Are Care Labels Required for Clothing Sold in the US? (FTC Care Labeling Rule)
Last updated: October 20, 2026
Yes. Under the FTC's Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 423), manufacturers and importers must attach care instructions to clothing and certain piece goods sold in the United States. If you sell clothing under your own brand, including private-label products made by a contract factory, the obligation effectively lands on you.
Who is responsible for the care label?
The rule applies to manufacturers and importers. A brand that has its goods made elsewhere and sells them under its own name takes on the manufacturer's responsibility, so you cannot hand the duty off to the factory. Retailers that resell another company's goods should verify that suppliers provide compliant labels and should not remove them.
What must a care label include?
- Regular care instructions for the care the garment needs in ordinary use: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and, where relevant, dry cleaning.
- Warnings where an ordinary procedure that consumers might reasonably use would harm the garment, for example "Do not bleach" or "Do not iron".
- A reasonable basis for every instruction. That means testing, reliable experience or reliable information, such as fabric-supplier data.
Instructions may be written in words or shown with care symbols, and a label may give more than one set of instructions if each has a reasonable basis.
How must the label be attached?
The label must be permanently attached and legible for the useful life of the garment. It should be easy for consumers to find when they inspect the product, and if it is not visible at the point of sale, the information should also appear on a hangtag or package. Printed labels that fade after a few washes are a common cause of violations.
Which products are covered?
The rule covers most wearing apparel and some fabric sold by the yard for making clothes. Some items are exempt, such as products that can be safely washed and dried with the harshest methods, so check a specific product type against the FTC's guidance before skipping a label.
Does the Care Labeling Rule apply to online listings?
The rule's core obligation is the label attached to the garment. Even so, showing the same care instructions on the product page is good practice, because inconsistent online claims can create separate false-advertising risk. For Shopify stores, store care instructions in a product metafield and display them in the details section: see How to Handle Fiber Content and Country of Origin Disclosures on Shopify.
Penalties
Violations can lead to FTC civil penalties that can exceed $50,000 per violation, adjusted annually, in addition to returns, chargebacks and retailer penalties for noncompliant goods.
Care label compliance checklist
- [ ] Care instructions cover washing, drying, ironing, bleaching and dry cleaning where relevant
- [ ] Each instruction has documented support (test reports or supplier data)
- [ ] The label is permanently attached and stays legible after repeated washing
- [ ] Label wording matches your product page
- [ ] You collect label artwork from every supplier before production
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a care label if I only sell on Shopify? Yes. The rule applies to the garment, not the sales channel.
Can I use symbols only? Symbols are allowed, but they must communicate the full instructions.
Does a hangtag replace the sewn-in label? No. The permanent label is still required.
What about accessories and home textiles? Coverage varies by product, so check the rule and FTC guidance for each category.
Related guides
- FTC Textile Labeling Requirements: The Ultimate Shopify Checklist
- US Clothing Label Requirements: A Complete Checklist
- Do Clothing Brands Need an FTC RN Number?
This article is general information, not legal advice.