I thought everyone out there who is handmaking ladies, men’s, baby’s accessories should be aware of the law when listing and including information on sold goods. Here’s a little guideline.
Displaying the material and the fibre percentages of textiles and apparel is a mandatory requirement in the UK. This is specified in the 2012 edition of the Guidance on Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations. These regulations state that information about the main fibre content of a garment must be displayed in percentages, e.g. 100% Cotton.
This labelling description must be understandable to the market in which it will be sold so if you are thinking about selling to other markets, i.e. the European Union, then there are different regulations to consider such as multiple languages and text size.
The term “mixed fibres” is perfectly legal and acceptable. Expecting us, as individual makers, to jump through the same hoops as a manufacturer is like expecting your Saturday night teenage babysitter to have a degree in childcare. By “hoops” I mean the kind of textile testing that manufacturers have to do, in order to comply and sell their ten thousand units per month.
For example, one of my bags may have twenty to thirty different fabrics in it. I don’t even know the fibre content of some of them. I don’t even know the origin sometimes - I just have them, in my stash. So I use “mixed” as a term. But then I make one bag at a time and each one is unique. I couldn’t identify percentages, even if I had the remotest interest in doing so.
I’m not sure what the letter of the law is on this, but there are a few well established fabric companies that supply “mixed fabrics” without specifying exact percentages. I am also aware that Beyond Retro which is a world wide website specializing in quality second hand clothes often uses terms such as “cotton mix” or “mixed fibres.”
It could be that the operative word is “guidance” which indicates that all of the subsequent information is non-binding. Unless I was able to see the regulations themselves, though, I would not be able to say for sure about this interpretation.
it is all very confusing. I just know that when I was starting up my business of designing and making accessories, knitting and crocheting with different yarns, I looked up on lots of different government and ce marking sites and came to the conclusion that I had to say on labels what each item was made of. I suppose it’s helpful for those with allergies so they don’t buy something they can’t wear.
Hi Daisy, I take it this why you emailed me just before you posted this on the forum, querying about my ‘lovely’ green cowl? The materials I use are stated in the materials section in my all my listings, and also the percentages of each yarn are in the descriptions I have written (yes, in the green cowl, I just stated that it’s 25% wool, but in the materials section on that listing I have stated it’s made out of acrylic and wool). Will you be putting the percentages of each yarn you use in your listings?
Hi. Yes I think I have to. I put it on all my labels that go out with the items. It’s like a minefield out there isn’t it. So many different regs we have to abide by. Such fun x
Luckily the regulations don’t apply if what you are making is either constructed from vintage or recycled textiles or if they are one of a kind or customised items, which most things on Folksy are.
After reading this thread with interest, I decided to take a look at your shop. You have some beautiful items for sale. However, I feel there are more important issues when selling to the public like health and safety. I notice that you have some baby booties for sale and you don’t mention that there is a button attached in the details nor mention buttons as a material. I would never sell anything suitable for babies that may be a choking hazard. I make my items as a hobby and feel that trying to workout the exact fibre content of each product would be impossible and take the enjoyment out of it. Life is too short!
Gosh, i put up a thread and was guided to here. it is a minefield! I want to just make cowls. i guess its probably not so bad as the content will be mostly anyway, fleece which is polyester. Or polyester knitted fleece backed. Most materials these days are polyester of some kind. but it still makes you think if its worth it?
@Amberlilly if you don’ t know the exact properties of the fabric you can put ‘unspecified textile composition’ most of it is aimed at not misleading the customer.
This thread appears to be getting a little out of hand and personal! Here is a link for the Gov.uk site with info on the subject. It doesn’t matter if you make your products as a hobby or a business if you are selling to the public you should respect the guidelines. https://www.gov.uk/product-labelling-the-law
And as soon as you start selling you should register with them as a business/sole trader. I don’t think you can sell as a hobby anymore but correct me if I’m wrong please.
It’s also a requirement when selling clothing to the public that care instructions for the item are included. I attach a hand written label with fibre content and care instructions to each item of clothing I make, takes me longer than hooking the thing up sometimes, but there you go.
In my craft fair days when I was selling crochet, we had a regular trading standards officer inspecting what we made. I had long conversations with him about yarn content and mentioned that sometimes people would give me yarn and I might have no idea what the content was. He said that it was acceptable to put “Mixed fibres” on the label.
