US: FTC seeks public review of wool products labelling rules

US Federal Trade Commission is seeking public input by 26 March on the Wool Products Labeling Rules (Wool Rules) which require labels on wool products disclosing the manufacturer's or marketer's name, the country where the product was processed or manufactured, and information about the fibre content.

The FTC completed its last review of the Wool Rules in 1998 and modified them in 1998 and 2000 by streamlining the labelling requirements and incorporated the definition of “trimmings.” In 2000, the agency amended the Rules to clarify that the FTC will assign only one RN number to a qualified applicant and to clarify the country of origin disclosure requirements. At that time the FTC also amended certain provisions of the Textile Rules that the Wool Rules incorporate. In 2006, the Wool Act was amended by the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act, which sets the maximum average fibre diameter for certain wool products.

The FTC is also seeking comment on how it should modify the Wool Rules to implement the conforming act; the costs and benefits of the Rules; and whether it should clarify or modify certain Rule provisions and/or its business and consumer education materials.