| Clothing labels must be attached to all clothing sold in | | | | clothing was manufactured. This can be important for |
| the United States. These product labels have a | | | | payment of all the import fees, as well as ensuring that |
| standardized information scheme that has been | | | | inspection was carried out to US standards. |
| created by the Federal Trade Commission, which | | | | Many customers will also check the product label, as |
| ensures that you are getting what you have paid for. | | | | sometimes the retail price of a piece of clothing can |
| It also has other benefits such as warning you how to | | | | depend on the country it was manufactured in, and |
| properly clean and wash your garments, as well as | | | | other customers will not buy products made in certain |
| what types of clothing may be flammable. | | | | areas. In addition, there may be a trade embargo on |
| Clothing information is very important for certain types | | | | clothing manufactured in certain countries. |
| of businesses. The regulations cover the | | | | Labels are also important to ensure that clothing is |
| manufacturers of these products, as well as their | | | | easy for the buyer to clean and maintain. |
| importers. In addition to the sellers of complete | | | | Usually there is a product label telling the buyer what |
| products, labeling regulations are also required for | | | | water temperatures are acceptable for washing |
| sellers who sell pieces of fabric that are intended to be | | | | clothing. These include Hot, Warm, and Cold Water and |
| combined into a garment by people working at home. | | | | correspond to the temperatures on a washing |
| The laws also cover a controlling organization that is | | | | machine. Items that can be washed in hot water can |
| directing another person or company who is | | | | usually be safely washed in colder water, but items |
| performing manufacturing or importing. | | | | that are labeled cold water only may be discolored or |
| Some types of clothing are exempt from these rules. | | | | melted if placed in water that is too hot. These codes |
| Since these laws are intended to cover worn clothing | | | | are standardized by the American Association of |
| that covers the body, items that only cover a small | | | | Textile Chemists and Colorists. |
| portion of the body are exempt as well as items that | | | | A reasonable basis is required for all labeling |
| are normally worn as an outside covering for other | | | | instructions. One example is that you cannot place a |
| garments. This includes shoes and boots as well as | | | | product label of dry cleaning only on a piece of fabric |
| gloves and hats, as well as some smaller pieces of | | | | that can be washed in a normal washing machine. If |
| fabric and items such as ties, handkerchiefs, | | | | dyes are known to bleed, you can only allow machine |
| suspenders and belts that are worn over clothing that | | | | washing if you are sure that this is not likely to happen, |
| covers the body. | | | | and the best way to ensure that you are safe is to |
| Labels are usually made out of a material such as | | | | test the fabric yourself. |
| satin coated acetate, because this is relatively durable | | | | Since many fabrics are blends of several types of |
| so it can be folded, and the satin finish is attractive to | | | | material, you must make sure that the label accurately |
| clothing buyers. Other common materials used in | | | | describes the entire product. So if you have some |
| clothing labels include polyester, nylon, and cotton twill | | | | fabric that requires dry cleaning or a cold water wash |
| for printed labels, as well as taffeta, satin, and damask | | | | that is combined with a more durable fabric, use the |
| for woven labels. | | | | requirements for the less durable fabric as the main |
| Clothing labels focus on a few major areas. One of | | | | clothing label. |
| the most important areas is the country that the | | | | |