IWTO’s ‘Super S Code’ becomes law in USA

UN General Assembly Resolution

Brussels/Washington, 20.01.2007

US President George Bush has signed into United States law the Wool Suit Fabric Labelling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act, which amends the Wool Products Labelling Act of 1939 by adding definitions of fine and superfine wool and of cashmere.

Mr. Karl Spilhaus, president of the US National Textile Association (NTA), said in an interview with the publication ‘Weekly Market Report’: “Consumers will benefit from these new regulations. The consumer has come to recognise that the designations Super 100’s and so forth on a garment are intended as an indicator of quality; these new regulations apply a clear, scientifically-based and internationally-recognised standard to the use of those numbers.”
Mr. Spilhaus is also president of IWTO associate member Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI) and its Superfine Wool Council, which includes premier Biella mills and is policing “Super S” labelling on suits.

Mr. Spilhaus says the new law means United States labelling requirements conform with the “Super S” Code of Practice promulgated by the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO).

He commented: “Honest manufacturers recognise the importance of following the IWTO code regarding labelling for fineness of wool and the need to protect the cachet of the designation ‘cashmere’ by using only genuine cashmere fibre.
The new regulations are aimed at the dishonest and unscrupulous manufacturers who attempt to defraud the public with mislabelled products.”

For wool products manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, the new regulations will have the force of law in the United States as an amendment to the Wool Products Labelling Act, with fines of up to US$11,000 per violation. The NTA says that US Customs and Border Protection may hold up shipments at the port if there are violations of the Act.
As well as defining fine and superfine wools using the IWTO code, the new regulations bring the legal definition of cashmere in line with standard industry practice.

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IWTO is the international body representing the interests of the world’s wool textile trade and industry. Our multi-national membership includes woolgrowers, traders, primary processors, spinners, weavers, and garment manufacturers, together with retailers and other companies involved in wool related businesses.