A garments have a look at the RN database: Q&A with FTC workers
It’s not a lot larger than a postage stamp, however the label on many textile, wool, and fur merchandise supplies essential info, together with fiber content material, nation of origin, and an organization identify or Registered Identification Quantity (RN). The FTC administers the RN system and business members will need to take a look at current upgrades to the RN web site. With RNs and labels on our thoughts, we requested some widespread RN-related inquiries to legal professional Josh Millard, whom we’d label as one of many FTC’s go-to individuals on the topic.
First issues first. What’s an RN?
JOSH: A Registered Identification Quantity (RN) is a numerical designation – the prefix RN adopted by a set of digits – that identifies the corporate liable for advertising, distributing or in any other case dealing with a product coated by the Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts. As a result of some labels are small and a few firm names are lengthy, the regulation permits U.S.-based companies to make use of an RN as a “shorthand” identification. We expect the upgrades to the RN web site will make it even simpler for companies to make use of.
How do I get an RN for my firm?
JOSH: Apply on-line. FTC workers will evaluate your software and electronic mail you usually inside 1-3 enterprise days. As quickly as your software has been authorised, you’ll obtain your RN.
How a lot does it price to get an RN?
JOSH: There’s no cost.
Is it obligatory that corporations use an RN on labels?
JOSH: No, you don’t have to make use of an RN. It’s completely acceptable to incorporate your organization identify as an alternative, however many corporations favor to make use of an RN as a result of it takes up much less area. The RN system has different advantages, too. For instance, it lets individuals determine your small business simply by way of the RN Search display screen. Customers or different business members can kind within the quantity and readily discover your small business.
Our firm doesn’t reside in the US. Can we get an RN?
JOSH: Solely U.S.-based companies can get an RN. In case your international firm manufactures or is concerned within the promoting, distribution, or sale of a product coated by the Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts, put the corporate identify on the label as an alternative of an RN. Alternatively, you possibly can label the product with the RN or enterprise identify of a U.S. firm immediately concerned with importing, distributing, or promoting the product when that’s the case.
Going by way of our data we discovered we’ve got a number of RNs. Is that an issue?
JOSH: It’s not prohibited, however we not challenge a number of RNs to a single firm and encourage corporations to cancel any additional RNs to simplify recordkeeping.
Our headquarters has moved since we utilized for an RN. Do we have to replace our software?
JOSH: Sure. If there was a change to your small business identify, tackle, or authorized standing, please replace the data in your RN registration. An RN could be cancelled if a enterprise doesn’t preserve its info updated, so it’s clever to examine. The excellent news is that the upgraded RN web site makes that simpler to do.
What if we select to make use of an organization identify on the label, relatively than an RN?
JOSH: You will need to embrace the complete identify your organization makes use of to do enterprise – in different phrases, the identify that seems on paperwork like buy orders or invoices. It could actually’t be a trademark, commerce identify, model, or designer identify until that’s additionally the identify below which your organization does enterprise.
What sort of steerage does the FTC have for business members?
JOSH: Threading Your Means By the Labeling Necessities Beneath the Textile and Wool Acts is a superb place to start out, and the FTC’s Clothes and Textiles web page contains hyperlinks to brochures, circumstances, workshops and different compliance sources.
