Guidance on the Labelling of Textiles for Businesses

Enforcement guidelines

August 1, 2007


If you manufacture, import or sell consumer textile articles, you need to know the basic labelling requirements set out by the Textile Labelling Act and the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations.

Dealer's responsibility

Retailers, manufacturers, importers and distributors of consumer textile articles are responsible for ensuring that the articles are labelled in the manner required by the regulations and that any claims or representations concerning the product's quality, performance, origin, etc., are factual. Dealers are encouraged to develop a "quality control" system that will help them ensure that the fibre content and other information on their product labels, or in advertisements, are correct.

Required label information

The box illustrates the minimum information required on the label of a consumer textile article.

65% Cotton/Coton
35% Polyester 1

CA 12345 2

1 Fibre content

  • Show the generic name of each fibre whose mass represents five per cent or more of the total mass of the article’s fibres.

  • If the article consists of a number of sections differing in fibre content, the label has to identify each of the sections and its fibre content.

  • If the fibre content is not known or cannot be determined, the label may show "unknown fibres," "undetermined fibres," "miscellaneous fibres," or "mixed fibres,” provided that the percentage of the total mass of unknown fibres is specified.

For more information on how to label articles containing fibres whose mass is less than five per cent of the total mass, or articles with trimming or ornamentation, see the Guide to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations.

2 Dealer identity

  • Show the name and complete postal address of the responsible dealer (manufacturer, importer or retailer) or

  • Show the registered identification number of the Canadian dealer (CA number)

Type and form of label

  • A "permanent" label is required on many types of consumer textile articles, including coats, pants, bed linens, towels, and draperies. A "permanent" label is one that can remain attached and legible through 10 cleanings of the product.

  • A non‑permanent label (tag, sticker, wrapper) may be used for articles such as hosiery, gloves, sleepwear, underwear, piece goods, and table linens.

  • For custom‑made articles (draperies, furniture, suits, etc.) the fibre content and dealer identity may be shown on the invoice, bill of sale, or other document, provided properly labelled samples or swatches are available for the consumer to examine prior to making the purchase.

For more detailed information, please contact the Information Centre of the Competition Bureau at 1‑800‑348‑5358 or 819‑997‑4282.