EU-Compliant Textile Label Template

This document provides a sample label template and guidance for creating EU-compliant product labels.

Label Requirements Summary

Legal Requirements

• Permanence: Label must be securely attached and not easily removable
• Legibility: Text must be clearly readable (minimum font size typically 1.5 mm)
• Language: English acceptable for B2B; local language required for D2C retail in each market
• Placement: Label must be on or attached to the product; visible at point of sale
• Information: Fibre composition, country of origin, and care instructions required

Prohibited Placements

• ❌ Neck label only (must also have size label or interior label)
• ❌ Packaging only (must be on garment itself)
• ❌ Care label only (does not satisfy fibre composition requirement)
• ❌ Unreadable font or washed-out printing

Sample Label Template

Full-Size Label (Typical for Apparel)

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              [BRAND LOGO]
              [BRAND NAME]
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COMPOSITION
100% COTTON

CARE INSTRUCTIONS
30°C | Do Not Bleach | Tumble Dry Low | Do Not Iron

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Made in India

SIZE
M (Medium)

STYLE / ITEM CODE
JER-NAVY-001

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Company Name & Address:
ABC Garments Ltd
123 Textile Park
Ahmedabad 380 009
India
www.abcgarments.com
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Detailed Label Component Guide

1. Brand / Company Identification

Required: Yes

What to Include:

• Brand/company name
• Logo (optional but recommended)
• Company address OR website

Example:

ABC Garments Ltd
123 Textile Park, Ahmedabad 380009, India
www.abcgarments.com
Phone: +91-79-2660-1234

Note: For EU retailers, the address should be an EU contact point or distributor. Alternatively, include an email for compliance inquiries.

2. Fibre Composition

Required: Yes (mandatory per EU Textile Regulation)

Format Rules:

• List all fibres present in order of weight percentage (highest to lowest)
• Each fibre must show exact percentage (to nearest 1%)
• Percentages must total 100%
• Use official fibre names per ISO 1833 standard

Correct Examples:

• ✓ "100% Cotton"
• ✓ "60% Polyester / 40% Cotton"
• ✓ "85% Viscose / 15% Elastane"

Incorrect Examples:

• ❌ "Cotton blend" (no percentage)
• ❌ "60% Polyester / 35% Cotton / 5% Other" (too vague, doesn't total 100%)
• ❌ "Natural fibres" (not specific fibre name)
• ❌ "60% Polyester, 40% Cotton, 1% Metal" (metal is not a textile fibre)

Accepted Fibre Names (ISO 1833):

Note: If claiming "organic" or "recycled," additional labels/certifications required (see below).

3. Care Instructions (Optional but Recommended)

Format: ISO 3758 Care Labelling Symbols + Text

ISO 3758 Symbols Explanation:

Sample Care Label:

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Wash at 30°C
Do not bleach
Tumble dry on low
Do not iron

[Optional: Use ISO 3758 symbols here]

Best Practice: Include both text and symbols for clarity; consumers still often don't understand ISO symbols alone.

4. Country of Origin

Required: Yes

Format: "Made in [Country]" or "Product of [Country]"

Rules:

• State the country where the product underwent last substantial transformation
• If garment is sewn in India, but fabric woven in Bangladesh, typically label says "Made in India" (sewing is final transformation)
• Exception: If fabric + sewing both outsourced, you may state "Made in [multiple countries]" or list country of sewing (usually final step)

Examples:

• "Made in India"
• "Product of India"
• "Made in India (fabric woven in Pakistan, sewn in India)" — if transparency desired

5. Size

Required: Recommended (not legally mandatory, but essential for retail)

Format: Standard sizes per region

• EU: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (or numeric: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16)
• US: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (numeric: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18+)

Placement: Usually on a separate size label or integrated into main label

6. Product Style / Item Code

Required: Recommended (for inventory and traceability)

Format: Internal SKU or style code

• Example: "JER-NAVY-001" or "CT-T-CREW-BLUE-M"

Benefit: Enables rapid product identification for recall or audit

7. Additional Information (Product-Specific)

For Products with Animal Origin Components:

Required: If product contains animal-origin non-textile parts

Example:

Contains non-textile parts of animal origin:
- Down filling (goose)
- Leather (calf)

Prohibited: Making animal-origin claims without disclosure (e.g., "cashmere blend" must state % cashmere, not just imply).

For Products with Nickel Risk (Metal Components):

Recommended: If product contains metal buttons, zippers, or closures

Example:

Nickel content: <0.2 μg/cm²/week per EN 12472
Safe for skin contact

8. Certification Logos (If Applicable)

Optional but Recommended: Show certifications visually

Common Certifications:

Important: Only show logo if you hold valid certification; false claims = legal liability.

Complete Label Example (Multi-Language for EU)

Version 1: English Label

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               ABC GARMENTS

            COTTON JERSEY
             CREW NECK TEE
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COMPOSITION
100% COTTON

CARE
Wash at 30°C | Do not bleach | Dry flat
Do not tumble dry | Do not iron

MADE IN INDIA

SIZE: M
STYLE: JER-CREW-NAVY-001

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ABC Garments Ltd, Ahmedabad, India
Phone: +91-79-2660-1234
www.abcgarments.com

[OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 LOGO]

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Version 2: French Label (for French Market)

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               ABC GARMENTS

           JERSEY EN COTON
         T-SHIRT COL ROND
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COMPOSITION
100% COTON

ENTRETIEN
Laver à 30°C | Ne pas blanchir | Sécher à plat
Ne pas utiliser le sèche-linge | Ne pas repasser

FABRIQUÉ EN INDE

TAILLE: M
RÉFÉRENCE: JER-CREW-NAVY-001

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ABC Garments Ltd, Ahmedabad, Inde
Tél: +91-79-2660-1234
www.abcgarments.com

[OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 LOGO]

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Label Placement Guidelines

For Apparel (Shirt, Dress, Jacket)

• Primary label: Sewn into side seam, neck seam, or interior
• Secondary label: Attached with pins/tags if separate size label
• Content: All mandatory information on primary label

For Accessories (Scarf, Hat, Bag)

• Primary label: Sewn into seam or attached to item
• Content: Fibre composition + origin minimum; care optional

For Underwear, Socks

• Primary label: Sewn into waistband or top of item
• Content: Fibre composition + care instructions + origin

Visual Layout Best Practice:

• Center all text for readability
• Use legible font (sans-serif recommended: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana)
• Minimum font size: 1.5 mm (≈ 5pt font)
• Use line spacing for clarity (not cramped)
• Use colour contrast (black text on white background; avoid grey on grey)

Common Label Mistakes to Avoid

Digital Label Considerations (DPP-Ready)

As Digital Product Passport (ESPR) becomes mandatory:

Print + Digital Hybrid:

• Physical label: Fibre composition + basic care (statutory minimum)
• QR code on label: Points to digital passport with full data
• Digital passport: Energy, water, GHG, supply chain, detailed care, repairability

Example QR Code Placement:

[Physical Label]                 [QR Code →  Digital Passport]
100% COTTON                      Digital Link
Made in India                     Fibre: 100% cotton
Size M                            Sustainability: 2.5 kWh/kg energy, 45L/kg water
                                  Supply chain: Transparent (click for details)
                                  Care: Full instructions with video

Compliance Verification Checklist

Before printing labels, verify:

• Fibre composition is accurate (matches lab test, ±2% tolerance)
• Percentages total exactly 100%
• Fibre names are official ISO 1833 names
• Country of origin is correctly identified (last substantial transformation)
• Care instructions align with fibre type (e.g., don't recommend 95°C wash for delicate fabrics)
• Font is legible (minimum 1.5mm)
• Language matches target market (English for B2B; local language for retail)
• Certifications logos are only shown if you hold valid, current certification
• All legally required information is present
• Sample label has been approved by legal/compliance team
• Label supplier is instructed on artwork specs (colours, font, sizing)

Label Artwork File Specifications

For Label Printer Submission

File Format: PDF (vector preferred) or high-res PNG/JPG (minimum 300 DPI)

Dimensions: Specify exact label size in mm (typical: 50mm × 40mm for apparel)

Colour: Specify CMYK (for printing) or provide Pantone colour codes

Text: Specify font name, size (pt), weight (regular, bold)

Bleed: Add 3-5mm bleed margin for cut lines

Proofing: Always order sample before mass production

Resources

• ISO 1833: Fibre names and definitions (international standard)
• ISO 3758: Care labelling symbols
• EU Textile Regulation 1007/2011: Official fibre composition requirements
• National enforcement bodies: Check local requirements for retail markets (France DGCCRF, Germany KBA, etc.)

What Should You Do Next?

Validate labels against EU rules with a free assessment.