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Short answer: EU law requires every textile product sold to consumers to carry a durable label stating its fibre composition, in the official language of each country where it is sold. Care instructions, country of origin and size are not required by EU-wide law for most textiles, but buyers expect them and some member states or retailers demand them.
What is mandatory and what is not
| Label content | EU-wide rule | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre composition | Mandatory | Always include |
| Language of the country of sale | Mandatory for the fibre names | One label can carry several languages |
| Care symbols | Not mandatory EU-wide | Expected by every buyer |
| Country of origin | Not mandatory EU-wide for textiles | Often added. Must be truthful if stated |
| Size | Not mandatory | Add it for bed linen |
| Manufacturer or importer name and address | Required under general product safety rules | Usually on the packaging or label |
The fibre rules come from the EU Textile Labelling Regulation, No 1007/2011.
Getting the fibre label right
- Use the fibre names listed in the regulation: "cotton", "polyester". Brand names alone are not allowed.
- "100% cotton" or "pure cotton" may be used only when the product is entirely cotton, apart from small permitted tolerances.
- For blends, list fibres in descending order by weight with percentages: "65% polyester, 35% cotton".
- The label must be durable, legible, visible and securely attached.
Languages
A towel sold in Germany needs "Baumwolle". Sold in France, "coton". Sold in Italy, "cotone". A single sewn-in label can list the fibre in several languages, which is what most importers selling across borders do.
| English | German | French | Italian | Spanish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Baumwolle | Coton | Cotone | Algodón |
| Polyester | Polyester | Polyester | Poliestere | Poliéster |
Hotel and laundry supply
The labelling regulation is aimed at products sold to consumers. Goods supplied to businesses for their own use, such as hotel linen, may show the composition in the commercial documents instead of on each piece. Most hotel buyers still want a sewn-in label, because it carries the care instructions for their laundry.
Care symbols
The familiar wash-tub, triangle, square, iron and circle symbols are the international care labelling system. They are trademarked, and their use in some countries involves a licensing body. Ask your importer how they handle this in your market.
Make sure the care label matches how the product should really be washed. A label that says 40°C on a hotel towel that will be washed at 60°C or above helps nobody.
Beyond the label
Labelling is one part of EU compliance. Chemical safety falls under REACH. See REACH and azo dyes. The UK has its own, similar labelling rules since leaving the EU.
What to send your supplier
- The countries where the product will be sold
- The fibre composition wording in each language
- Care symbols and any text
- Your company name and address as it should appear
- Label type and position: see the textile label guide
Custom labels are made before stitching begins, so send artwork early. The packing and labelling guide shows where each label goes.
We are not a law firm, and rules change. Confirm the requirements for your product and country with your importer or a compliance adviser. To get labels quoted with your order, send us your markets.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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