U.S. – FTC Votes Against Repeal of the Care Labeling Rule

Vol. 1261 | 23 Jul 2021

On July 21, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted unanimously (5-0) to not repeal, as previously proposed, its trade regulation rule on Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods as Amended (“Care Labeling Rule”). The FTC also informed that it will continue to consider ways to improve the Care Labeling Rule.

The Care Labeling Rule requires manufacturers and importers of textile wearing apparel and certain piece goods to attach labels to their products disclosing the care needed during the ordinary use of the product. The Care Labeling Rule also requires manufacturers or importers to possess a reasonable basis for care instructions and allows the use of approved care symbols in lieu of words to disclose those instructions.

Last year the FTC had published a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comments whether to repeal the Care Labeling Rule in its entirety, as well as comment on the costs, benefits, and market effects of repealing it as proposed, and particularly the cost on small businesses. The FTC received more than 200 comments, with majority of the comments opposing the repeal of the rule.

The FTC press release can be reviewed at: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/07/ftc-votes-reverse-course-repeal-fabric-care-labels

For more information, please contact Dr. Stella Li (xingyu.li@intertek.com, +1- 503-351-9612), or Dr. Pratik Ichhaporia (pratik.ichhaporia@intertek.com, +1-847-212-8273).