Apparel Groups Call for Harmonized, Simplified TTIP Labeling Rules
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership should simplify apparel labeling requirements in order to cut down on labeling costs and allow for easy product shipments throughout the U.S. and European Union, said the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the U.S. Fashion Industry Association and the European Branded Clothing Alliance in a position paper (here). The groups released the paper ahead of ongoing TTIP negotiations in Miami. The talks are set to wrap up on Oct. 23 (here).
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The trade associations called for harmonized labeling rules, including for animal content. “Currently the EU requires disclosure of animal content. The U.S. requires disclosure of faux leather and faux fur,” said the groups. “Such statements require a great deal of space in labels especially when factoring in translations. From our point of view it would be sufficient that content labels in both the EU and the U.S. disclose the presence of real leather in the material content listing just like fibers such as polyester or cotton.”
U.S. and EU negotiators should ensure free intellectual property for care symbols and harmonized rules on the care symbol labeling, while also limiting required language translations on labels and harmonizing flammability warnings and recycled content, the paper said. TTIP negotiators should also adopt symbols for country of origin specifications, said the groups, among other recommendations. Harmonized apparel rules will benefit industry and often translate to lower consumer costs, they said.