Enforcement guidelines
May 1996
Copyright and permission to reproduce
This publication is not a legal document. It is intended to provide general information and is provided for convenience. To learn more, please refer to the full text of the Acts or contact the Competition Bureau.
For information on the Competition Bureau's activities, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
50 Victoria Street
Gatineau QC K1A 0C9Telephone: 819‑997‑4282
Telephone (toll-free in Canada): 1‑800‑348‑5358
TTY (for hearing impaired): 1‑866‑694‑8389
Fax: 819‑997‑0324
Website: www.competitionbureau.gc.caThis publication can be made available in alternative formats upon request. Contact the Competition Bureau's Information Centre at the numbers listed above.
Permission to reproduce
Except as otherwise specifically noted, the information in this publication may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from the Competition Bureau, provided that due diligence is exercised in ensuring the accuracy of the information reproduced; that the Competition Bureau is identified as the source institution; and that the reproduction is not represented as an official version of the information reproduced or as having been made in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of, the Competition Bureau.
For permission to reproduce the information in this publication for commercial purposes, please fill out the Application for Crown Copyright Clearance or contact the ISED Citizen Services Centre mentioned below.
ISED Citizen Services Centre
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5
CanadaTelephone (toll-free in Canada): 1‑800‑328‑6189
Telephone (international): 613‑954‑5031
TTY (for hearing impaired): 1‑866‑694‑8389
Business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Email: ISED@ised-isde.gc.ca© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 1996.
Aussi offert en français sous le titre Étiquetage des tissus en vente au détail.
Required label information
1. Fibre content
A declaration of fibre content is required. It can be shown either:
- on a label fastened to the end of the bolt core or spool; or
- woven or imprinted on the selvage at intervals of 1 metre or less; or
- for narrow fabrics, (e.g. decorative trimming less than 30 cm in width) a sign placed in the immediate vicinity may be used.
For each fibre present, in an amount of 5% or more, show the generic fibre name and its amount as a percentage of the total fibre weight. List the fibres in descending order by weight, or, use a pre‑ printed label which lists the generic names alphabetically, with space provided to insert the percentage. The fibre content information is required to be bilingual unless sold in an area where only one official language is used in consumer transactions.
Examples:
68% Wool / Laine
24% Polyester / Polyester
8% Acrylic / Acrylique
Or
Acetate ___ % Acétate
Acrylic 8% Acrylique
Cotton ___ % Coton
Polyester 24% Polyester
Wool 68% Laine
When the fibre content is not known, it may be declared as "100% unknown fibres".
Fibres present in amounts of less than 5%, may be declared by either their generic name or as "other fibre(s)".
Examples:
97% Cotton / Coton
3% Spandex / Spandex
or
97% Cotton / Coton
3% Other fibre / Autre fibre
or
100% Cotton / Coton
Exclusive of elastic / à l'exclusion de l'élastique
Where applicable, the term "exclusive of ornamentation," "exclusive of elastic" or "exclusive of reinforcement" may be used. Refer to the Guide to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations, or to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations for further details on ornamentation, trimming, elastic yarns, reinforcement yarns, unknown fibres and narrow fabrics.
2. Dealer identity
Dealer identification is the name and complete postal address or the registered CA identification number of the manufacturer, processor, finisher, importer or retailer. Canadian dealers may purchase a registered CA number from most offices of Industry Canada, Fair Business Practices Branch.
For piece goods, dealer identification may be shown in any of the following ways:
- on the bill of sale;
- on a label attached to the end of the bolt core or spool;
- woven or imprinted on the selvage at intervals of 1 metre or less; or
- for narrow fabrics, a sign placed in the immediate vicinity may be used.
Remnants
Remnants are short lengths of cloth sold as piece goods. Where remnants of the same fibre content are sold together in a bundle, bale or package, the fibre content information may be affixed to the bundle, bale or package. Where individual remnants of the same fibre content are sold separately, the fibre content information may be posted on a sign in the immediate vicinity.
Dealer identification is not required for remnants.
Quality control
All dealers are responsible for the accuracy of fibre content declarations. Following are suggestions to assist you in meeting this responsibility:
- Confirm the fibre content information with suppliers when purchasing fabric.
- Ensure suppliers provide written confirmation of the fibre content with your order.
- Check that the fibre content identified on the invoice or fabric bolt matches the fibre content on your order.
- Retailers who label their own fabric bolts, must ensure they have a reliable system for transferring the fibre content information to their label. Retailers should maintain records of the source of the fibre content information.
- Establish a system for verifying the accuracy of fibre content declarations with in‑house screening tests or laboratory analysis.
For more detailed information please contact the Information Centre of the Competition Bureau.