What Compliance is Required for Exporting Adult Clothing to the US?

Exporting adult clothing to the US market is a key business expansion opportunity for many companies. Throughout this process, compliance with local market regulations is a prerequisite for entry. In this article, JJR LAB clearly explains the regulations regarding the export of adult apparel to the United States for 2026–2027.

Who Regulates Your Products?

Adult clothing exported to the US is subject to dual regulation:

CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission): Oversees product safety (flammability, hazardous chemical substances).

FTC (Federal Trade Commission): Oversees labeling authenticity and advertising (fiber content labeling, care labeling).

Testing Requirements for Adult Apparel

Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA) – 16 CFR Part 1610 Flammability Testing

The Flammable Fabrics Act has been in effect since 1953, with the primary objective of preventing garments from burning too rapidly and causing burn injuries. The corresponding standard is 16 CFR Part 1610, which applies mainly to wearing apparel (excluding hats, gloves, and footwear) and classifies the flammability performance of wearing apparel textiles into three classes:

Class 1 (Normal Flammability): Refers to plain surface fabrics with a flame spread time of 3.5s when tested by the prescribed method, or raised fiber surface fabrics with a flame spread time of 7s. Textiles in this class are suitable for apparel.

Class 2 (Intermediate Flammability): Refers to raised fiber surface fabrics with a flame spread time of 4to7s when tested by the prescribed method. Textiles in this class may also be used for clothing, but with caution.

Class 3 (Rapid and Intense Burning): Refers to raised fiber surface fabrics with a flame spread time of <4s when tested by the prescribed method. Textiles in this class are not suitable for clothing and are prohibited from import into the US.

However, if a fabric meets specific exemption conditions, it can be exempted from flammability testing. Key exemption conditions (meeting any single condition is sufficient):

1.Material Exemption: Fabrics made entirely of one or more of the following fibers (or blends thereof): acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, or wool.

2.Fabric Weight Exemption: Plain surface fabrics with a fabric weight of 2.6 oz/sq yd (approx. 88 g/m²) or greater.

Labeling Regulations

Fiber Content Labeling (16 CFR Part 303) & Textile Care Labeling (16 CFR Part 423)

Many sellers fail due to improper labeling; what seems like a minor detail is actually a primary focus of strict FTC enforcement.

Fiber content labels must include the following 4 pieces of information:

1.Generic names and weight percentages of all fiber components (excluding trim)

2.Maximum weight percentages of non-fiber weighting, filling, or additive components

3.Country of origin of the product

4.Name of the manufacturer, or the Registered Identification Number (RN) issued by the FTC

Textile care labels must meet the following requirements:

1.The label must be permanently affixed in a location clearly visible to consumers; if the label cannot be seen after the garment is folded and packaged, care information must also be printed on the outside of the packaging.

2.Regular washing or dry cleaning methods must be clearly specified.

3.If both washing and dry cleaning would damage the garment, it must be explicitly labeled "Do Not Wash – Do Not Dry Clean" or "Cannot Be Successfully Cleaned."

Lead Content in Surface Coatings (16 CFR Part 1303)

If apparel products sold to the US utilize screen printing or prints on the textiles, the finished garments must be tested for total lead content in accordance with the 16 CFR Part 1303 standard. Ordinary undyed or dyed textiles with a lead content of less than 100 ppm are generally exempt.

California Proposition 65 (CA Prop 65)

If your products are to be sold in California, you must also pay attention to California's control of chemical substances. Whenever the content of regulated chemicals in the product exceeds the "safe harbor levels," a clear and reasonable warning label must be affixed to the product; otherwise, high monetary penalties may be incurred.

Key substances to monitor: Heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, phthalates (plasticizers), formaldehyde, as well as certain flame retardants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)

In addition to meeting the above standards, you must also issue a GCC (General Certificate of Conformity). This serves as the "passport" proving that your product complies with all applicable CPSC safety rules. According to new regulations taking effect on July 8, goods cannot clear customs without it.

A compliant GCC must contain the following core information:

1.Detailed identification of the product

2.Title and number of each applicable CPSC safety regulation to which the product is certified

3.Manufacturer/Importer information (name, address, contact details)

4.Contact details of the individual maintaining records of test results

5.Date and location of manufacture

6.Date and location of testing

7.Testing laboratory information

As a testing laboratory officially recognized by the CPSC, JJR LAB is fully prepared to assist you with product testing, certificate preparation, and compliance consulting, ensuring your products smoothly enter the US market.