Most soft "bamboo" fabrics are not bamboo fibre in the plant's natural form. The bamboo is broken down chemically into cellulose and regenerated as a manufactured fibre, which is rayon, also called viscose. Under fibre labelling rules, the label must name the actual fibre, so "95% bamboo" is generally not a correct fibre content statement for a viscose fabric.

What the FTC says

The FTC's business guidance on bamboo explains that textiles made from bamboo cellulose through chemical processing are rayon, and should be labelled and advertised as rayon, or rayon made from bamboo. A product can be called bamboo only if it is made from bamboo fibre processed mechanically and the claim can be supported. The FTC's Textile Rules, 16 CFR Part 303, set out the generic fibre names, and since the 2014 amendments they accept internationally recognised names such as viscose. A label such as "95% viscose made from bamboo, 5% spandex" or the rayon equivalent fits that approach.

Hang tags and product pages

The same principle applies to advertising, including product pages, ads and hang tags. You can mention the bamboo source, but the fibre should be named correctly, for example "rayon made from bamboo". Avoid suggesting that the fabric keeps properties of the bamboo plant, such as being naturally antibacterial, unless you have evidence for the finished fabric; the FTC guidance warns about unsupported claims of that kind.

EU labelling

In the EU, Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 lists the fibre names that may be used, and "viscose" is the relevant name. Adding a description of the raw material source should be handled carefully so it does not look like a fibre name; check wording with your EU importer or retailer.

Environmental claims

Bamboo is often marketed as eco-friendly, but the chemical processing to make viscose has its own impacts. Environmental claims need support for the actual product and process, not just the plant.

What to do now

Correct the fibre content on the next label print run, update product pages and tags at once, and ask the fabric supplier for documentation of the fibre type. Tell marketplace and retail partners about the change so their listings are updated too.