Textile products sold to consumers in the European Union must generally carry accurate fibre-composition information under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011. For importers buying bedding, quilts, towels, curtains, cushion covers, blankets and other home textiles from India, the label should be planned as part of product development rather than added after bulk production.

The regulation covers textile products composed of at least 80% textile fibres by weight, including certain textile components incorporated into other products. Product scope, exceptions and special cases should be checked against the legal text for the specific item. This guide is an operational overview, not a substitute for a product-specific legal review.

1. Use permitted fibre names and accurate percentages

The fibre composition must use the textile fibre names permitted under the regulation. Fibres are generally listed in descending order by percentage of weight. A fibre name should not be replaced with a marketing description or a supplier’s informal material name. Where the product uses a blend, the percentages should be based on the textile-fibre composition and calculated using the applicable rules.

Terms such as “100%”, “pure” or “all” can be used only where the product is composed exclusively of one fibre type, subject to the regulation’s rules and tolerances. Do not approve “100% cotton” artwork on the basis of a supplier’s verbal assurance. Obtain the material specification and suitable evidence, and make sure the finished product matches the declared composition.

2. Review products with multiple textile components

Some made-up home textiles contain different fibre compositions in separate components. A filled quilt, for example, may use a cotton shell and a polyester filling. The buyer should define shell, filling and other relevant textile components separately, then determine how the applicable rules require the fibre information to be displayed. Similar care may be needed for cushion covers with linings, textile-backed products and items incorporating non-textile parts.

Where a non-textile part of animal origin is present in a textile product within the regulation’s scope, the required indication must also be considered. Do not assume that a generic composition label covers all product-specific disclosure obligations.

3. Attach the label and make it legible

For consumer sales, the fibre-composition label or marking must be firmly attached or otherwise provided in the manner allowed by the regulation, and must be clear and legible. The fibre information should be distinguishable from other information such as care instructions, brand names and marketing claims. The online product description must also present accurate fibre information before purchase where required.

4. Translate the information for each sales market

When a textile product is made available to consumers in an EU Member State, the label information must be translated into the official language or languages required by that country. A product sold in Germany and France therefore needs the relevant German and French fibre names. For a multi-country distribution programme, maintain a market-by-market artwork matrix rather than assume one English label will work throughout the EU.

5. Understand B2B and importer responsibilities

For business-to-business transactions, fibre information may be handled through commercial documents as allowed by the regulation. However, products intended for end consumers need the required information when offered at retail. Where the manufacturer is not established in the EU, the importer has responsibilities for ensuring that the label or marking is supplied and that the information is accurate. A distributor can also take on manufacturer-like responsibilities in specified situations, such as selling a product under its own name or changing the label.

6. Build a fibre-label approval workflow

Obtain fibre composition by product component from the factory and material suppliers.
Check permitted fibre names and calculate percentages using applicable rules.
Review multi-component products, animal-origin parts and any special exceptions.
Prepare required language variants for each country of sale.
Match label data to the approved bill of materials and test or supplier evidence.
Approve artwork before bulk printing and retain the final version by SKU.
Reapprove the label if material composition or construction changes.

How Vanguard Sourcing can support label coordination

Within an agreed scope, Vanguard Sourcing can request fibre breakdowns from suppliers, coordinate label artwork and sample approvals, follow material changes and maintain product records. The importer remains responsible for confirming the legal label wording, translations and market requirements with qualified advisers before the goods are placed on the EU market.

Official EU references

Continue exploring Vanguard Sourcing resources: visit the International Buyer Sourcing Resources hub, the International Sourcing Knowledge Centre or the India Sourcing Buyer Toolkit.

EU Textile Labelling Rules for Bedding, Towels and Home Textiles