On the 18 December 2010, the US President, Barack Obama, signed the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010, which removed the current exemption in the Fur Products Labeling Act. Under the new law, products made from fur with a manufactured selling price of US$150 or less or garments containing trim made from fur in which the cost to manufacture the fur trim was US$150 or less are now included in the labelling requirements, thus closing a loophole in the Fur Products Labeling Act. The closure of this loophole has been endorsed by various major US retailers. This legislation will be effective no more than 90 days after its enactment.
RATIONALE OF THE LEGISLATION
Some US consumers choose not to purchase products that contain natural furs on ethical basis. However, there have been concerns that some manufacturers used the loophole that had existed in the Fur Products Labeling Act to avoid labelling a fur-containing or fur trimmed product that met the former exemptions. This has resulted in consumers not being provided with accurate information prior to purchasing a product.
By introducing this amendment, it is hoped that these practices would be eliminated and thus the consumer “right-to-know” would be protected.
REQUIREMENTS
The Truth in Fur Labeling Law and The Fur Products Labelling Act require manufacturers to label fur containing products of any value. The label must be displayed prominently on a product and should contain the following information:
- Names of animals from which the fur was taken as set forth in the Fur Products Name Guide
- Whether the products consist of recycled fur or not Whether the furs have been treated, such as bleached, dyed or otherwise artificially coloured
- Whether a product consists of whole or substantial parts of paws, tails, bellies or waste fur
EXEMPTIONS
Under the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010, the following are exempted from the labelling requirements:
- Fur obtained from an animal through hunting or trapping: fur from an animal obtained from hunting or trapping when the fur is sold in a face-to-face transaction at places such as a residence, craft fair, or other locations used on temporary or short-term basis by the person who trapped or hunted the animal and that the revenue from the sale is not the primary source of income of such person.
SALE OF FUR IN THE US
Manufacturers of fur products who wish to export and sell their merchandise in the US will need to comply with these federal legislations. Those who wish to export to Delaware, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New York and New Jersey would also be required to comply with the individual state laws in addition to the federal laws.2, 3
1. The HSUS and HSLF Praise House of Representatives for Unanimously Passing Bill to Address Deception in Fur-Trimmed Fashion Industry, Humane Society of United State, access date 23/12/2010
2. Labeling as “Faux Fur” or “Real Fur” in New York State, Safeguards No 091/07 October 2007
3. New Jersey Enacts A State Fur Labeling Law, Safeguards, No 008/10 January 2010
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