Canadian Competition Bureau Proposes Updates to Textile Labeling and Advertising Regulations

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: 

1. 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
2. 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
3. Labelling exemption for certain filled and stuffed textile articles – subsection 38(2) would be repealed.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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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)
7. 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

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