New Zealand · Textiles

New Zealand Textile Labelling

A practical guide to New Zealand Textile Labelling for textiles sold in New Zealand: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Brands and importers of apparel, home textiles, and accessories; Online sellers shipping textiles to consumers in New Zealand

Authority

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Legal basis

Fair Trading Act 1986

Local representative

The importer or brand owner in market is responsible

Timeline

Before sale

Cost

Testing dominates; labelling is low cost

If you do not comply

Fines and product withdrawal

Who needs this

Brands and importers of apparel, home textiles, and accessories
Online sellers shipping textiles to consumers in New Zealand

Documents you need

Fibre composition test reports
Care and origin labelling artwork
Restricted substance test reports
Supplier declarations

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Fibre composition test reports
Care and origin labelling artwork
Restricted substance test reports
Supplier declarations

How to comply

Verify fibre composition
Test for restricted substances where required
Prepare local-language care and content labels
Keep test reports for the retention period

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: New Zealand Textile Labelling — New Zealand
Product category: Textiles
Authority: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Legal basis: Fair Trading Act 1986

Documents we already have:
  1. Fibre composition test reports
  2. Care and origin labelling artwork
  3. Restricted substance test reports
  4. Supplier declarations

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under New Zealand Textile Labelling in New Zealand?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before sale.

Testing dominates; labelling is low cost.

Common rejection reasons

Fibre percentages inaccurate
Care label missing
Origin labelling incorrect
Restricted dye or chemical detected

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.

Official sources

FAQ

Who needs New Zealand Textile Labelling in New Zealand?

Brands and importers of apparel, home textiles, and accessories. Online sellers shipping textiles to consumers in New Zealand. The importer of record normally holds the evidence.

What documents do I need for New Zealand Textile Labelling?

Fibre composition test reports; Care and origin labelling artwork; Restricted substance test reports; and supplier declarations.

What is the first step for New Zealand Textile Labelling?

Verify fibre composition, then test for restricted substances where required. Before sale.

How long does New Zealand Textile Labelling take?

Before sale.

How much does New Zealand Textile Labelling cost?

Testing dominates; labelling is low cost.

What happens if I sell without it?

Fines and product withdrawal.

Who regulates New Zealand Textile Labelling in New Zealand?

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.