A Cut Ahead: Trending Labeling Regulations In July 2023

Closer scrutiny of substances such as chemicals in products, Mandatory Digital Labelling of footwear, Extended Producer Responsibility and new standards on the safety requirements for footwear in China are all impacting the Apparel Industry at large – so how can you stay ahead of textile labeling regulatory change?

To help you stay a cut ahead, we gather some of the most interesting recent inquiries from Compliance & Risks customers around trending textile labeling fiber regulations for the Asian markets.

Q.1) Is the commodity inspection mark applicable only to specific textile/apparel products in Taiwan?
Are underwear and towels required to have the inspection mark on their labels?
As for other textile products such as swimsuits, leggings, pants, and tops (without bra pads), can we assume they are subject to random market inspection without requiring the inspection mark on their labeling?

Stacey Bowers, Manager, Global Market Access, answers:

Taiwan’s BSMI Commodity Inspection Mark applies to apparel, accessories and home textiles, including:

• Bedsheets, bedspreads, pillow cases and quilt covers;
• Quilts, blankets, blanket towels, sleeping bags and pillows; and
• Towels, such as bath towels.

Compliant products may bear the Mark on the product OR its packaging. It does not have to be permanent; however, it should be made from materials that are not easily altered and the content shall be in a clearly identifiable and indelible form affixed permanently to the commodity.

BSMI has published a nice English-language guidance document on its inspection procedure for textile products which may be of interest.

Q.2) For handbags, are they within scope of Mexico’s NOM-004-SE-2021 standard?
If so, is the standard mandatory and any specific requirement of labelling method and placement?

Stacey Bowers, Manager, Global Market Access, answers:

Mexico’s NOM-004-SE-2021 applies to to textile products, clothing, accessories and household linen, whose textile composition is equal to or greater than 50% in relation to the mass.

“Other products,” including handbags, purses, wallets, cases, backpacks, etc., must display the following information in a legible manner:

• Fiber identity, in percentage by mass in order of predominance, in accordance with the provisions of NMX-A-2076-INNTEX-2013 and NMX-A-6938-INNTEX-2013, with Arabic numbers from 1 to 100;
• Country of origin;
• Manufacturer or importer identity, including the name, fiscal address and RFC.

The data referred to in item c), must be presented on either permanent or temporary labels or packaging.

All required information must be presented in Spanish.

Q.3) In South Korea, for footwear, handbag, clothing and fashion accessories products, is it mandatory to label country of origin on the product? Or is it accepted to mark on the packaging? And exception clauses?

Stacey Bowers, Manager, Global Market Access, answers:

South Korea’s Foreign Trade Management Regulations specify that country of origin must be clearly marked and must not be easily separated from the product or packaging.

It may be indicated by printing, stenciling, branding, molding, etching, stitching or similar methods at the manufacturing stage.
You can see the Regulations here

Stay Updated With Global Textile Labeling Regulations:

Catch up on our latest apparel updates with your coffee here:

1. Minnesota’s Ban on PFAS: What Apparel Brands Need to Know
2. Key Takeaways from the Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference USA
3. Sustainability In Apparel: France’s Triman Logo
4. From Obligation to Opportunity: Harnessing EPR And The Triman Logo In France’s Circular Economy
5. Dutch Fashion Goes Green: Exploring The New Textile EPR Regulation

Recap on other recent Textile Labeling Requirements Hot Topics.

Stay up-to-date with our June 2023 textile update, where our experts discuss Asian textile labeling regulations for leather trim in Japan, Taiwan’s labelling criteria for shoes and Indonesia’s leather hide logo.

You can also catch up with our previous textile update from May 2023, which provides answers about European labeling regulations for recycled materials, non-textile parts of animal origin and EPR in the Netherlands.

Your Questions Answered

Many of the above questions were submitted and answers were conveyed to Compliance & Risks customers via the “Ask Our Experts” button in C2P. 

Clients use AOE to ask about the latest proposed, enacted and amended regulations and mandatory standards applicable to their products and geographies of interest. 

When AOE questions can be answered in 30 minutes or less, Compliance & Risks’ subject matter experts answer them at no charge!

To learn more about C2P and how Compliance & Risks’ SMEs can help you with your questions, contact us today.

Meet Our Expert

Stacey Bowers, Manager, Global Market Access

Stacey Bowers, MILS, is the Manager of Compliance & Risks’ Global Market Access team.

Stacey is a self-described “law nerd” with nearly 20 years’ experience consulting on international consumer products regulations and standards. She has extensive knowledge of analytical, labeling, safety and testing issues applicable to apparel, cosmetics, food, food contact articles, footwear, giveaways/ incentives/ premiums, home textiles, jewelry, juvenile products and toys.

Stacey and her team of 10 librarians and lawyers produce current, comprehensive and customized research to address strategic business needs for retailers and manufacturers, including entering new geographic markets; facilitating education and training throughout the supply chain; and development of global best practices around regulatory compliance.

Download Free Packaging EPR Whitepaper

This whitepaper provides an overview of current legal requirements for packaging producers in the USA, Canada and Mexico and outlines upcoming and proposed legal changes across the North American continent.

DOWNLOAD NOW