USA DOWN & FEATHER LABELING STANDARDS - APPAREL
(DOWN JACKETS, VESTS, BOOTS, etc.)
Down clothing does not require the complex law tag label needed for bedding products. Fill can be listed using the sub-label percentages only. However, they must be labeled using the new USA- 2000 down and feather standards.
On February 7, 2001, Carol Jennings, of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), wrote:
In rescinding the [1971 FTC] Guides, the FTC stated that the general principles of the FTC Act would apply to the marketing of down products. . . . Accordingly, a jacket labeled 80% down should in fact contain 80% down (within a very few percentage points).
William Cale, former President of ABFLO (association of government officials who enforce labeling laws), wrote: When the FTC rescinded their old guides it was for the entire industry, not just furniture and bedding... Down
blended goods should have a down content as stated on the law label.
Industry members are encouraged to be vigilant in monitoring both their own and their competitors practices. If, in the future, deceptive practices prove to be a problem in the industry, further FTC enforcement may be warranted.
LABELING RULES
A jacket labeled DOWN must have a minimum of 75% down. This minimum down % should be listed. An example of the correct sewn-in label is:
A down/feather jacket with tested content of 65% down should be labeled:
LICENSE TO SELL DOWN-FILLED CLOTHING IN THE USA:
If you sell, offer to sell (catalog or internet), distribute, manufacture, or import down-filled clothing in the USA and these products are shipped to any Utah location, you must license with the State of Utah.
