Country Of Origin Labeling
Country of origin labeling is a label that indicates which country a fabric, garment, or other item is deemed to originate from according to established standards. It is not a certification itself, but information used to convey origin to business partners and consumers.
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Definition and Positioning
Country of origin labeling is information that indicates which country a product is deemed to originate from. It is handled separately from labeling that simply lists the locations of each process, such as the production country of the material, the country where weaving or knitting was done, the country where dyeing and finishing were done, and the country where sewing was done.
Country of origin labeling is not a certification that guarantees quality or environmental consideration. Its purpose is also different from labels that use certification marks or the names of specific production areas, and it is managed as labeling and trade information to convey a product’s origin without misunderstanding.
Applicable Items and How Country of Origin Is Determined
The determination of country of origin varies depending on whether the item is textile or apparel, as well as the country or region of sale. In general, processes that cause a substantial change in the product’s nature are given more weight in the determination than simple inspection, cutting, or packaging.
For example, in apparel, the country where sewing is done may be treated as the country of origin, but this is not always the case. For textiles as well, the country of raw material harvesting, spinning, weaving or knitting, and dyeing and finishing may not all be the same, so confirmation according to the intended use is necessary.
- Origin of the raw material or fiber
- Country where spinning, weaving or knitting, and dyeing and finishing were performed
- Country where cutting, sewing, and product processing were performed
- Labeling rules in the sales destination and customs origin determination
Confirmation in Textile Procurement and Product Manufacturing
When procuring textiles, do not judge based only on the country of origin shown on the product page; confirm it using the specifications sheet, quotation, and standard sheet at the time of ordering. Because the country of origin may change due to changes in the production process, it is easier to manage ongoing production items if you agree on a lot-by-lot confirmation method with your trading partner.
When turning materials into products, organize the country of origin of the outer fabric, lining, interlining, and accessories separately from the country of origin to be shown for the final product. Share the sales country, import/export format, and the person responsible for labeling at an early stage, and arrange for labels and hang tags only after the label content has been finalized.
Points to Note About Labeling and Certificates
The country of origin indicated by the supplier is based on the production information at that time. Keep any documents received as the basis for labeling in a form that makes it clear which item number, color, lot, issue date, and process were confirmed. Oral explanations alone make it difficult to trace later when confirmation is needed in downstream processes or by the sales destination.
A certificate of origin may refer to a document used for customs clearance or preferential tariff application. It is not necessarily the same as the document that supports the country of origin shown on a product label, so the required format, issuer, and validity should be confirmed individually according to the system of the export or import destination.
Differences From Similar Terms
Care tag is a label that communicates fiber composition, care instructions, and similar information to consumers, and its content differs from country of origin labeling. Fiber blend ratio is an item within the care tag that indicates the proportion of fibers used. Country of origin alone cannot explain material composition or care instructions.
The production area of textiles may refer to a name for an industrial cluster or production center, and it does not always match the country of origin under laws or customs rules. When using a production area name for promotion, confirm separately the conditions for using that name and the basis for country of origin labeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the country of origin for textiles and the country of origin for apparel after sewing the same?
Not necessarily. The country of origin for textiles is confirmed based on the production process as textile, and the country of origin for apparel is determined by also considering the processes applied to the final product. If the countries for the raw material, textile, and sewing are different, manage each piece of information and the final labeling separately.
Can the supplier’s country of origin information be used as is on a hang tag?
Not necessarily. Confirm whether the textile information corresponds to the latest lot and whether it does not conflict with the country of origin determination after product conversion. Because the labeling rules of the sales destination are also relevant, clarify the item, country of sale, and labeling medium, and compare them with the supporting documents.
Is a certificate always required for country of origin labeling?
The required documents vary depending on the sales format, whether the shipment is import or export, the country or region of the sales destination, and the contract with the trading partner. A certificate of origin may be required in some cases, but it is not necessarily the same as the supporting documents needed for general product labeling. Confirm the required documents in advance.
