US FTC Completes Consultation on the Elimination of Obsolete Provisions in Textile Rules

Public comments invited on a proposal to eliminate the “housemark” provisions of US FTC Textile Rules. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) August 16, 2017 - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed to eliminate the “housemark” provisions of its Textile Rules.

Currently, the Textile Labeling Rules require a label to be attached to textile products disclosing:
• The manufacturer or marketer name
• The country where the product was processed or manufactured
• The generic names and percentages by weight of the fibers in the product

Proposals from the FTC are to amend the Textile Rules (“Rules and Regulations under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act”) to eliminate unnecessary regulations and processes. The aim of this proposal is to reduce compliance costs while also increasing firms’ flexibility.

Advances in technology and access to information have reduced the value and desirability of the housemark, as provided for by the Textile Rules. These currently allow marketers to disclose a trademark used as a “housemark” (a distinctive mark for a firm to identify all its products) on a textile label in lieu of their business name (if it is first registered with the Commission). However, the requirement of registration is no longer necessary as an online search of the internet, or the US Patent and Trademark Office website, allows easy identification of trademark owners. Therefore, the FTC believes that eliminating this provision may reduce compliance costs for textile marketers and give companies the flexibility to use any registered word mark.

The public consultation period for this proposal closed on July 31, 2017. SGS will issue updates when the outcome is known.

SGS Textiles Services
SGS has an extensive network of over 40 laboratories worldwide delivering services to the textile industry, with a strong team of committed professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. The company’s internationally accredited state-of-the-art testing laboratories offer a comprehensive range of physical, chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. SGS helps your company ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide. Discover more at www.sgs.com/softlines

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full US FTC Proposes to Eliminate Obsolete Provisions in Textile Rules SafeGuardS. (www.sgs.com/en/news/2017/07/safeguards-11417-us-ftc-proposes-to-eliminate-obsolete-provisions-in-textile-rules)

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For further information contact:
Louann Spirito
Director - Technical Support, Global Softlines
SGS North America Inc.
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: http://www.sgs.com/softlines

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 90,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,000 offices and laboratories around the world.

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