Garment Labeling 101: Part 1 | What is an RN Number and Do I Need One?

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Houman Salem

What is an RN number?

Proper garment labeling is a legal requirement intended for consumer protection.

In part 1, we explore what is an RN Number.  By law, a properly labelled garment must provide consumers with basic information about:

(1) the business or entity that made the garment (manufacture import distribute)
(2) where the garment was made (country of origin) rn number lookup clothing
(3) what items went into making the garment (fabric/fiber content)

In this 3 part series (Garment Labeling 101) we will outline all the legal requirements for proper garment labeling.

An RN Number (or Registered Identification Number) is a number that identifies the originator of the garment (`manufacturer importer) to consumers.  The RN Number helps consumers understand which business or entity put the product into the market. The manufacturer only needs one RN number for all its different products or brands and this can be easily obtained through the Federal Trade Commission by any U.S. business that operates in the apparel industry.

RN Number Needs

Do you always need an RN Number? No. If you include your full legal business name on your garment labeling, then you don’t need an RN Number.  Your full legal business name is the name that appears on your official business documents such as your Fed Tax ID, invoices, and purchase orders.  However, if you want to use a trademark, brand name, or designer name that is different than your official business name, then you must include what is an RN Number on clothes.  For example, Victoria’s Secret is owned by its parent company called L Brands, and since the L Brands name is not included on any Victoria’s Secret garment labels they must include an RN Number.  Another example is The Gap, Inc., which owns The Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.  In this example, since The Gap brand shares the same name as its official business name, it does not need what is an RN Number.  However, Banana Republic and Old Navy do require one.  Again, only one RN Number issued is required to cover multiple brands.

What is an RN Number?  RN Numbers are quick and easy to obtain, and they’re free. You can apply for one online with the FTC. Applications are usually processed in three business days. Once your application is approved, your RN Number will be added to the RN Lookup Service. (It is possible to apply by mail, but that significantly increases processing time, and the FTC discourages it.)

What if I am required to use an what is an RN number but don’t?  This is not a risk worth taking.  Any time you are required by Federal Law to take action it is highly advised that you follow the law.  An RN Number helps consumers identify you easily and gives you flexibility in how you brand your products. When in doubt, it never hurts to use one.

Why Is RN Number Important

The RN number (a seven-digit code starting with RN 99999) on the label of the garment you are making for a USA apparel brand might already be visible to you. What does this RN number mean?

Definition of RN Number: 

“RN stands for Registered Identification Number. In addition to the FTC number, businesses can use this number on product labels instead of the company name if they manufacture, import, distribute, or sell items covered by the Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts.”

It has happened to me many times in the past that I have searched the meaning of RN number on the internet but I have forgotten it every time (the reason may be that I do not represent a brand or a manufacturer of garments). In this instance, I have decided to write a blog post addressing this question. In this way, I can easily locate the meaning of it next time I forget what it means. What is an RN number can be learned more about by following the links I have provided for your reference.

The RN number can be used instead of the company name on garments

styles are assigned a single RN number by a brand or business. There is no specific apparel product associated with the RN number. It is possible for a company to use the same RN number for all of its apparel products.

The RN number allows consumers and anyone to identify the owner of a garment (Brands, manufacturers, importers, etc.) You can search the company name of an apparel product that has given RN number on the label by using the FTC RN Database. There is a frequently asked question document available on the website of the Federal Trade Commission concerning RN. The company name of the RN is The Argylehaus, which I have located by searching for it online.

Garment Labeling 101

The number of labels available can be confusing, and you can be forgiven for feeling a bit overwhelmed. Does your product relabel, a garment labeling 101, a laundry label, or perhaps a “made in” label? To assist you in selecting your label, let us demystify the different types of labels you see on garments.

Do you require a clothing label? But which ones?

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a clothing label. You may not understand what all the different labels are for, or which labels you need for your items, and that is okay. As a matter of fact, it is more than acceptable. As the term “clothing label” encompasses a range of different types of labels found in garments and textiles, let us clarify a few of your questions.

If we were to begin at the beginning, these are the things you should know. Generally, there are five different types of garment labeling on a garment, including branding, care (which includes warning labels, and What is an RN Number), content, size, and country of origin.

The purpose of this information is to provide customers (or any end-user of the product you are garment labeling) with information that will help them make the best use of the product.

Depending on your product, you may not need all of this information, or you may wish to lump some of this together onto fewer labels. Listed below are some descriptions of these different labels to help you determine which combination is most appropriate for your business.

The number of the RN and the number of the CA on clothing labels

Have you ever wondered why the RN number appears on clothing and textile goods? There is a good chance that you will see what is an RN number on the care and content label of clothing. What is An RN Number, or Registered Number, is an identification number that can be obtained from the Federal Trade Commission upon request.

Textile, wool, and fur manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers residing in the United States are eligible to receive these certificates. In spite of this, such businesses are not required to maintain a Registered Identification Number. A label or tag that must be affixed to these products may use RN instead of a name.

Tag You can use the same RN number for all different items that you may produce. A single RN number is issued by the Federal Trade Commission to each company. This means that you do not need a new RN for every style, color, and size of your clothing. The assignment of (what is an RN number?) is free and only takes a few days. Each style, color, and size of your garments requires a new RN number. There is no charge for RN numbers, and they can be obtained in a matter of minutes.

It is also possible to obtain a CA identification number in Canada. It is only possible to register for a CA Identification Number if you are a Canadian manufacturer, processor, or finisher of a textile fiber product. In addition, you must register if you are a Canadian who is engaged in the business of importing or selling any textile fiber product.

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