Canada’s Competition Bureau is proposing changes to the Textile Labeling
and Advertising Regulations (TLAR) that would simplify the labelling of
upholstered and stuffed articles.
The Textile Labelling Act (TLA) and TLAR specify the mandatory labelling
requirements for all consumer textile products offered onto the market in
Canada. The aim is to allow consumers to make better decisions, while
protecting them from misleading representations. The disclosure label should
bear the fiber content information expressed in percentages by mass, along with
information to identify the dealer.
The proposed changes to the TLAR, which states that products with a
filling or stuffing must be labelled, are intended to provide businesses with
greater clarity.
Proposed changes include:
- Exemption
for textile articles labelled under provincial regulations – section
10 of the TLAR would be simplified to exempt only fiber-related label
representations that are required by provincial law - Labelling
of textiles “used for warmth” and “textiles not used for
warmth” –requirements under section 37 (upholstered and stuffed
articles used for warmth) and subsection 38(1) (upholstered and stuffed
articles not used for warmth) would be harmonized and combined into one
section - Labelling
exemption for certain filled and stuffed textile articles – subsection
38(2) would be repealed. This currently exempts dealers from providing
information on a label regarding the fiber composition of filling or
stuffing used in upholstered furniture, mattresses, box springs, cushions,
chair pads, potholders, oven mitts, place mats, and mattress protectors
(subsection 38(2) articles). This proposal will require dealers to provide
information on a label regarding the filling or stuffing for all
subsection 38(2) articles - Filled and
stuffed textile articles produced prior to January 1, 2021 – a new
section will be added to the TLAR, allowing dealers to rely on the
subsection 38(2) exemption for articles produced before January 1, 2021.
Dealers of subsection 38(2) articles made after this date would be
required to disclose the fiber composition of the filling or stuffing used
in the article - Textile articles
subject to the TLA and TLAR – proposal to amend Schedule I (3) of the
TLAR to prescribe all textile components of subsection 38(2) articles - Consumer textile
articles containing filling or stuffing – proposal would amend the
current wording of Schedule II (5) of the TLAR to clarify that the section
is limited to consumer textile articles where the only textile fiber(s)
present are filling or stuffing (e.g. a bag of stuffing at a craft store) - Non-permanent
labels – proposal would amend Schedule II (3) to allow dealers to use
non-permanent labels to disclose all textile components of subsection
38(2) articles
The Competition Bureau is currently seeking comments relating to costs
and benefits to better understand the possible impact of its proposals. It
remains committed to ensuring businesses and consumers benefit from a thriving
and competitive marketplace.
Comments are accepted until October 29, 2020.
SGS Softlines Services
SGS has a worldwide network of over 40
state-of-the-art laboratories specializing in testing of apparel, footwear, and
home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary
backgrounds, allowing them to carry out a comprehensive range of physical,
chemical, and functional testing services for components, materials and
finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance, and
compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory standards worldwide. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.
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For further information contact:
Louann
Spirito
Consumer and Retail — Softlines
US & Canada Softlines Business Head
Tel: +1 973 461 7919
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About SGS
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