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As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comment on the continuing need for, as well as the benefits, costs, and impact of, the Wool Products Labeling Rules.

The Wool Products Labeling Rules require labels on wool products disclosing the manufacturer’s or marketer’s name, the country where the product was processed or manufactured, and information about the fiber content. The FTC first issued the Rules under the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939, known as the Wool Act. The agency completed its last review of the Rules in 1998 and modified the Rules in 1998 and 2000. In 2006, the Wool Act was amended by the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act, which sets the maximum average fiber diameter for certain wool products.

FTC is also seeking comment on how it should modify the Wool Rules to implement the Conforming Act. In addition, the FTC seeks comment on the costs and benefits of the Rules, and on whether it should clarify or modify certain Rule provisions and/or its business and consumer education materials.

The Commission vote approving the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was 4-0. It is available on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register soon. Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice. Comments must be received by March 26, 2012. All comments received will be posted at www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm. (FTC File No. P124201; the staff contact is Robert M. Frisby, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2098)

For more information, read Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts and Cachet of Cashmere: Complying with the Wool Products Labeling Act.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(Wool Products Labeling Rules)