in immediate conjunction with each other in legible and conspicuous type or lettering of equal size and prominence. In making the required disclosure of the fiber content of the product, the generic names of fibers present in an amount 5 percent or more of the total fiber weight of the product, together with any fibers disclosed in accordance with 303.3(a), shall appear in order of predominance by weight, to be followed by the designation "other fiber" or "other fibers" if a fiber or fibers required to be so designated are present.
(b) Non-required information or representations shall in no way be false, deceptive, or misleading as to fiber content and shall not include any names, terms, or representations prohibited by the Act and regulations. Such non-required information or representations shall not be set forth or so used as to interfere with, minimize, or detract from the required information.
(c) Non-deceptive terms which are properly and truthfully descriptive of a fiber may be used in conjunction with the generic name of such fiber; as for example: "cross-linked rayon," "solution dyed acetate," "combed cotton," "nylon 66," etc.
303.43 fiber content tolerances.
(a) A textile fiber product which contains more than one fiber shall not be deemed to be misbranded as to fiber content percentages if the percentages by weight of any fibers present in the total fiber content of the product, exclusive of permissive ornamentation, do not deviate or vary from the percentages stated on the label in excess of 3 percent of the total fiber weight of the product. For example, where the label indicates that a particular fiber is present in the amount of 40 percent, the amount of such fiber present may vary from a minimum of 37 percent of the total fiber weight of such product to a maximum of 43 percent of the total fiber weight of such product.
(b) Where the percentage of any fiber or fibers contained in a textile fiber product deviates or varies from the percentage stated on the label by more than the tolerance or variation provided in paragraph (a) of this section, such product shall be misbranded unless the person charged proves that the entire deviation or variation from the fiber content percentages stated on the label resulted from unavoidable variations in manufacture and despite the exercise of due care.
(c) Where representations are made to the effect that a textile fiber product is composed wholly of one fiber, the tolerance provided in section 4(b)(2) of the Act and paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply, except as to permissive ornamentation where the textile fiber product is represented to be composed of one fiber "exclusive of ornamentation."
303.44 Products not intended for uses subject to the act.
Textile fiber products intended for uses not within the scope of the Act and regulations or intended for uses in other textile fiber products which are exempted or excluded from the Act shall not be subject to the labeling and invoicing requirements of the Act and regulations: Provided, An invoice or other paper covering the marketing or handling of such products is given, which indicates that the products are not intended for uses subject to the Textile fiber Products Identification Act.
303.45 Exclusions from the act.
(a) Pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act, the Commission hereby excludes from the operation of the Act:
(1) All textile fiber products except: (i) Articles of wearing apparel;
(ii) Handkerchiefs; (iii) Scarfs; (iv) Beddings; (v) Curtains and casements;
(vi) Draperies; (vii) Tablecloths, napkins, and doilies; (viii) Floor coverings;
(ix) Towels; (x) Wash cloths and dish cloths; (xi) Ironing board covers
and pads; (xii) Umbrellas and parasols; (xiii) Batts; (xiv) Products subject
to section 4(h) of the Act; (xv) Flags with heading or more than 216 square
inches (13.9 dm
) in size; (xvi) Cushions; (xvii) All fibers, yarns and fabrics (including
narrow fabrics except packaging ribbons); (xviii) Furniture slip covers
and other covers or coverlets for furniture; (xix) Afghans and throws; (xx)
Sleeping bags; (xxi) Antimacassars and tidies; (xxii) Hammocks; (xxiii)
Dresser and other furniture scarfs.
(2) Belts, suspenders, arm bands, permanently knotted neckties, garters, sanitary belts, diaper liners, labels (either required or non-required) individually and in rolls, looper clips intended for handicraft purposes, book cloth, artists' canvases, tapestry cloth, and shoe laces.
(3) All textile fiber products manufactured by the operators of company stores and offered for sale and sold exclusively to their own employees as ultimate consumers.
(4) Coated fabrics and those portions of textile fiber products made of coated fabrics.
(5) Secondhand household textile articles which are discernibly secondhand or which are marked to indicate their secondhand character.
(6) Non-woven products of a disposable nature intended for one-time use only.
(7) All curtains, casements, draperies, and table place mats, or any portions thereof otherwise subject to the Act, made principally of slats, rods, or strips, composed of wood, metal, plastic, or leather.
(8) All textile fiber products in a form ready for the ultimate consumer procured by the military services of the United States which are bought according to specifications, but shall not include those textile fiber products sold and distributed through post exchanges, sales commissaries, or ship stores; provided, however, that if the military services sell textile fiber products for nongovernmental purposes the information with respect to the fiber content of such products shall be furnished to the purchaser thereof who shall label such products in conformity with the Act and regulations before such products are distributed for civilian use.
(9) All hand woven rugs made by Navajo Indians which have attached thereto the "Certificate of Genuineness" supplied by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board of the United States Department of Interior. The term Navajo Indian means any Indian who is listed on the register of the Navajo Indian Tribe or is eligible for listing thereon.
(b) The exclusions provided for in paragraph (a) of this section shall not be applicable
(1) if any representations as to the fiber content of such products are made on any label or in any advertisement without making a full and complete fiber content disclosure on such label or in such advertisement in accordance with the Act and regulations with the exception of those products excluded by paragraph (a)(6) of this section, or
(2) if any false, deceptive, or misleading representations are made as to the fiber content of such products.
(c) The exclusions from the Act provided in paragraph (a) of this section are in addition to the exemptions from the Act provided in section 12(a) of the Act and shall not affect or limit such exemptions.
The above information is from the Federal Trade Commission. Originally found on the following web page https://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/textile/rr-textl.htm#303.1 This information is being posted on the Apparel Search web site in 2005. We suggest you contact directly with the FTC ( https://www.ftc.gov/ ) to confirm all information posted on this page for accuracy. This may be dated material and you should contact the FTC if you have questions. It is possible that they have posted a more current & updated version of the above information.
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