Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Regulation 1007/2011 is the European legislation that defines how the fibre composition of textile products sold in the EU must be indicated. It requires a label or marking showing the fibre content in percentages, using only official fibre names, in the language of the country where the product is sold. The regulation does not require care symbols, size, or country of origin on the label.
What is Regulation 1007/2011
The full title is Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on fibre names and related labelling and marking of the fibre composition of textile products. It replaced several older directives and has been in force since 8 May 2012. As a regulation, it applies directly in all member states without needing national legislation.
Which products are covered
- Textile products – raw materials, semi-finished and finished articles made entirely of textile fibres.
- Products containing at least 80% textile fibres by weight.
- Upholstery fabrics for furniture, umbrellas and awnings, if the textile part is at least 80%.
- Textile components of multilayer floor coverings, mattresses and camping articles under certain conditions.
- Textiles incorporated in other products when their composition is declared.
The regulation does not apply to products given to home workers or independent processors without transfer of ownership, nor to made-to-measure garments by independent tailors. Annex V lists products exempt from mandatory labelling.
Main requirements of Regulation 1007/2011
1. Only official fibre names
The composition must be described using the names from Annex I – for example cotton, wool, polyester, viscose, elastane. No other names are allowed, neither as main description nor combined with official names. A trademark may appear immediately before or after the official name.
2. Percentages by weight
Fibres must be indicated by their percentage of net weight, in descending order. Only products made entirely of one fibre may use “100%”, “pure” or “entirely”. The regulation allows certain tolerances for small deviations between declared and actual composition.
3. Label or marking
The product must be labelled or marked when placed on the market. The label must be durable, easily readable, visible and accessible; if separate, it must be securely attached. Therefore, composition is usually on a sewn-in textile label, not a detachable paper label.
4. Language
The label must be in the official language(s) of the member state where the product is supplied to the consumer, unless otherwise provided. For the Bulgarian market, this means composition in Bulgarian.
5. Abbreviations are not allowed
Abbreviations such as “PES” or “CO” for fibre names are not permitted on the label, except in certain cases in commercial documents where abbreviations are explained. Full fibre names must be written on consumer labels.
6. Uniform font
Names and percentages must be written in the same size, style and font and be clearly visible. For example, “5% cotton” cannot be in large font while “95% polyester” is in small font.
Special cases
- Multi-component products – if the product consists of two or more parts with different composition (face, lining, filling), the composition must be indicated for each part. Parts under 30% of total weight may be omitted, except main linings.
- Non-textile parts of animal origin – leather, hair, bone and similar parts require the phrase “Contains non-textile parts of animal origin”.
- Corset products – composition is given by parts as described in Annex IV.
- Sets – two or more textile products with the same composition sold as a set may have one label.
- “New wool” – the term is used only under certain conditions for wool that has not been reprocessed.
Who is responsible for the label
The manufacturer placing the product on the EU market guarantees the presence and accuracy of the label. If the manufacturer is not established in the EU, the importer is responsible. A distributor is considered a manufacturer if placing the product under their own name or trademark, applying the label themselves or modifying its content. Everyone in the supply chain must ensure composition information is available at sale.
What Regulation 1007/2011 does not require
| Information | Requirement by regulation | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre composition | Mandatory | On a sewn-in composition label |
| Care symbols | Not required | Established voluntary practice under ISO 3758 |
| Size | Not required | Provided by the brand |
| Country of origin | Not required | Voluntary in the EU, mandatory for some external markets |
| Manufacturer name and address | Not under this regulation | Required by general product safety rules |
Regulation and composite labels
In practice, requirements are met with a composite label sewn into the product, showing composition in all required languages and care symbols once. The material must withstand washing so the text remains legible. Satin and taffeta with heat transfer printing are common choices; other textile labels are used for some products. The full range is in the labels category.
The regulation is periodically reviewed and the EU is discussing changes related to digital labelling and sustainability. Before launching a new collection, it is wise to check the current consolidated version in the official EU law register.
Polkom – labels compliant with EU requirements
Polkom is a manufacturer of labels and accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags based in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We assist with composition and language setup and print composite labels with your logo, providing samples before production and delivery across the EU. Send your inquiry via the Contacts page.
