What Needs To Be On a Clothing Label?

We are often asked this question; the answer is in two parts and depends on where you are going to sell your clothing.

If you are going to sell to the UK only then refer to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/textile-labelling for a definitive answer, you will find that the only legal requirement is for the fabric content to be noted, though the following is a useful checklist for label design:

Logo

Fabric Composition

Washing instructions & symbols

Size (unless being retained in the garment to be relabelled)

Any other instructions or marketing information you wish to use.

In general for the US & Canada you will also need to show the country of manufacture – note that in the USA each state will potentially have different requirements, in practice for smaller retailers we have found that the country of origin is the major stumbling point for imports, beyond that you will need to take more specialist guidance. Note that in Canada labels have to be bi-lingual in English & French.

For the EEC the major requirement is for the fabric content to be shown in all of the major languages of the community – see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32011R1007 for detailed guidance, this legislation has resulted in almost a booklet of labels being applied to many garments. In practice we have found that the best way to approach this for relabelling is to take a garment with EEC compliant labelling (say FOTL / Gildan / Stella Stanley) and only remove the branded portions of the labels, thus your brand label can be added to the garment whilst the EEC compliant labelling is left intact.

• Should you wish to discuss your label supply or relabelling requirements – give our sales team a call – they will be delighted to help.
• We are often asked this question; the answer is in two parts and depends on where you are going to sell your clothing.