Under the Fur Products Labeling Act, fur products (i.e., garments made either entirely or partly of fur) must have a label disclosing:

(1) the animal name according to the Federal Trade Commission's Fur Products Name Guide;

* It is illegal to label a fur with the name of any animal other than the animal that produced the fur, and to use coined or fictitious animal names. If the animal came from a particular country, the adjective form of the country name may, but does not have to, precede the animal name. For example: "Russian Mink."

(2) the name or Registered Identification Number of the manufacturer, importer or other seller, marketer, or distributor of the fur;

(3) the country of origin for imported fur products (including the country of origin for imported furs made into fur products in the U.S.);

* Even if the adjective form of the country name is used with the animal name, the country of origin must be stated separately, preceded by the words "Fur Origin." For example: "Fur Origin: Russia."

* The country of origin of the garment made from fur may be different than the country of origin of the fur itself. Imported garments must be marked in accordance with the federal marking statute, which is enforced by the U.S. Customs Service.

* Domestic fur products may be labeled to show origin, but the law does not require it. Domestic furs also may be labeled to show the particular state or part of the country they came from. A name that connotes a false geographic origin cannot be used, and domestic furs cannot be labeled or advertised in a way that implies they are imported. If the name of the animal, as listed in the Fur Products Name Guide, includes a geographic designation, but the animal was raised or taken in the U.S., the origin should be stated to prevent possible deception. For example: "Mexican Raccoon; Fur Origin: U.S."

(4) whether the fur is pointed, dyed, bleached, or artificially colored;

* If these treatments do not apply, the fur should be labeled "natural."

(5) whether the fur product is composed in whole or substantial part (more than 10 percent of surface area) of pieces, such as paws, tails, bellies, sides, flanks, gills, ears, throats, heads, scraps, or waste fur;

(6) whether the fur is used or damaged; and

(7) the textile or wool content of the product, as well as the country of origin and manufacturer or dealer identity of the textile or wool component.

* For example, on a wool coat with fur trim, the label must disclose the wool content as required by the federal Wool Products Labeling Act and its accompanying rules.

* The content of a fur coat lining must be disclosed if the lining provides added warmth. If the lining serves only a structural purpose, its fiber content does not have to be disclosed. If the lining contains any wool, the fiber content must be disclosed.

Record keeping Requirement

Manufacturers and dealers of fur products must keep records showing the required information for at least three years.

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