49–006 

109TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 109–644 

WOOL SUIT FABRIC LABELING FAIRNESS AND 

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS CONFORMING ACT 

SEPTEMBER 8, 2006.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 

of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. BARTON of Texas, from the Committee on Energy and 

Commerce, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 4583] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred 

the bill (H.R. 4583) to amend the Wool Products Labeling Act of 

1939 to revise the requirements for labeling of certain wool and 

cashmere products, having considered the same, report favorably 

thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as 

amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Amendment .............................................................................................................. 1 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 2 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 3 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 3 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 3 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 4 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 4 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 4 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 4 

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 4 

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 4 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 5 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 5 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 5 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 5 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 5 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 6 

AMENDMENT

The amendment is as follows: 


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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act’’. 

SEC. 2. LABELING OF WOOL AND CASHMERE PRODUCTS TO FACILITATE COMPLIANCE AND 

PROTECT CONSUMERS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4(a) of the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 (15 

U.S.C. 68b(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ‘‘(5) In the case of a wool product stamped, tagged, labeled, or otherwise identified as— ‘‘(A) ‘Super 80’s’ or ‘80’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 19.5 microns or finer; ‘‘(B) ‘Super 90’s’ or ‘90’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 19.0 microns or finer; ‘‘(C) ‘Super 100’s’ or ‘100’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 18.5 microns or finer; ‘‘(D) ‘Super 110’s’ or ‘110’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 18.0 microns or finer; ‘‘(E) ‘Super 120’s’ or ‘120’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 17.5 microns or finer; ‘‘(F) ‘Super 130’s’ or ‘130’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 17.0 microns or finer; ‘‘(G) ‘Super 140’s’ or ‘140’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 16.5 microns or finer; ‘‘(H) ‘Super 150’s’ or ‘150’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 16.0 microns or finer; ‘‘(I) ‘Super 160’s’ or ‘160’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 15.5 microns or finer; ‘‘(J) ‘Super 170’s’ or ‘170’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 15.0 microns or finer; ‘‘(K) ‘Super 180’s’ or ‘180’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 14.5 microns or finer; ‘‘(L) ‘Super 190’s’ or ‘190’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 14.0 microns or finer; ‘‘(M) ‘Super 200’s’ or ‘200’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 13.5 microns or finer; ‘‘(N) ‘Super 210’s’ or ‘210’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 13.0 microns or finer; ‘‘(O) ‘Super 220’s’ or ‘220’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 12.5 microns or finer; ‘‘(P) ‘Super 230’s’ or ‘230’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 12.0 microns or finer; ‘‘(Q) ‘Super 240’s’ or ‘240’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 11.5 microns or finer; and ‘‘(R) ‘Super 250’s’ or ‘250’s’, if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool 

product does not average 11.0 microns or finer. 

In each such case, the average fiber diameter of such wool product may be subject 

to such standards or deviations as adopted by regulation by the Commission. ‘‘(6) In the case of a wool product stamped, tagged, labeled, or otherwise identified 

as cashmere, if— ‘‘(A) such wool product is not the fine (dehaired) undercoat fibers produced by 

a cashmere goat (capra hircus laniger); 

‘‘(B) the average diameter of the fiber of such wool product exceeds 19 microns; or 

‘‘(C) such wool product contains more than 3 percent (by weight) of cashmere 

fibers with average diameters that exceed 30 microns. 

The average fiber diameter may be subject to a coefficient of variation around the 

mean that shall not exceed 24 percent.’’. 

(b) APPLICABILITY DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to 

wool products manufactured on or after January 1, 2007. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

The purpose of H.R. 4583, the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act, is to amend the 

Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to revise the labeling requirements for certain wool and cashmere products. The bill will protect 


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consumers and industry participants from deceptively labeled or 

mislabeled wool or cashmere products by establishing a legal 

standard for labeling superfine wool and cashmere products based 

on internationally accepted standards. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 requires that most textiles or wool products include a permanent tag conveying three 

pieces of information to the consumer: the fiber content, the country of origin, and the name of the manufacturer or other business 

responsible for product distribution. 

Wool products are subject to specific additional requirements beyond other textile products. While most fibers must be identified 

only when they meet or exceed 5 percent of product weight, products that contain any amount of wool must be labeled. Wool products must always be labeled by name and percentage of weight, regardless of percentage weight. 

The Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 defines ‘‘wool’’ as fibers 

made from sheep or lamb fleece or from the hair of an Angora or 

cashmere goat. Fibers made from camel, alpaca, llama, and vicuna 

may also be considered wool. The Wool Products Labeling Act of 

1939 requires only that these fibers be identified on textile labels 

as ‘‘wool,’’ although they may also be identified as specialty fibers 

(mohair, cashmere, camel, alpaca, llama, vicuna). 

Many wool products are now labeled as ‘‘Super 80s,’’ ‘‘Super 90s,’’ ‘‘Super 100s,’’ or such designation through ‘‘Super 250s.’’ These 

super grades identify the fineness of wool fibers. The higher the 

number, the finer the yarn, and, consequently, the higher the cost. 

Despite the common use of these labeling designations, the Wool 

Labeling Act of 1939 has not been amended to reflect the current 

marketing practice of using ‘‘super’’ terms as an identifier of quality wool products. 

In 2000, the International Wool Trade Organization (IWTO), an 

organization representing the interests of the worldwide textile industry including the United States, adopted definitions and a code 

of practice regarding the use of superfine designations on wool 

products. The definitions codify the exact diameters that each level 

of ‘‘super’’ designations should contain. H.R. 4583 would amend the 

Wool Labeling Act of 1939 to include the definition of superfine 

wool designations adopted by the IWTO. 

In addition to establishing legal standards for superfine wool designations, H.R. 4583 also amends the Wool Labeling Act of 1939 to 

include a specific definition of cashmere in order to protect the consumer from deceptively labeled textiles. 

HEARINGS

The Committee on Energy and Commerce has not held hearings 

on the legislation. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On Wednesday, July 26, 2006, the Committee on Energy and 

Commerce met in open markup session and ordered H.R. 4583 reported favorably to the House, amended, by a voice vote, a quorum 

being present. 


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COMMITTEE VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes on the motion 

to report legislation and amendments thereto. There were no 

record votes taken in connection with ordering H.R. 4583 reported. 

A motion by Mr. Barton to order H.R. 4583 reported to the House, 

amended, was agreed to by a voice vote. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee has not held oversight or legislative hearings on this legislation. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of H.R. 4583 is to protect consumers and industry participants from deceptively labeled or mislabeled wool or cashmere 

products. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R. 4583, the 

Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards 

Conforming Act, would result in no new or increased budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by 

the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate provided by 

the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, August 24, 2006. 

Hon. JOE BARTON, 

Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4583, the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Susan Willie. 

Sincerely, 

ROBERT P. MURPHY. 

(Donald B. Marron, Acting Director). 

Enclosure. 


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H.R. 4583—Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International 

Standards Conforming Act 

H.R. 4583 would amend the Wool Products Labeling Act to define 

certain grades of wool that are used to identify the quality of wool 

fabrics. The bill also would define the standards for labeling cashmere fabrics. Based on information from the Federal Trade Commission, CBO estimates that the cost of enforcing these new labeling requirements would be less than $500,000 a year, assuming the 

availability of appropriated funds. Enacting H.R. 4583 would not 

affect direct spending or revenues. 

H.R. 4583 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would 

not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Susan Willie. This estimate was approved by Jeffrey M. Holland, Chief, Projections 

Unit. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 

pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this legislation. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee finds that the Constitutional authority for this legislation is provided in Article I, section 8, clause 

3, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, and with the Indian tribes. 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Short title 

Section 1 designates the title of the bill as the ‘‘Wool Suit Fabric 

Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act.’’

Section 2. Labeling of wool and cashmere products to facilitate compliance and protect consumers 

Section 2 amends Section 4(a) of the Wool Products Labeling Act 

of 1939 by adding two new subparagraphs; (5) and (6). Subparagraph (5) adds a new definition of misbranding by establishing 

fiber diameter requirements for superfine wool designations ‘‘Super 

80s’’ or ‘‘80s’’ through ‘‘Super 250s’’ or ‘‘250s.’’ The fiber diameter 

requirements range from an average of 19.5 microns or less to an 


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average of 11.0 microns or less, depending on the specific superfine 

designation. Subparagraph (6) adds a new definition of misbranding by establishing which fibers may be considered cashmere, 

fiber diameter requirements for cashmere products, and a maximum percentage of fibers that may be used in cashmere products 

which exceed a certain diameter. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italic 

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

SECTION 4 OF THE WOOL PRODUCTS LABELING ACT OF 

1939 

MISBRANDED WOOL PRODUCTS

SEC. 4. (a) A wool product shall be misbranded—

(1) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(5) In the case of a wool product stamped, tagged, labeled, or otherwise identified as—

(A) ‘‘Super 80’s’’ or ‘‘80’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 19.5 microns or 

finer; 

(B) ‘‘Super 90’s’’ or ‘‘90’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 19.0 microns or 

finer; 

(C) ‘‘Super 100’s’’ or ‘‘100’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 18.5 microns or 

finer; 

(D) ‘‘Super 110’s’’ or ‘‘110’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 18.0 microns or 

finer; 

(E) ‘‘Super 120’s’’ or ‘‘120’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 17.5 microns or 

finer; 

(F) ‘‘Super 130’s’’ or ‘‘130’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 17.0 microns or 

finer; 

(G) ‘‘Super 140’s’’ or ‘‘140’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 16.5 microns or 

finer; 

(H) ‘‘Super 150’s’’ or ‘‘150’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 16.0 microns or 

finer; 

(I) ‘‘Super 160’s’’ or ‘‘160’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 15.5 microns or 

finer; 

(J) ‘‘Super 170’s’’ or ‘‘170’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 15.0 microns or 

finer; 


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(K) ‘‘Super 180’s’’ or ‘‘180’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 14.5 microns or 

finer; 

(L) ‘‘Super 190’s’’ or ‘‘190’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 14.0 microns or 

finer; 

(M) ‘‘Super 200’s’’ or ‘‘200’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 13.5 microns or 

finer; 

(N) ‘‘Super 210’s’’ or ‘‘210’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 13.0 microns or 

finer; 

(O) ‘‘Super 220’s’’ or ‘‘220’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 12.5 microns or 

finer; 

(P) ‘‘Super 230’s’’ or ‘‘230’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 12.0 microns or 

finer; 

(Q) ‘‘Super 240’s’’ or ‘‘240’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 11.5 microns or 

finer; and 

(R) ‘‘Super 250’s’’ or ‘‘250’s’’, if the average diameter of wool 

fiber of such wool product does not average 11.0 microns or 

finer. 

In each such case, the average fiber diameter of such wool product 

may be subject to such standards or deviations as adopted by regulation by the Commission. 

(6) In the case of a wool product stamped, tagged, labeled, or otherwise identified as cashmere, if— (A) such wool product is not the fine (dehaired) undercoat fibers produced by a cashmere goat (capra hircus laniger); 

(B) the average diameter of the fiber of such wool product exceeds 19 microns; or 

(C) such wool product contains more than 3 percent (by 

weight) of cashmere fibers with average diameters that exceed 

30 microns. 

The average fiber diameter may be subject to a coefficient of variation around the mean that shall not exceed 24 percent. 

* * * * * * * 

Æ 


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