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Guide to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations
VII. REQUIRED INFORMATION
Section 11 Regulations
The basic requirements are that the disclosure label bear the fibre content information expressed in percentages by mass, and the dealer identity information (as outlined below).
1. Fibre Content
a) Generic Name
Section 31 Regulations
The generic name of each fibre present, in an amount of 5% or more, must be stated as a percentage of the total fibre mass of the article. Generally, the fibres must be shown in order of predominance.
(i) Natural and Man-Made Fibres
Section 26 Regulations
Generic names and definitions for some commonly used natural fibres and all man-made fibres are stated in the Regulations. Definitions and systems of nomenclature for biconstituent/multiconstituent fibres and grafted fibres are also regulated.
For your convenience, lists of these generic names are included in Appendices A and B of this publication. Please note that, with one exception, abbreviations for any of the generic names are not acceptable.
(ii) Animal Hair or Fibre or Fur Fibre Sections 26 and 44 Regulations
Where an article is made up, in whole or in part, of the hair removed from the skin of an animal other than that of a sheep, lamb, angora or kashmir goat, alpaca, vicuna, camel or llama, the hair or fur must be disclosed as "(name of the animal) hair", "(name of the animal) fibre" or "fur fibre".
(iii) Reclaimed Fibres Sections 2 and 33 Regulations
The term reclaimed textile fibres refers to fibres produced from yarn waste, fabric cuttings, rags and used garments. Where such fibres are used, the word "reclaimed", "reprocessed" or "reused" must be shown immediately preceding the generic name. An example of an acceptable disclosure for work socks knit from a yarn produced by reprocessing wool fabric scraps is:
100% reclaimed wool/laine récupérée
or
100% reprocessed wool/laine retransformée
or
100% reused wool/laine réutilisée
(iv) Unknown, Undetermined, Miscellaneous or Mixed Fibres
Section 32 Regulations
Where an article is made up in whole or in part of materials for which the fibre content is unknown and cannot be accurately determined, the terms "unknown fibres", "undetermined fibres", "miscellaneous fibres" or"mixed fibres" should be used. An example of an acceptable disclosure for a lining for warmth in a coat which is produced from fabric scraps of various fibre contents in varying amounts might be:
100% unknown fibres/fibres inconnues
or
60% undetermined fibres/fibres indéterminées
40% reclaimed wool/laine récupérée
or
60% miscellaneous fibres/fibres diverses
40% reclaimed wool/laine récupérée
or
60% mixed fibres/fibres mixtes
40% reclaimed wool/laine récupérée
b) Amount of fibre
Sections 28 and 29 Regulations
(i) Percentage by Mass
The amount of textile fibre present in a textile fibre product may be determined according to the test methods contained in the National Standard of Canada, Textile Test Methods, or an equivalent test method published by one of the other standards-writing organizations. Recognized standards-writing organizations are identified in Section 28 of the Regulations.
Copies of the test methods contained in the National Standard of Canada, Textile Test Methods, may be obtained for a fee from the Canadian General Standards Board:
Telephone: (819) 956-0425
1-800-665-2472
Facsimile: (819) 956-5644
Web site: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb
The amount of a textile fibre refers to the total mass of that particular fibre, expressed as a percentage of the entire article or of a particular section of the article. This percentage must appear immediately before or following the generic name of the fibre. For example, for an article made from fabric of blended polyester and cotton fibres, each of which is present in an amount of 5% or more by mass, an appropriate fibre content disclosure is:
65% polyester
35% cotton/coton
The total mass of the article does not include findings and trimmings, or ornamentation, elastic yarns and reinforcement yarns not disclosed as an integral part of the article or constituent part.
Generally, a tolerance of 5% is allowed on the fibre content disclosures of blends, biconstituent, multiconstituent and grafted fibres. No tolerance is allowed for single fibre fabrics or for blends of commercial down, commercial waterfowl feather or commercial landfowl feather.
(ii) All or Pure
Section 29 Regulations
When only one fibre is contained in the article or part thereof, including where ornamentation and elastic or reinforcement yarns are present in amounts of less than 5% and the fibre content is shown exclusive of such ornamentation, elastic or reinforcement, the words "all" or "pure" may be used in lieu of 100%.
Words or figures indicating 100%, or the words "all" or "pure", cannot be used for the filling material of down and feather filled products unless the down and/or feather complies with the appropriate generic definitions included in section 26(1) of the Regulations. For further information on labelling down and/or feather filled products, consult the Guide to the Labelling of Down and Feathers.
(iii) Mixed or Miscellaneous Fibres, Yarns or Fabrics
Section 31.01 Regulations
Where an article is made up in whole or in part of materials where it is known which fibres are present but not the exact amounts, the generic name of each fibre present in an amount of 5% or more by mass may be stated in order of predominance following the words "miscellaneous fibres, yarns or fabrics" or"mixed fibres, yarns or fabrics", as the case may be. For example, for a patchwork placemat where the face is made from several different fabrics, some of which are 100% cotton, and others of various blends of cotton and polyester, and where it is virtually impossible to determine the actual percentage of the cotton and polyester in the finished product, an appropriate disclosure is:
Face/Endroit:
100% mixed fabrics/tissus mixtes
cotton/coton
polyester
c) Sectional Disclosure
Sections 34, 37 and 38 Regulations
Where a consumer textile article consists of different parts or sections, and when the fibre content of one section is different from that of any or all others, then separate disclosures must be made for each section. For example, a sweatshirt with a knit body consisting of a 65% polyester/35% cotton blend and woven sleeves of a 50% polyester/50% cotton blend, the fibre content of the body must be disclosed separately from the fibre content of the sleeves as:
Body/Corps:
65% polyester
35% cotton/coton
Sleeves/Manches:
50% polyester
50% cotton/coton
(i) Linings, Interlinings, Paddings or Fillings
The fibre content of linings, interlinings, paddings or fillings added for warmth as well as, laminated or bonded linings and some textile fillings (as in bed pillows), must be disclosed separately from, and following other sections. For example, a winter jacket consisting of a cotton shell, polyester filling and a structural nylon lining should be disclosed sectionally as:
Outer Shell/Extérieur:
100% cotton/coton
Filling/Remplissage:
100% polyester
NOTE: The structural nylon lining is a finding and does not require disclosure.
(ii) Pile, Coated and Impregnated Fabrics
Section 35 Regulations
Consumer textile articles made up from a pile, coated or impregnated fabric that has a pile, coating or impregnator that differs in fibre content from the backing or base fabric, may be labelled in either of the following two ways:
- sectionally, to indicate the individual composition of both components separately, or
- as a composite, with the components indicated as percentages by mass of the total fibre mass, in this case, the total fibre mass of the face, coating or impregnator and the back or support fabric.
For example, a pile fabric could be declared sectionally as:
Pile/Poil:
100% acrylic/acrylique
Back/Support:
100% cotton/coton
or as a composite:
80% acrylic/acrylique
20% cotton/coton
A coated fabric could be declared sectionally as:
Coating/Enduit:
100% polyurethane/polyuréthane
Back/Support:
100% polyester
or as a composite:
75% polyurethane/polyuréthane
25% polyester
(iii) Carpets
Section 35 Regulations
Where the consumer textile article is a floor covering with a backing that differs in textile fibre content from the outer surface, face or pile, the textile fibre content may be identified in either of the following ways:
- the fibre content of the pile, face or outer surface exclusive of the backing, provided it is clear from the disclosure that the backing is excluded, or
- the fibre content of the pile shown first, followed immediately by the fibre content of the backing, with a clear indication that it is the backing.
For example,
Pile/Poil:
100 % nylon
or
100% nylon
exclusive of backing/support non compris
or
Pile/Poil:
100% nylon
Back/Support:
100% jute
(iv) Films and Foams
Foams are usually made from rubber, polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane, and must be labelled sectionally when backed or supported with fabric. For example, a sofa cover consisting of a nylon fabric laminated to a polyurethane foam must be labelled as:
Face/Endroit:
100% nylon
Back/Envers:
100% polyurethane/polyuréthane
When used strictly as an adhesive or when sold without a fabric support, foams such as cushion forms, bags of chipped foam and foam slabs, do not require labelling.
Films, which are non-fibrous materials with no support or backing (frequently used for rain bonnets and coats, umbrellas, bibs, ground sheets, etc.), also do not require labelling.
d) Other Variations
Section 31 Regulations
(i) Other Fibre(s)
Normally a fibre present in an amount of less than 5% by mass must be stated by generic name or as "other fibre". For example, for a fabric made from a blend of cotton and spandex, an appropriate disclosure is:
97% cotton/coton
3% other fibre/autre fibre
When more than one fibre is present in an amount of less than 5%, they may be identified as "other fibres" accompanied by the percentage by mass of the aggregate. For example, for a fabric made up of cotton, metallic and spandex, an appropriate disclosure is:
92% cotton/coton
8% other fibres/autres fibres
(ii) Elastic Yarns
Sections 25 and 31 Regulations
An elastic yarn is an elastomer which may or may not be covered with a wrap. Elastic yarns may be found in stretch denim and corduroy fabrics, as well as swimsuit fabrics. It should be noted, however, that elastic yarns added to a limited area in socks serve a functional purpose and are therefore considered as findings.
An elastic yarn that is present in an amount of less than 5% of the total fibre mass may be disclosed by generic name as an integral part of the fabric or as "other fibre". Alternatively an elastic yarn present in an amount of less than 5% may be disclosed as "Exclusive of elastic", provided that the total of the other fibre(s) disclosed equals 100%. For example, for a wool fabric which contains a spandex elastic yarn in an amount of 2%, an appropriate disclosure is:
98% wool/laine
2% spandex
or
98% wool/laine
2% other fibre/autre fibre
or
100% wool/laine
exclusive of elastic/à l'exclusion de l'élastique
An elastic yarn that is present in an amount of 5% or more of the total fibre mass must be disclosed as an integral part of the fabric.
(iii) Reinforcement Yarns
Sections 25 and 31 Regulations
A reinforcement yarn is a portion of a complex yarn that is either present as a core or wrap for the purpose of increasing the strength of the yarn. Binder yarns which are used in novelty-type yarns, such as bouclé yarns, to hold the loops, or in fancy/effect yarns to the core or base, are also considered as a reinforcement yarn. A reinforcement yarn that is present in an amount of less than 5% of the total fibre mass may be disclosed by generic name as an integral part of the fabric or yarn, or as "other fibre". As an alternative, a reinforcement yarn present in an amount of less than 5%, may be disclosed as "Exclusive of reinforcement", provided that the total of the other fibre(s) disclosed equals 100%. For example, for a wool fabric which contains a reinforcement yarn in an amount of 4%, an appropriate disclosure is:
96% wool/laine
4% nylon
or
96% wool/laine
4% other fibre/ autre fibre
or
100% wool/laine
exclusive of reinforcement/à l'exclusion du renforcement
A reinforcement yarn that is present in an amount of 5% or more of the total fibre mass must be disclosed as an integral part of the fabric.
(iv) Ornamentation
Sections 25 and 31 Regulations
Ornamentation is a textile fibre product that is present as an integral part of the article for a decorative purpose, that imparts a visibly discernable overall pattern or design and that differs in fibre content from the remainder of the article.
Ornamentation that is present in an amount of less than 5% may be disclosed:
- exclusive of ornamentation, provided the label bears the statement "exclusive of ornamentation" and the total of the fibre(s) disclosed equals 100%;
- by stating the generic name of the fibre or yarn used for ornamentation, and the total of the fibres disclosed equals 100%;
- as "other fibre" as previously explained in 1. d)(i).
For example, an acceptable disclosure for a consumer textile article made from a blend of cotton and polyester, and 4% metallic for ornamentation, is:
75% cotton/coton
25% polyester
exclusive of ornamentation/sans l'ornement
or
72% cotton/coton
24% polyester
4% metallic/fibre métallique
or
72% cotton/coton
24% polyester
4% other fibre/autre fibre
Ornamentation present in an amount of 5% or more must be disclosed as an integral part of the fabric.
(v) Trimming
Sections 25 and 36 Regulations
Trimming is any textile fibre product that has been added to a consumer textile article for a decorative purpose and differs in textile fibre content from the article to which it has been added, including embroidery, appliqué, braid, lace, ribbon, smocking threads, patch pockets, ruffles, piping, belts, rick rack, collars and cuffs. Trimming must be disclosed if it is present in an amount greater than 15% of the total outer surface area of the article. If present in an amount of 15% or less, it does not require disclosure, provided it is clear that the fibre content is disclosed "exclusive of trimming". For example, where a consumer textile article has nylon lace added to it, and the total area of the lace is 15% or less of the total area of the article, then an appropriate fibre content disclosure is:
72% cotton/coton
24% polyester
4% other fibre/autre fibre
exclusive of trimming/garniture non comprise
or
75% cotton/coton
25% polyester
exclusive of trimming and ornamentation/garniture et ornement non compris
or
72% cotton/coton
24% polyester
4% metalic/fibre métallique
exclusive of trimming/garniture non comprise
Should the dealer wish to disclose the fibre content of the trimming, an acceptable disclosure is:
72% cotton/coton
24% polyester
4% metallic/ fibre métallique
Trimming/ Garniture:
100% nylon
or
72 % cotton/coton
24 % polyester
4 % metallic/fibre métallique
Lace/Dentelle:
100% nylon
Trimming also includes decorative patterns or designs that are an integral part of the article but do not create an all-over pattern or design. This would include stripes knitted into the leg of a sock or an abstract design knitted into the front of a sweater.
Where an article has several different trimmings, each present in amounts of less than or equal to 15% of the outer surface area, but which together comprise over 15% of the outer surface area, the trimmings may be labelled collectively, for example, as:
Trimmings/Garnitures:
100% silk/soie
100% acetate/acétate
100% rayon/rayonne
(vi) Findings Sections 25 and 39 Regulations
The term findings means any textile fibre product that is added to the consumer textile article for a functional purpose, differs in textile fibre content from the article to which it has been added and does not constitute a part of the outer surface of that article unless it is incorporated at or along an edge. Some examples of findings are elastic yarns that are added in a limited area in socks (not all hosiery), interfacing, facings, buttons, zippers, fasteners, thread, gussets, leg, neck and wrist bands, concealed pockets, plackets, shoulder pads, elastic used in a casing at the waist, legs and/or wrists or used in smocking, etc. Any lining (other than a laminated or bonded lining), interlining or padding incorporated for structural purposes, and not for warmth, are also considered findings.
Findings do not have to be declared but, if disclosed, the textile fibre content must be shown separately from and following all other disclosures, with a clear indication that it is the textile fibre content of the findings that is being shown. For example, where a consumer textile article is a wool dress with rayon lining, and the dealer desires to make this known, an appropriate disclosure is:
Dress/ Robe :
100% wool/laine
Lining/ Doublure :
100% rayon/rayonne
On the other hand, the disclosure could be simply:
100% wool/laine
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2. Bilingual Requirements
Sections 11 and 14 Regulations
Except in areas where only one official language is used in consumer transactions, the required fibre content information (generic names), as well as any information directly relating to the fibre content, must be bilingual. For example, terms required to be shown with the fibre content, such as "reclaimed" or "reprocessed", or for the identification of sections, such as "yoke" and "skirt" must be in English and in French. It is also recommended that supplementary descriptive terms used in conjunction with the fibre content be bilingual, i.e. "combed cotton 100% coton peigné". This information may be shown on two separate labels, one English and one French. For consumer textile articles requiring a permanent disclosure label, these labels must be adjoining or contiguous.
The dealer identity as well as the country of origin (when required) need only be in one of the official languages.
The province of Quebec has additional requirements concerning the use of the French language on all products marketed within its jurisdiction. Information on these requirements may be obtained from l'Office de la langue française:
Telephone: (514) 873-6565
1-888-873-6202
Facsimile: (514) 873-3488
Web site: www.olf.gouv.qc.ca
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3. Dealer Identity Sections 11 and 12 Regulations
The dealer identity may be disclosed by identifying the name and full postal address under which the dealer normally carries out his business, or for a dealer in Canada, an identification number obtained by applying to a Competition Bureau office of Industry Canada. This identification number, commonly referred to as a "CA Number", will be registered for the exclusive use of the dealer.
Dealers assigned an identification number are responsible for:
- complying with the Textile Labelling Act and Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations for all articles which bear their identification number;
- notifying the Competition Bureau in writing should they transfer their business to another dealer, and;
- advising the Competition Bureau in writing should they change the name or address under which they carry on business or cease to carry on business.
Failure to meet these conditions may result in the number being revoked.
Applications for an identification number may be submitted electronically through the Competition Bureau web site: http://competition.ic.gc.ca. The fee for each registration is one hundred dollars ($100.00) payable upon application by Mastercard or Visa.
Applications may also be submitted in writing to the Competition Bureau using the form provided in Appendix G. All cheques and money orders must be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.
Where the full name and postal address appears as the dealer identity information, the address must be identified in accordance with the Canada Post Guidelines. Information regarding these guidelines may be obtained from Canada Post Corporation:
Telephone: (416) 979-8822
1-800-267-1177
Web site: www.canadapost.ca
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