What must an underwear care and content label include for the US and EU?

Short answer: In the US, textile products such as underwear generally need fibre content, country of origin and the identity of the manufacturer or dealer under the FTC's Textile Fiber Products Identification Act rules, plus care instructions under the FTC Care Labeling Rule. In the EU, Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 requires fibre composition labelling using the fibre names listed in the regulation, in the official language or languages of the member state where the product is sold. Care labelling is not required by that regulation: the European Commission's FAQ states that care instructions and size labelling are not covered by it. Many brands use the voluntary ISO 3758 / GINETEX care symbols, and some member states have national care-labelling rules. Other EU rules, national rules or retailer requirements may add obligations, so check for each market and keep documentation.

United States

• Fibre content: generic fibre names and percentages by weight (FTC textile rules).
• Country of origin: where the product was processed or manufactured.
• Identity: the name of the manufacturer or dealer, or a registered identification number (RN).
• Care instructions: required by the Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 423), on a label permanently attached and legible for the product's useful life.

European Union

• Fibre composition: required by Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, using the fibre names in the regulation.
• Language: in the official language(s) of the member state where the product is made available to the consumer, unless national law says otherwise (Article 16(3)).
• Care instructions: not covered by Regulation 1007/2011 (Commission FAQ); commonly given with ISO 3758 / GINETEX symbols.
• National rules: several member states have their own care-labelling or language rules, so check each country you sell in.
• Durability: Article 14 requires labels and markings to be durable, easily legible, visible and accessible, and labels to be securely attached.

Practical points

• Use one label design that meets both markets where possible.
• Check fibre names, since some trade names are not allowed as fibre names.
• Keep supplier composition data to support the label.
• Base care instructions on testing.

Common mistakes

• Using trade names instead of generic fibre names.
• Missing country of origin for the US.
• Care instructions that do not match how the garment was tested.
• Labels that fade or peel before the end of the garment's useful life.

Documentation

Keep supplier composition statements, test reports and approved label artwork for each style. Retailers and authorities may ask for evidence supporting the label.

Limits

This article summarises official rules but is not legal advice. Rules change; check the current text and get local advice for your markets.

Facts, recommendations and uncertainty

Established: the US requires fibre content, origin, identity and care labelling; the EU requires fibre composition in local languages. Recommendation: check official sources and keep supporting documents. Uncertain: national or retailer requirements beyond these rules.

Sources and further reading

• eCFR — 16 CFR Part 423, Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel
• eCFR — 16 CFR Part 303, Rules under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (§303.43 tolerances, §303.3 fibres under 5%)
• Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 — Textile fibre names and labelling
• European Commission — FAQs on Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011
• GINETEX — International care labelling symbols

Standards and regulations are referenced by their published scope. Test parameters, cycles and pass levels should be agreed with your laboratory for the specific product; legal requirements should be confirmed for each destination market.