Labels and the Law (UK & EU)

Which labels do you legally need when selling clothes in the UK, and how do the rules differ for EU customers? Start by separating fibre-content information, washing advice and product-safety requirements.

This guide covers the main points for clothing brands and makers. Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a different framework for some requirements, so check the rules for each market you supply.

Guidance checked on 3 November 2026. This is general information, not a complete compliance assessment for an individual garment. Use the official sources below and seek Trading Standards or specialist advice where needed.

What is legally required on a clothing label?

For most ordinary clothing covered by textile legislation, fibre composition is a core requirement. Use the approved fibre names and provide accurate information about the materials used. There are exemptions and special rules for particular products.

Fibre content is only part of the picture. Check relevant safety warnings, traceability information and the requirements of the market where the garment will be sold. A brand label or size tab does not replace this information.

Start with GOV.UK's textile-labelling guidance for Great Britain.

Is it illegal to sell clothes without care labels?

A missing wash-care label is different from missing mandatory fibre-content information. The textile fibre-composition rules do not impose a general requirement for washing instructions on every garment. However, safety information or instructions can be required under other rules, and requirements can differ by product and destination.

For example, nightwear treated with flame-retardant chemicals has specific care-labelling requirements in Great Britain. Avoid treating a general statement about voluntary care labels as permission to omit product-specific information.

As practical advice, we recommend clear care instructions based on the finished garment, including its fabric, trims and decoration. This helps customers choose suitable washing, drying and ironing methods.

Example woven wash care label

Fibre content and composition requirements

Generally, list the textile fibres with their percentages in decreasing order, using permitted fibre names. For example, a verified blend could be shown as 80% cotton, 20% polyester. Obtain reliable composition information from your supplier rather than estimating it.

Garments with components of different compositions, such as an outer fabric and lining, may need separate declarations. Check the detailed rules and exceptions for your product.

Use descriptions such as “100%”, “pure” or “all” only when the relevant legal conditions are met. Do not treat manufacturing tolerances as permission to make an inaccurate claim.

Textile products containing non-textile parts of animal origin, such as leather or fur, need the prescribed wording “Contains non-textile parts of animal origin” where the rules apply.

Labelling must be durable, readable, visible and accessible; a label must be securely attached. Sewing is a practical method, but it is not the only possible method of compliant labelling or marking. Packaging-only and inclusive-labelling arrangements are subject to specific conditions.

For online sales, make the required fibre-content information available before purchase. Read the Trading Standards guidance on labelling textiles and the EU textile-label requirements.

Do clothing labels need a country of origin?

The textile fibre-composition rules do not themselves impose a general country-of-origin label for every garment. Other requirements can depend on the product and market.

Any origin information you provide must be accurate. Consider the overall impression created by flags, place names and wording such as “Made in Britain”. Read GOV.UK's rules on misleading product labels.

Are size labels legally required?

The textile fibre-composition rules do not create a general size-labelling requirement. Clear, accurate sizing remains useful for customers. Provide measurements or a size guide that reflects your own garments, and avoid misleading descriptions.

Nightwear, flammability and fire warnings

Nightwear needs a separate safety check. In Great Britain, some children's nightwear must meet specific flammability requirements. Other categories have prescribed labelling, and flame-retardant treatments can require additional instructions.

A red “KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE” warning is not a universal substitute for required flammability performance. The correct approach depends on the garment's category and applicable requirements, including general product safety.

Before supplying nightwear, check the current Trading Standards guidance on new nightwear. Check destination-specific requirements for other markets.

Which languages should clothing labels use?

For Great Britain, textile-labelling information must be in English. For EU sales, check the official language or languages required in the country where the product is made available, including any national exceptions. Do not assume one English label will cover every destination.

Keep fibre-composition information clearly distinguishable from other label information. Care symbols do not replace written fibre names and percentages.

Great Britain, Northern Ireland and EU sales

Check each destination separately rather than relying on predictions made immediately after Brexit.

Great Britain: follow the applicable textile rules and the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Producers must provide relevant safety information and, where reasonable, identify the producer's name and address and the product reference or batch on the product or packaging.
Northern Ireland: check the EU-aligned textile framework and applicable product-safety requirements. EU Regulation 2023/988 on general product safety has applied from 13 December 2024, with transitional arrangements for qualifying earlier products.
EU: check textile composition, destination-language requirements and applicable product-safety rules. For products covered by the EU General Product Safety Regulation, a responsible economic operator must be established in the EU or Northern Ireland. Confirm the contact, traceability and other requirements for your supply arrangements.

Use the official guidance below before deciding what to print. A correct fibre label alone does not establish that a product meets every safety requirement.

Before ordering your clothing labels

Confirm the garment's fibre composition and any separate components.
Check its sales destinations and product-specific safety requirements.
Verify care instructions for the finished garment.
Check wording, percentages, translations and any required contact details.
Approve a readable layout and suitable attachment method.

Once you have confirmed the information your garments need, explore our personalised wash care labels or contact GB Labels for help with label layout and production.