Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act and the FTC's Textile Rules, 16 CFR Part 303, a textile product sold in the US must carry, along with fibre content and country of origin, the identity of the manufacturer or of one or more persons marketing or handling the product. The FTC's labelling guide explains that this identity can be shown either as the name under which the company does business or as its Registered Identification Number, called an RN.

What an RN is

An RN is a number the FTC issues, on request, to US businesses that manufacture, import, distribute or sell textile, wool or fur products. It is an alternative to printing the company name. The FTC describes the RN as optional: a business can use its name instead. A foreign factory's internal code does not meet the requirement on its own.

Name or RN?

Using your own company name links the label clearly to your brand. An RN keeps the label short and can be useful when several brands share label stock. Either way, the identified business should be one that is actually responsible for the product in the US, such as your company or your importer, and the information must be accurate and kept up to date.

Private label situations

If a factory or wholesaler makes tees under your brand, decide who is identified on the label and make sure that business agrees. If you use someone else's RN, you rely on their records; if your brand handles complaints and returns, your own name or RN is usually clearer.

Where the information goes

The identity may appear on the same label as the fibre content and origin, or on another label, following the placement rules in the FTC's guide. Check the rules for the label position and legibility for your garment type.

Keep records

Keep copies of approved label artwork with the identity used, and review it if your company name, importer or RN changes.

If you sell in other markets, check their own requirements separately, since they differ from the US rules.

Applying for an RN through the FTC is straightforward for an eligible US business, so decide early which identity you will use before label artwork is finalised.