Textile Labels: What Clothing and Linen Sellers Must Disclose

Most clothing, scarves, handkerchiefs and bedding sold in the United States must carry a label that lists the fiber content, the country of origin, and either the company name or a Registered Identification Number (RN) of the business responsible for the product. The FTC enforces these requirements under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act and the Wool Products Labeling Act, and its business guidance says they apply if you "manufacture, import, sell, offer to sell, distribute or advertise" covered products. That includes a one-person shop reselling or making goods. The FTC guidance used here was published in 2014 and describes the amendments effective May 5, 2014; the eCFR text of 16 CFR Part 303 (current as of October 9, 2026) still contains the 5 percent and 15 percent thresholds below. Check the current rule text before printing a large run of labels.

1. What is covered and what is not

According to the FTC, most clothing and household textiles are covered. Clothing (except hats and shoes), handkerchiefs, scarves and bedding such as sheets, blankets, comforters, pillowcases and quilts are on the covered list. Outer coverings for mattresses and box springs are not.

The guidance also lists products that are not covered, including headwear, baby equipment such as strollers and carriers, dog coats and other pet clothing, and holiday decorations. A product containing wool can still fall under the Wool Act even if the Textile Act exempts it, and the FTC gives hats and slippers as examples. If a textile product is meant for a use the Textile Act does not cover, the FTC says it should be accompanied by an invoice or other document stating that.

2. The three things a label must show

1. Fiber content. List each fiber by its generic name and its percentage of the product's fiber weight. Manufactured fibers must be identified by their generic names, such as polyester, rather than by a brand name alone. Percentages may be rounded to the nearest whole number: the FTC's example is that 60.4% polyester and 39.6% cotton can be labeled 60% polyester and 40% cotton.

Some parts of a garment do not count toward the fiber disclosure, even if they are made of fibers. These include linings (unless used for warmth), threads that hold the garment together, and small amounts of ornamentation or decoration. Ornamentation (fibers that create a visible pattern) that does not exceed 5% of the product's fiber weight is exempt, and the label then says "Exclusive of Ornamentation." Separately, decorative trim or embroidery covering no more than 15% of the surface area is exempt, and the label then says "exclusive of decoration"; above 15%, or if you advertise the trim's fiber, the label must list it as its own section. Fibers under 5% of the total are generally listed as "other fiber," except wool or a fiber with a functional purpose such as spandex for stretch. Non-fiber parts such as buttons, zippers, beads and sequins do not need to be listed.

2. Country of origin. Imported products must name the country where they were processed or manufactured. A product made entirely in the U.S. of U.S.-made materials can say "Made in U.S.A." If it uses imported materials, the label must say so, for example "Made in U.S.A. of imported fabric" or "Knitted in U.S.A. of imported yarn." The FTC adds that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has its own origin marking rules, and for imports both sets of rules apply.

3. Who is responsible. The label must carry the company name or an RN. The name must be the full name under which the company does business, as on its invoices, and cannot be a brand, label or designer name unless that is the company's business name. The FTC says an RN is issued and registered by the FTC to a U.S. firm that manufactures, imports, markets or handles textile, wool or fur products, and that an RN is not required to do business in the U.S.

3. The 3% tolerance, and where it stops

The FTC allows a 3% tolerance on fiber content claims. A label that says 40% cotton is acceptable if the real figure is between 37% and 43%. The guidance is clear that this is not permission to misstate what you know: if you know the product has 37% cotton, the label should say 37%.

There is no tolerance for single-fiber claims. In the FTC's example, a blouse with 97% silk and 3% polyester cannot be labeled "100% silk," because the polyester was intentionally added.

Another way to read it: the tolerance covers small, unintended manufacturing variation, not a rounding habit. A blend you know is 52% acrylic, 31% cotton and 17% polyester should be labeled with those numbers, not 50/30/20.

4. Selling online

The FTC says the origin rules extend to mail order and internet advertising. Product descriptions in an online listing must state that the product was made in the U.S.A., imported, or both. The guidance gives three phrasings: "Made in U.S.A. and Imported" for U.S. manufacture from imported materials or split processing, "Made in U.S.A. or Imported" when some units come from each source, and plain "Made in U.S.A." only if all units were made completely in the U.S. of U.S. materials. The listing must also match the label on the product.

If you use a fiber trademark in an online ad, the FTC says you must disclose the fiber content at least once in that ad.

5. Remnants and swatches

If you sew from remnants, a finished product made of remnants of unknown content can be labeled "Made of remnants of undetermined fiber content and origin." If you do know the content, the FTC says you must give the full disclosure. Fabric swatches used to sell products need the required information unless they are under two square inches and the details appear in accompanying material, or they are keyed to a catalog that gives it.

6. Key takeaways

• Clothing (not hats or shoes), scarves, handkerchiefs and bedding generally need fiber content, origin and a name or RN on the label.
• An RN is optional; the company name works instead.
• Fiber claims have a 3% tolerance, but "100%" claims have none.
• Online listings must state "Made in U.S.A.", "imported", or both.
• Care instructions are a separate rule with different requirements.