Illustrative situation
A brand preparing its first US shipment asks the factory to sew in a label saying "cotton blend." The compliance adviser says that this is not enough, and the brand needs to know what a proper fibre label shows.
Main answer
US fibre content labels must show generic fibre names with weight percentages from highest to lowest, the business name or RN of the maker or marketer, and the country where the product was processed or manufactured, all legible and conspicuous. Terms such as cotton blend do not satisfy the rule, and small fibres are usually grouped as other fibre unless they have functional significance.
What the Textile Act requires
The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act and its rules in 16 CFR Part 303 require most textile apparel to carry a label with the fibre content, the identity of the business and the country of origin. FTC guidance, Threading Your Way, explains the requirements in practical terms for manufacturers and sellers.
Names and percentages
Use the generic names defined in the rules, such as cotton, polyester, nylon, rayon and spandex, not trade names alone. List them by weight, in descending order. Fibres under five percent generally have to be called other fibre, except where a small fibre has definite functional significance, such as a few percent spandex for stretch, which can be named.
Name or RN and origin
The label must identify the business by its name or by an FTC-issued RN, and the country where the product was processed or manufactured. Information must be legible and conspicuous. Where trims or linings are different fibres, separate disclosure may be needed. Check how your style is treated.
Linings, trims and ornaments
Different parts of a garment can need separate fibre disclosure, such as a lining in another fibre, and some trims and ornamentation are excluded in limited ways. Ask your adviser how a hoodie with a lined hood or a contrast rib should be shown.
Practical steps
Ask the factory for a fibre analysis report and compare it with the label, since tolerances are limited. Review the label proof before printing, and keep records. Translate for other markets, where rules differ, such as EU Regulation 1007/2011. See RN numbers for private label and country of origin labels.
Fact, recommendation, uncertainty
- Established fact
- FTC Textile Act labels must state generic fibre names and weight percentages in descending order, the business name or RN and the country of origin.
- Recommendation
- Use generic names with percentages, check small-fibre rules, and verify the label against a lab fibre analysis.
- Uncertainty
- Exceptions and market rules differ, so check your product with a compliance adviser.
Sources and further reading
- eCFR — 16 CFR Part 303, Textile Fiber Products Identification Act rules
- FTC — Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts
Sources checked on 24 October 2026. Standards bodies sell the full texts; we cite what their public pages state. General information, not legal or technical certification advice.
More perspectives from the team
Three further views on the same question, each by function. They add conditions and limits to the main answer; they are editorial notes, not customer reviews.
Sino Finetex Editorial Team Sourcing
Ask the factory for a fibre analysis of the bulk fabric before the label is printed. Limit: tolerances apply, so a small deviation can still be an error. Ask for the fibre content of every fabric part, including rib, lining and pocket bag.
Sino Finetex Editorial Team Product selection
Declare spandex when it is functional, since customers look for it. Limit: the label must match the actual fabric, not the sales story. Use generic names on tags and keep brand names for marketing text.
Sino Finetex Editorial Team Quality & care
Compare the label proof and the delivered goods with the lab report. Limit: a label that does not match the fabric is a compliance risk. Test a few bulk garments for fibre content and compare them with the label.
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