§68b Misbranded wool products

Summary

Wool products must have honest, clear labels. A product is misbranded if the label is false or missing key facts. Labels must show the percent by weight of wool, recycled wool, each other fiber that makes up 5% or more, and the total of all other fibers, not counting ornamentation up to 5% of the fiber weight. Labels must also show the highest percent of any nonfibrous filler, the maker’s name or a responsible person’s name, and the country where it was processed or made. If a product contains fibers besides wool, or is advertised as wool, the fiber percentages must be printed in words and numbers clearly. If a product is called 100% wool, the fibers must actually total 100% (excluding up to 5% ornamentation). Labels that call a product “Super” with a number must meet specific average fiber diameter limits: “Super 80’s/80’s” 19.75 microns or finer; “Super 90’s/90’s” 19.25; “Super 100’s/100’s” 18.75; “Super 110’s/110’s” 18.25; “Super 120’s/120’s” 17.75; “Super 130’s/130’s” 17.25; “Super 140’s/140’s” 16.75; “Super 150’s/150’s” 16.25; “Super 160’s/160’s” 15.75; “Super 170’s/170’s” 15.25; “Super 180’s/180’s” 14.75; “Super 190’s/190’s” 14.25; “Super 200’s/200’s” 13.75; “Super 210’s/210’s” 13.25; “Super 220’s/220’s” 12.75; “Super 230’s/230’s” 12.25; “Super 240’s/240’s” 11.75; and “Super 250’s/250’s” 11.25 microns or finer. If a label says cashmere, the fibers must come from the fine undercoat of the cashmere goat, have an average diameter of 19 microns or less, and contain no more than 3% by weight of cashmere fibers over 30 microns. Labels may add other lawful information. A responsible person who finds an incorrect or incomplete label may replace it with one that has the required facts. Garment linings, paddings, stiffening, trimmings, or facings do not need fiber labels unless people usually expect fiber info for them or the item claims to contain wool; the Commission can decide which items are normally described that way or are insignificant. Mail-order ads must clearly say whether the product was made in the United States, imported, or both. Labels must be attached inside the center of the neck between the shoulder seams, or if there is no neck, in the most noticeable inner place, unless placed on the outside or, for hosiery, on the outside or on the package.