Product labelling is a core requirement for apparel and textile businesses selling in the UK and internationally. However, requirements are rarely uniform and can vary depending on the product category and destination market.
UKFT supports members by helping them understand how labelling requirements apply practically and how to approach compliance across multiple markets. While there are common labelling categories, the specific rules, formats, and language requirements often differ, meaning a tailored approach is typically required.
Most products will need to consider different labelling elements, including care instructions, fibre composition, country of origin, and safety or environmental information.
UKFT provides guidance across the varying areas of labelling and help members to interpret requirements and identify where additional considerations may apply depending on where products are sold.
Care labelling is widely used across global markets, most commonly through the GINETEX symbol system. These symbols are internationally recognised but are protected by trademark and require a valid licence to use.
For example, certain product categories, such as nightwear, may be subject to specific safety or flammability requirements.
Fibre Content
Fibre content labelling is mandatory in the UK and most export markets under the 2012 Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations.
This section covers:
- legal fibre content requirements
- how to present fibre percentages (for example: cotton 80%, polyester 20%)
- guidance notes on different market requirements
Country of Origin
Country of Origin information is a legal requirement in some markets and important to avoid misleading consumers.
This section explains:
- when “Made in…” labelling is required
- examples of misleading origin labelling
- how incorrect origin information can affect market access
Importer and brand details
UKFT can advise on specific market requirements.
Certain markets require garments to be labelled with:
- the name of the brand
- the name and address of the importer or responsible party
Labelling and the environment (Clevercare)
Consumer demand for sustainable practices is rising.
The CLEVERCARE system encourages environmentally responsible product care through:
- washing at lower temperatures
- reducing drying and ironing
- minimising environmental impact during the garment’s lifecycle
Flammability
Nightwear and some categories of clothing are subject to specific flammability labelling requirements.
This section provides:
- guidance on applicable standards
- details on labelling obligations for children’s and adults’ nightwear
UKFT provides members with access to compliance support to help them navigate these requirements and reduce risk.
Support includes:
- Guidance on global labelling requirements
- Interpretation of market specific rules
- Care labelling support and GINETEX licensing
- Labelling reviews and practical recommendations
- Updates on regulatory developments
Our role is to support businesses in understanding and applying requirements correctly, particularly where products are sold across multiple markets.
UKFT is the exclusive UK representative of GINETEX, authorised to issue licences for the use of care symbols.
Members can access:
- A licence to use GINETEX care symbols and Clevercare marks
- Supporting technical resources
- Ongoing compliance support
A valid licence is required. Licences are non-transferable and must be held by each individual company.
If you would like support with product labelling or are unsure how requirements apply to your business, please contact UKFT by emailing Compliance@ukft.org
UKFT has a number of members which can provide labelling services to fashion and textile brands and retailers.
Featured services include:
- branded woven and printed labels
- care and fibre composition labels
- swing tickets and packaging labels
- RFID and bespoke branding solutions
With over 30 years’ experience, Asquith Group has turned custom fabric label design into an art form. They supply a diverse range of textile branding products including swing tickets, bed and mattress labels, stock seals, woven fabric labels and lanyards, self-adhesive labels, printed garment labels, care and composition labels, haberdashery and trimmings.
Asquith understand the challenges you face when sourcing sustainable labels and swing tags for your eco product line, which is why they have developed a range of eco and natural fibre labelling products that give you greater choice.
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Bellwoven Packaging specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of a wide range of garment accessories and has been established for more than 40 years. The company’s product range includes garment labelling, tickets, tissues, ribbons and bespoke packaging, all of which can be produced in a sustainable way.
Bellwoven can offer low minimum order quantities and a full branding package, using its in-house designers for full consistency throughout.
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Byways has been providing solutions to the apparel industry for over 50 years. Labels and packaging are vital to clothing retailers and brands – the entire supply chain is reliant on the label supplier getting it right every time.
Byways has production facilities covering five strategic locations across Europe and Asia, allowing the company to provide first class service to clients, together with their manufacturing network. The firm also offers in-house design services to maintain close contact from brand conception to the finished solution.
The company’s online ordering platform is tailored to clients’ specific requirements allowing real-time traceability of orders.
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National Weaving, a family-operated British manufacturer specialising in premium woven and printed labels, boasts over three decades of expertise.
Their company’s ethos revolves around authenticity, sustainability and social responsibility within the industry, with all products meticulously crafted in their Welsh factory since 1987. Setting themselves apart as a bonafide UK manufacturer, they are dedicated to genuine British craftsmanship.
If British quality, local production, and sustainability align with your business values, we are honoured to be your label provider of choice.
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Nilorn develops and refine brands, primarily in the fashion industry, with identity and value at the core of what it does. With a strong focus on design and sustainability, Nilorn assist clients around the world in creating unique and attractive brand experiences for their customers – where both tactile expression and visual aesthetic combine to maximise impact.
The company offers products and solutions to both identify and enhance the feel of a brand. Its product range includes trims, packaging and information labels. Nilorn also offers RFID labels in the form of hangtags, adhesive labels and textile labels.
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Established in 1979, Pennine Labels is proud to be a prominent UK manufacturer for over 45 years.
Pennine Studio has become a go-to destination for businesses seeking tailored solutions for woven and printed fabric labels and swing tickets in the fashion industry. It also offers branded packaging products, including customised boxes and packing bespoke tissue paper.
The company delivers high quality products and services, ensuring that every customer receives the upmost in professionalism and help.
Its range includes customised labels, decorative branding such as leather, metal badges, silicone badges and personalised packaging. Pennine Labels Ltd also offers a wide array of paper products such as leaflets, booklets, swing tickets, adhesive labels and business cards.
Pennine Labels can work with low MOQs right through to full global production, and provides a variety of sustainable solutions.
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Total Retail Solutions (TRS) Worlwide has provided packaging and trims to the garment industry for over 30 years. The company manufactures and supplies bespoke support materials to a wide range of retail and fashion businesses, including care labels, woven labels, swing tickets, barcodes, RFID solutions and bespoke packaging.
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With over 45 years of industry experience, Trimco Group is a premier label and packaging supplier for the textile and footwear sectors, and a global leader in supply chain traceability, data management, and RFID solutions.
The company specializes in brand identity solutions through deep data insight, production innovation, and in-house design capabilities, offering a diverse range of product solutions, including trims, packaging, paper hangers, and accurate care and content labels. Trusted by major retailers and brands for close partnerships and support on complex projects, Trimco Group can provide tailored advice and practical assistance on sustainability and compliance. With a global production footprint and dedicated local teams, Trimco Group delivers efficient, scalable solutions to more than 1200 brands and 30,600 manufacturers.
Helping to build transparent and responsible supply chains, Trimco Group entails the combined forces of the companies formerly known as A-TEX, CLOTEX, LABELON, WAH LUNG LABELS, ZABIN GROUP and NEXGEN PACKAGING with more than 2,500 employees in 27 countries.
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For over 42 years, Weavabel has been providing innovative branding solutions to fashion brands across the globe. With a focus on sustainable clothing accessories and packaging, such as swing tags, woven labels, gift boxes and mailing bags, the company works as your trusted advisor to make your branding more eco-friendly.
Weavabel currently helps over 400 clothing brands to become more sustainable by switching base materials to either a recycled, biodegradable or organic alternative.
The company’s accredited supply network offers transparent sourcing and combined with their multiple-location stockholding facilities can help to improve consistency across a brand’s product portfolio.
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