FTC Textile Labeling Requirements: The Ultimate Shopify Checklist
Last updated: October 20, 2026
If you sell clothing in the United States, the FTC requires three things on the label of every textile product: the fiber content, the country of origin and the identity of the company responsible for the product. The Care Labeling Rule adds a fourth, care instructions. For Shopify sellers, the labels are a physical requirement, but the same information also has to be accurate and easy to find on your product pages.
The laws behind the checklist
The FTC regulates apparel labeling through three federal rules:
- Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (16 CFR Part 303) covers most clothing and household textiles.
- Wool Products Labeling Act (16 CFR Part 300) covers wool products. See our Wool Products Labeling Act guide.
- Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 423) covers care instructions on garments. See Are Care Labels Required for Clothing Sold in the US?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection separately enforces country-of-origin marking on imports, so your labels have to satisfy both agencies.
The 3 core label requirements
- Fiber content. List each fiber by its FTC generic name and percentage by weight, in descending order. Fibers under 5% are generally listed as "other fiber" unless they have a specific function, such as spandex for stretch. Linings and other separate components are often listed separately.
- Country of origin. State where the product was made, for example "Made in Portugal". On garments with a neck, the origin label belongs at or near the inside center of the neck.
- Manufacturer or dealer identity. Show your company name or your FTC Registered Identification Number (RN). Read Do Clothing Brands Need an FTC RN Number?
Plus the care label: permanently attached, legible for the life of the garment, and describing the regular care the garment needs.
The Shopify textile labeling checklist
Physical label (confirm with each supplier)
- [ ] Fiber content is listed with FTC generic names, in descending order by weight
- [ ] Country of origin is on the label and matches your customs paperwork
- [ ] Company name or RN is on the label
- [ ] A permanent care label is attached
- [ ] Wool products carry wool-specific fiber wording
- [ ] Label placement and legibility are checked on a production sample
Shopify product data
- [ ] A "Material composition" metafield exists and is filled for every product
- [ ] A "Country of origin" metafield is filled and shown on the product page
- [ ] Care instructions appear in the product details
- [ ] Product data matches the physical label word for word
- [ ] Variants made in different countries or with different fabrics have their own data
- [ ] "Made in USA" claims are supported: see Made in USA Clothing Labels
- [ ] Environmental claims in descriptions are substantiated: see our claims checklist
Process
- [ ] Collect label artwork and fabric test reports from each supplier before launch
- [ ] Re-check data when a supplier or fabric changes
- [ ] Keep records of fiber and origin decisions
- [ ] Audit the catalog twice a year: How to Audit Your Shopify Product Catalog
Do the rules apply to online listings?
The FTC treats product listings that let a customer order without seeing the garment label much like mail-order catalogs. For country of origin this is explicit: 16 CFR 303.34 requires a clear statement that the product is made in the USA, imported or both in mail-order catalogs and promotional material, and the FTC has applied that to online stores since 1998. If a listing names a fiber, the rules also call for full fiber content to be disclosed. The practical safe harbor is simple: show the same fiber content, country of origin and care information on the product page that appears on the label. Details are in How to Handle Fiber Content and Country of Origin Disclosures on Shopify.
Common mistakes
- Using marketing terms such as "viscose" or "elastane" instead of the FTC generic names "rayon" and "spandex"
- Listing fiber content in the wrong order
- Copying a supplier's label wording without checking it
- Showing "Made in" on the page but a different country on the label
- Missing care instructions on accessories and home textiles that are covered
Civil penalties for violating FTC rules can exceed $50,000 per violation, an amount that is adjusted annually.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an RN number? Not if you put your company name on the label. An RN is an optional substitute for U.S. businesses.
Do print-on-demand brands need labels? Yes. If you sell the garment under your brand, you are responsible for compliant labels.
Are accessories covered? Some are, some are not. Check the Textile Act's coverage and exemptions for each product type.
Do I need all of this on the product page? At minimum, fiber content, country of origin and care information should match the label.
Related guides
- US Clothing Label Requirements: A Complete Checklist for Apparel Brands
- How to Handle Fiber Content and Country of Origin Disclosures on Shopify
- Are Care Labels Required for Clothing Sold in the US?
This article is general information, not legal advice.