New Technical Regulation concerning minimum labeling requirements for apparel approved for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Collectively known as the Andean Community, these four countries have introduced an Andean Technical Regulation that was originally proposed in April 2019. Now approved as Andean Technical Regulations for the Labelling of Apparel – Resolution No. 2019 – it sets out minimum clothing labeling requirements to prevent misinforming consumers in the Andean Community.
The minimum labelling requirements are:
- Composition of the material that makes up the product – permanent label
- Care and conservation instructions – permanent label
- Country of origin or manufacture – permanent label
- Identification of the manufacturer or importer – permanent or non-permanent label
- Size or dimensions, as applicable – permanent or non-permanent label
The regulation indicates the type of expressions that can be used for country of origin. Although similar phrases may be applicable, examples include:
- “Hecho en …”
- “Fabricado en…”
- “Elaborado en…”
The above information must be contained on one or more labels. It must be written in simple terms and must be indelible, legible, visible and easily accessible to the consumer. It must be written in Spanish, although additional languages, expressions, abbreviations, symbols or pictograms may be used.
It should be noted that additional or special information must not cover or distort the minimum information required. The Technical Regulation also states that corrections and updates with the new information cannot be superimposed over an original label.
Stakeholders manufacturing or importing ‘sets’ – two or more textile products – should note that all items should be labelled individually, even if they contain the same composition of materials. However, if the textile articles are made of the same material and are sold in pairs (e.g. mittens, gloves or socks), at least one of the pieces is required to bear the label(s) with the minimum information.
Annex 1 of the Technical Regulation contains a list of garments and clothing items that’s are not included, but these may be regulated by internal regulations of each member country. Excluded products include:
- Tailor-made clothing and household goods
- Diplomatic franchises
- Rescue supplies
- Donations
- Advertising materials
- Samples without commercial value
- Personal items or luggage of travellers
- Correspondence
- Postal packages
- Emergency supplies
This Technical Regulation will come into effect 18 months after it is published in the Official Gazette of the Cartagena Agreement.
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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Consumer and Retail — Softlines
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