Care Label: What You Need to Know About Its Legal Definition
Definition & Meaning
A care label is a permanent tag or label attached to textile products, such as clothing and certain fabrics. This label provides essential care instructions and information about how to properly clean and maintain the item. The purpose of a care label is to ensure that users can keep the product in good condition throughout its useful life, and it must remain legible and securely attached to the product.
Legal Use & context
Care labels are governed by regulations set forth by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Care Labeling Rule. This rule falls under consumer protection laws, ensuring that manufacturers provide accurate care instructions to prevent damage to their products and protect consumers from misleading information. Users can manage care labeling compliance through legal forms and templates available from resources like US Legal Forms.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
For instance, a shirt may have a care label stating: "Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, iron on medium heat." This provides clear guidance on how to care for the shirt to avoid damage.
(Hypothetical example) A manufacturer produces a line of jackets and includes care labels with instructions to "dry clean only." If a consumer washes the jacket in water, it may shrink or become damaged, leading to potential disputes over product quality.
Relevant laws & statutes
The primary regulation governing care labels is the Care Labeling Rule, codified at 16 CFR Part 423. This rule outlines the requirements for care labels on textile wearing apparel and certain piece goods.