President Signs Bill to Require Labeling for Most Apparel with Fur
On December 18, 2010, the President signed into law H.R. 2480, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010, which will require most apparel with fur to be labeled (Public Law 111-313).
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P.L. 111-313’s provisions include the following:
Authority for Low Value Exemption to be Removed
The definition of fur product (e.g. apparel) in 15 USC 69(d) will be amended to remove the Federal Trade Commission's authority to set a de minimis value exemption from federal fur labeling requirements. As a result, all fur apparel articles will be required to have a label (except for certain non-retail items, see below), not just apparel articles with fur valued over the $150 de minimis amount set by the FTC.
This change takes effect 90 days after the date of enactment (i.e., approximately March 18, 2011).
(Current federal law requires fur products (e.g. apparel) be labeled with the names of any animals used, the country of origin, and other specified information, subject to the FTC's de minimis exemption, which was not made available for imported dog or cat fur.)
Discrete Sales by Non-Retailers to be Excepted
The bill also amends 15 USC 69a to state that the Fur Products Labeling Act shall not apply to a fur product if the fur of which was obtained from an animal through trapping or hunting; and when sold in a face to face transaction at a place such as a residence, craft fair, or other location used on a temporary or short term basis, by the person who trapped or hunted the animal, where the revenue from the sale of apparel or fur products is not the primary source of income of such person.
FTC Review of Fur Products Name Guide
The bill will require the Federal Trade Commission to publish in the Federal Register notice of, and an opportunity to comment on, a review of the Fur Products Name Guide (16 CFR. 301.0) within 90 days of the enactment (i.e., approximately March 18, 2011).
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 12/09/10 news, 10120852, for BP summary of the Senate’s passage of H.R. 2480, which sent the bill to the President.)