Labelling is unglamorous and enforceable. Getting it wrong means relabelling finished goods, which costs far more than specifying it correctly at the start.
What is required
- Fibre content, by generic name and percentage
- Care instructions covering washing, bleaching, drying and ironing
- Country of origin
- The identity of the manufacturer, importer or dealer
Care instructions must be substantiated
A care instruction is a claim that the garment will survive that treatment. It should be based on testing the actual fabric and construction, including any dye or wash process.
Placement and durability
Labels must remain legible for the useful life of the garment. A label that washes illegible after a season does not satisfy the requirement, even if the printed content was correct.
Practical sequencing
- Confirm final fibre content after fabric is locked
- Complete wash testing before writing care instructions
- Confirm origin claims against where fabric and assembly happened
- Order labels only after all of the above is settled
General information only, not legal advice. Confirm labelling requirements for your products with qualified counsel.