How to avoid misleading textile labelling information

Textile labelling rules require accurate fibre content and ban misleading product claims, enforced in Northern Ireland by Trading Standards.

Manufacturers, distributors, and importers must provide a label showing the item’s fibre content when introducing a textile product to the market under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012. This information must be accurate and not misleading, reflecting the actual composition.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) also prohibits misleading claims, actions and omissions relating to product descriptions.

Examples of misleading claims include:

  • labelling a cotton t-shirt as "100% organic cotton, made in the UK" when it was produced abroad and contains a blend of cotton and polyester
  • claiming the t-shirt is fully biodegradable when it is not

How textile labelling regulations are enforced in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the Trading Standards Service Northern Ireland enforces textile labelling regulations. They ensure retailers provide accurate information about fibre composition so consumers can make informed choices when purchasing textiles.

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