Start with the label, not the fabric
If you sell apparel into the EU, the fibre composition label is a legal document, not a design element. Before you approve artwork, you need to know what eu textile labelling regulation 1007 2011 requires on the physical label, which fibre names are permitted, and where the regulation stops and national rules begin. This article covers the practical points a sourcing manager needs when briefing a label supplier.
What EU 1007/2011 actually covers
The regulation governs the labelling of textile products by fibre composition. It sets the permitted fibre names, the tolerances for fibre mixtures, and the requirement that the composition be stated on the product. It applies to textile products sold to consumers in the EU, including garments, and it is separate from care labelling, which is handled differently.
Key points to brief your supplier on:
- Fibre names must come from the regulation's list. "Polyester" and "cotton" are listed names; invented trade names are not a substitute for the legal fibre name.
- The composition must be stated as a percentage, with the fibre names in descending order of weight.
- Small components can be excluded in defined cases, but the exclusion rules are narrow. If in doubt, list the fibre.
- The label must be durable and legible for the life of the garment under normal use.
- Language requirements vary by member state; the fibre information itself is harmonised, but the surrounding wording may need local language.
This regulation does not set out care instructions. Care symbols and washing instructions follow a separate European standard, and national consumer rules can add requirements. Treat fibre composition and care labelling as two separate compliance tasks on the same label.
Designing a compliant fibre label
Choose the label format around the garment
Woven labels, printed satin labels and heat transfer labels all can carry fibre composition. The choice is usually driven by garment type, wash durability and where the label sits. A neck label that rubs against skin needs soft edges; a side-seam label can be smaller and denser.
| Label type | Best for | Fibre text legibility | Durability notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven label | Neck and side seam, structured garments | High, crisp small text | Holds up to repeated washing |
| Printed satin label | Lightweight apparel, smooth necklines |
