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Federal Labelling Requirements for Upholstered FurnitureThe Fair Business Practices Branch of Industry Canada administers the federal Textile Labelling Act which regulates the labelling, sale, importation and advertising of consumer textile articles, including upholstered furniture. The purpose of the Textile Labelling Act and the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations is:
Table of ContentsRequired Label Information REQUIRED LABEL INFORMATION1. Fibre ContentThe fibre content of the outer covering fabric is required to be shown:
Examples:
Examples:
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, reinforcement yarns, elastic yarns and unknown fibres. 2. Dealer IdentityDealer identity information is also required on the label. This information consists of the name and complete postal address of the manufacturer, processor, finisher, importer or retailer. Alternatively, a dealer residing in Canada may purchase a registered identification number commonly known as a CA number, and use this number as dealer identity information in lieu of the full name and address on the label. A CA number can be obtained from most Fair Business Practices Branch offices of Industry Canada. MANNER OF DISCLOSING THE FIBRE CONTENT OF COMPONENT PARTSWhere a piece of furniture is upholstered using fabrics which differ in fibre content, each fabric is to be identified and the fibre content disclosed separately. If, for example, a sofa is upholstered in a 100% olefin fabric, and the matching exterior back portion of the sofa is upholstered in a 75% acrylic and 25% polyester blend fabric, the fibre content of the exterior back portion must be declared separately. Example:
NOTE: The outer covering of a sofa-bed mattress also requires fibre content disclosure. 1. Pile, Coated and Impregnated FabricsIf the outer covering is a pile, coated or impregnated fabric and the pile, coating or impregnator differs in fibre content from its backing, the fibre content information may be shown;
Examples:
Examples:
2. FindingsCertain fabric parts of upholstered furniture, which are added for a functional purpose, may be considered as "findings" and do not require disclosure. However, if the fibre content is disclosed, it must be in accordance with the Regulations. Some common examples of "findings" are:
LABELLING OF UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE CONSISTING OF BOTH LEATHER AND FABRICLeather is not considered a textile fibre and is exempt from the labelling requirements of the Textile Labelling Act and its Regulations. When an upholstered article is produced of both leather and textile components, only the fabric portions require disclosure in accordance with the Regulations. However, some dealers may want to disclose the presence of leather on the label. A leather chair with the exterior back, exterior sides and cushion sides consisting of a 100% polyester fabric coated with 100% polyvinyl chloride could be labelled as follows: Examples:
CUSTOM-MADE UPHOLSTERED ARTICLESWhen furniture is offered for sale in a "white state" (not upholstered) and will be upholstered for an individual, the required information may be presented on an invoice or other document accompanying the article when it is delivered, rather than on the article itself. However, in these circumstances, the customer must have the opportunity to examine a correctly labelled fabric swatch or a sample, such as a floor model, prior to committing to the purchase. PROVINCIAL LABELLING REQUIREMENTS FOR FILLING OR STUFFING MATERIALSThe fibre content of the filling or stuffing material used in upholstered furniture is not required to be disclosed under the federal Textile Labelling Act and Regulations. However, it should be noted that the provinces of Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba have provincial legislation regarding such labelling. Manufacturers, importers and distributors selling articles in these provinces should contact the appropriate provincial government office for more information.
UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE ACTION COUNCIL (UFAC) PROGRAMThe voluntary industry UFAC Program is an upholstered furniture flammability program for household upholstered furniture sold, advertised or imported into Canada. Additional information about the labelling requirements under the program may be obtained from:
QUALITY CONTROLAll dealers (manufacturers, importers, wholesalers/distributors and retailers) are responsible for the accuracy of fibre content declarations. Manufacturers are encouraged to include in their quality control systems the following checks:
Importers, wholesalers/distributors and retailers will better meet their responsibility if they;
FURTHER ASSISTANCEDealers are responsible for ensuring that the consumer textile articles they manufacture, import, or sell comply with the requirements of the Textile Labelling Act and Regulations. For further information on the federal labelling requirements for upholstered furniture, please contact the Information Centre of the Competition Bureau. E-mail Address: compbureau@cb-bc.gc.ca |