WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the FTC Rule that requires manufacturers and importers to attach labels with care instructions for garments and certain piece goods, so consumers have reliable instructions for dry cleaning or washing, bleaching, drying and ironing their clothing.
The Care Labeling Rule—officially the Rule on Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods—has been in effect since 1971.
The FTC is seeking comments on potential updates to the Rule, including changes that would:
- Allow manufacturers and importers, if they so choose, to include professional instructions for wet cleaning, an environmentally friendly alternative to dry cleaning, on labels if the garment can be professionally wet cleaned;
- Permit manufacturers to use updated ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization) symbols on labels in lieu of written terms providing care instructions;
- Clarify what constitutes a reasonable basis for care instructions; and
- Update and expand the definition of “dry clean” to reflect current practices and account for the advent of new solvents.
Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice; comments can be filed electronically by clicking here. Comments must be received by Nov. 16.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].