Textile Labelling Regulation

Introduction

Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, commonly known as the Textile Labelling Regulation (TLR), establishes a harmonized framework across the European Union for the names of textile fibres and the labelling and marking of the fibre composition of textile products. It aims to ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market and provide consumers with accurate, clear, and reliable information, enabling them to make informed purchasing decisions.

This regulation replaced and repealed three previous directives (73/44/EEC, 96/73/EC, and 2008/121/EC), consolidating the rules into a single, directly applicable legal instrument. A key evolution introduced by this regulation is the mandatory labelling of non-textile parts of animal origin, such as fur or leather, enhancing transparency for consumers concerned with animal welfare.

Main Goal

The primary goal of the TLR is to ensure that textile products sold on the EU market are correctly labelled with their fibre composition. This serves two main purposes:

• To facilitate the free movement of textile products within the EU's internal market by standardizing labelling rules.
• To protect consumers from misleading information and allow them to make choices based on accurate product characteristics.

Who It Applies To

The regulation applies to all textile products made available on the EU market. This includes products exclusively composed of textile fibres as well as those treated as textile products, such as:

• Products containing at least 80% by weight of textile fibres.
• Furniture, umbrella, and sunshade coverings containing at least 80% by weight of textile components.
• The textile components of multi-layer floor coverings, mattress coverings, and coverings of camping goods, provided they constitute at least 80% of the upper layer or covering.

The obligations fall upon all economic operators in the supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

Exemptions

The regulation does not apply to:

• Textile products contracted out to persons working in their own homes or to independent firms working from supplied materials.
• Customised textile products made by self-employed tailors.

Additionally, Annex V of the regulation lists specific products for which labelling is not mandatory, such as watch straps, labels, toys, and textile parts of footwear, unless they carry a trademark or name that could be confused with a fibre name.

Key Provisions

• Approved Fibre Names: Only textile fibre names listed in Annex I of the regulation may be used on labels. A process exists for manufacturers to apply for new fibre names to be added to this list.
• 'Pure' and '100%' Claims: These terms can only be used for products composed exclusively of a single fibre, with a small tolerance (2-5%) for extraneous fibres that are technically unavoidable.
• Fleece/Virgin Wool: Specific criteria must be met to use the terms 'fleece wool' or 'virgin wool', ensuring the wool has not been previously incorporated in a finished product.
• Multi-Fibre Products: The name and percentage by weight of all constituent fibres must be listed in descending order.
• Non-Textile Parts of Animal Origin: Products containing parts like fur, leather, or feathers must be clearly marked with the phrase 'Contains non-textile parts of animal origin'.
• Labelling and Marking: Labels must be durable, easily legible, visible, accessible, and securely attached.

Obligations & Requirements

• Manufacturers: When placing a product on the market, the manufacturer is responsible for supplying the label or marking and ensuring the accuracy of the information. If the manufacturer is not in the EU, this obligation falls to the importer.
• Distributors: Must ensure that textile products they make available on the market bear the correct labelling. A distributor is considered a manufacturer if they market a product under their own name, attach the label themselves, or modify its content.
• Language: Labels must be in the official language(s) of the Member State where the product is sold to the consumer.
• Clarity: Information on fibre composition must be uniform in size, style, and font and must not be presented in a misleading way. Trademarks or company names cannot be confused with fibre names.

Affected Products/Actors/Processes

• Products: All clothing, home textiles, furniture coverings, and other products meeting the definition of a 'textile product'.
• Actors: Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers involved in the textile supply chain within the EU.
• Processes: The labelling, marking, and marketing of textile products, including information provided in catalogues, trade literature, and online stores.

Penalties

The regulation itself does not set out specific penalties. Instead, it requires EU Member States to lay down their own rules on penalties for infringements and to take all necessary measures to ensure they are implemented. Penalties are determined at the national level and must be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive.