THE FUR LABELING ACT 2010
Until 2010, there was a loophole in the dog/cat fur ban law in the United States that exempted traders from specifying the contents or origin of any merchandize under $150. Consequently, since cat and dog fur are extremely inexpensive, as they are considered "budget fur," its trade continued as usual in the United States either under fictitious names or not named at all. The fur labeling act 2010 requires that all merchandize regardless of price to be specified by name, origin and other information specified on the links below. It is unlawful for trader to sell merchandize without full details regarding its materials and origins. Please access the links below to familiarize yourself with this important issue. We count on you to can help criminalize offenders to full extent under the law.
How fur dealers must comply with the Fur Products Labeling Act
Whether it's a coat, cape, jacket, stole or parka...if you manufacture, import or sell fur garments, you must comply with the labeling requirements under the Fur Products Labeling Act (FPLA). Garment labels give consumers important purchasing information. Consumers assume this information is accurate and truthful. When it's not - either through an innocent or deliberate act - their trust in your business is damaged. The likely result for you? A tarnished reputation and bottom-line. The Federal Trade Commission wants to help you comply with the FPLA and its rules and regulations. You can find these rules at www.ftc.gov.
Fur Labeling Requirements
Fur products - garments made either entirely or partly with fur - must have a label disclosing: The animal name, according to the Fur Products Name Guide. The Guide - at Section 301.0 of the rules - lists the animals whose fur could be used in a garment. However, simply because a name is on the list does not necessarily make it legal to sell that fur in the U.S. For example, some animals on the list may be endangered species and the sale of their fur prohibited. In addition, the Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 prohibits importing, exporting, selling, trading, advertising, transporting, or distributing any products made with dog or cat fur.
It is illegal to label a fur with the name of any animal other than the animal that produced the fur, and to use coined or fictitious animal names.
The adjective form of the country of origin of the fur may - but doesn't have to - precede the animal name (for example, "Russian Mink").
The name or Registered Identification Number (RN) of the manufacturer, importer or other seller, marketer or distributor of the fur.
The country of origin for imported fur products (including the country of origin for imported furs made into fur products in the U.S.).
Even if the adjective form of the country name is used with the animal name, the origin must be stated separately, preceded by the words "Fur Origin" (for example, "Fur Origin: Russia").
The country of origin of the garment made from fur may be different than the country of origin of the fur itself. Imported garments must be marked in accordance with the marking statute, 19 U.S.C. § 1304, enforced by the U.S. Customs Service. For details, see the Customs' web site at www.customs.treas.gov.
You may label domestic fur products to show origin, but the law doesn't require it. Domestic furs also may be labeled to show the particular state or part of the country they came from. A name that connotes a false geographic origin cannot be used, and domestic furs cannot be labeled or advertised in a way that implies they are imported. If the name of the animal, as listed in the Fur Products Name Guide, includes a geographic designation, but the animal was raised or taken in the U.S., the origin should be stated to prevent possible deception (for example, "Mexican Raccoon; Fur Origin: U.S.") If the fur is pointed, dyed, bleached, or artificially colored.
If these treatments don't apply, the fur should be labeled "natural."
If the fur product is composed in whole or substantial part (more than 10 percent of surface area) of pieces, such as paws, tails, bellies, sides, flanks, gills, ears, throats, heads, scraps, or waste fur.
If the fur is used or damaged.
The textile or wool content of the product, as well as the country of origin and manufacturer or dealer identity of the textile or wool component.
For example, on a wool coat with fur trim, the label must disclose the wool content as required by the Wool Act and Rules. You can find the text of these rules and the publication, Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts, on the Commission's web site at www.ftc.gov.
The content of a fur coat lining must be disclosed if the lining provides added warmth. If the lining serves only a structural purpose, its fiber does not have to be disclosed. If the lining contains any wool, the fiber content must be disclosed.
Mechanics of Labeling
Size. Labels must be a minimum of 1¾ by 2¾ inches (4.5 x 7 cm).
Durability. The label must be durable enough to remain on the fur until it is delivered to the consumer.
Lettering. The required information must be no smaller than pica or 12 point type, with all parts of the information in letters of equal size and conspicuousness.
Order. The required order of information on the label is:
whether the fur is natural or pointed, bleached, or dyed
if the product contains fur that has been sheared, plucked, or let-out (optional)
the adjective form of the name of the country from which the animal originated (optional)
name of the animal
if the fur product is composed of pieces
country of origin
any other information that is required or permitted.
The name or RN of the manufacturer or dealer may precede or follow the above.
Invoices and Advertising
The required information also must appear on invoices and in advertising for fur products.
Ads for a group of furs with various countries of origin may use the following statement, instead of separately listing the countries: "Fur products labeled to show country of origin of imported furs." This does not apply to catalog advertising where the customer does not have a chance to examine the product and its label before purchase.
Advertising of a general or institutional nature - not intended to promote the sale of any particular product(s) - need not have the required information. However, if the ad makes any reference to a color, you must disclose whether the color is caused by artificial coloring.
Exemption
If the cost to a manufacturer of fur trim used on a garment (not including the cost of adding the trim to the product) or a manufacturer's selling price of a fur product is $150 or less, the product is exempt from the statute and rules.
The exemption does not apply if:
the product contains dog or cat fur;
the product contains used fur;
the product is the whole skin of an animal, with head, ears, paws, and tail;
any false, deceptive, or misleading statements are made about the fur.
In addition, if any representations about the fur are made in labeling, invoicing, or advertising, you must disclose the name of the animal, whether the fur is artificially colored and whether the fur is composed of pieces.
Therefore, a product that meets the $150 exemption criteria cannot be called fur, animal fur or genuine fur without disclosures about the animal name, any artificial coloring process, and the use of fur pieces or waste. The exemption still would apply to the other Fur Rule requirements, such as the label size, and the disclosure of fur origin. Compliance with the Textile or Wool Rules labeling requirements would be necessary for other parts of the garment.
The manufacturer of an exempt fur product must keep records showing the cost of the fur. If the manufacturer's selling price of the product is more than $150, and the exemption applies because the original cost of the fur to the manufacturer was $150 or less, the invoice must state that the fur is exempt from the Fur Act and Rules (for example, "FPL EXEMPT").
Record Keeping
Manufacturers and dealers must keep records showing the required information for at least three years.
Enforcement of the Fur Act
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retail sellers are responsible for complying with fur labeling requirements and may be subject to civil or criminal penalties for selling mislabeled products. A violation of the FPLA, or the Commission's rules under the Act, is considered an unfair method of competition and an unfair and deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Commission may issue an administrative order prohibiting the conduct that violates the Act. Violators of an administrative order are subject to monetary civil penalties of up to $11,000 for each violation. Each instance of mislabeling is considered a separate violation. Criminal proceedings can be brought against willful violators of the FPLA. Violations of the Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 can result in penalties ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per violation, forfeiture of the product, and disbarment from importing, exporting, transporting, distributing, manufacturing, or selling any fur product in the U.S.
The U.S. Customs Service also can impose marking duties, liquidated damages, or seize improperly labeled imported items.
Sellers may protect themselves by asking their U.S. supplier of fur products for a guaranty of compliance with the FPLA and Fur Rules. Continuing guaranties of compliance also can be filed with the FTC. See sections 301.47-.48 of the Fur Rules for more information about guaranties.
For More Information
If you have questions about the Textile, Wool and Fur Acts and Rules, contact:
Textile Section
Division of Enforcement
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, DC 20580
Phone: 202-326-3553
Fax: 202-326-3197
You also may visit us at www.ftc.gov on the Web. Click on Business Guidance for information about complying with the Textile, Wool and Fur Acts and Rules. Or contact the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580; toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 1-866-653-4261.
Your Opportunity To Comment
The Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10 Regional Fairness Boards collect comments from small business about federal enforcement actions. Each year, the Ombudsman evaluates enforcement activities and rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. To comment on FTC actions, call 1-888-734-3247.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
DON'T LET THE LABEL FOOL YOU:
Before buying what is marked as "faux," when it may be made of budget furs (dog, cat, rabbit, etc), do the simple test: 1) REAL FUR: Feels smooth, soft. Blow on the fur, it divides as if on soft hair. Often made of several layers of thin hair, the fibers form a dense under-wool through which the longer hairs stick out. The base is leather which resists a pin, and it burns and smell like human hair. 2) FAUX FUR: Feels coarse, simpler structure; pierces easily with a pin. Individual hairs are often the same length and have and even color. Burns like plastic; hair feels hard between finger and thumb.
NOT SURE? DO NOT BUY IT!
THE DOG & CAT FUR ISSUE - HOW IT WAS: Although cat/dog fur has been banned in the United States, amendments made to the U.S. Fur Products Labeling Act exempt all fur products costing less than $150 from labeling requirements. This is the price range into which most fur-trimmed garments and accessories fall. This means that if you purchased a fur item which cost less than $150, and you are led to believe it is FAUX or bears some other animal name, chances are you bought cat, dog, rabbit or other animal skins on the so called budget fur category. Fur clothing that costs less than $150 does not have to be labeled in any way, even with basic information such as "real fur" or "faux fur."
This is a loophole in the Fur Products Labeling Act against which animal caring people all over the country have been working so hard to have closed. When we proudly say that dog/cat fur trade has been outlawed in this country, we are fooling ourselves since there is no way to know how much of these skins are circulating in the market, or has made it into households that didn't know what they were purchasing.
Without proper labeling, it is nearly impossible for consumers to know exactly what kind of fur they are purchasing, and even more upsetting is when people think they are buying faux fur, when it is in fact real fur.
There is no easy and accessible recourse for consumers to claim that their purchased goods were fraudulent unless they send the materials to be DNA tested in special laboratories, and pay around $500 per test. The fur industry counts on it to keep selling their offensive goods while bills to close this loophole lingers at the lawmakers' desks. Consequently, it is essentially impossible to know or prove that one has bought a cat or dog fur trimmed item, unless DNA tests are conducted. The price of a DNA test starts at $500.
Until this loophole is completely closed, one never knows how many dog and cat pelts are making it into the lives of unsuspecting citizens. Until this loophole is completely closed, one never knows how many dog and cat pelts are making it into unsuspecting citizens' lives.
