When a product is covered by the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (Textile Act) or the Wool Products Labeling Act (Wool Act), the product must be labeled to show its fiber content. The generic fiber names and percentages by weight of each constituent fiber must be listed in descending order of predominance. For example:

"65% Rayon,

35% Polyester"

If the product is made from one fiber, the label may use the word "All" instead of "100%." For example: "100% Wool" or "All Wool."

The fiber content disclosure requirement applies only to fibers (contained in yarns, fabrics, clothing, and other household items). If part of the product is made from a non-fibrous material (such as plastic, glass, wood, paint, metal, or leather), the label need not include that information. The law does not require the disclose of the contents of zippers, buttons, beads, sequins, leather patches, painted designs, or any other parts that are not made from fiber, yarn, or fabric.

The Five Percent Rule

Generally, a label is only required to disclose the fibers that comprise five percent or more of the fiber weight. Fibers of less than five percent should be disclosed as "other fiber" or "other fibers," and not by their generic name or fiber trademark. However, the following exceptions apply to the five percent rule:

(1) Wool or recycled wool must always be disclosed by name and percentage weight, even if it is less than five percent of the product.

(2) A label may state the name and percentage of a fiber that is less than five percent of the product, if the fiber has a definite functional significance at that amount. The functional significance need not be disclosed.

* For example, if a small amount of spandex is used for elasticity, the label could say:

"96% Acetate,

4% Spandex"

* If nylon is added to a wool garment for durability, the label could say:

"96% Wool,

4% Nylon"

* If there are multiple, non-functionally-significant fibers present in amounts of less than five percent each, they should be designated with their aggregate percentage, even if it is greater than five percent. For example:

"82% Cotton,

10% Polyamide,

8% Other Fibers"

Copyright 2010 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.