Boohoo, the online fast fashion retailer, has faced significant backlash for labeling clothes as ‘Made in the UK’ when they were actually produced in South Asia. This revelation emerged from a BBC Panorama investigation, which suggested that original labels on T-shirts and hoodies were removed at Boohoo’s Leicester factory and replaced with ‘Made in the UK’ labels.
In the UK, while clothing labels are used to inform consumers about the manufacturing country of a product, there is ongoing debate about the adequacy of this information.
Legally, manufacturers in the EU and the UK must disclose the textiles used in garments, specifying the exact percentage of any material that makes up more than 15% of the total weight of the product.
Although "Made In…" labeling is not mandated by law in the UK, it becomes crucial to avoid misleading consumers regarding the true origin of the garment.
Moreover, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandates that all clothing labels clearly state the country where the clothing was manufactured. This requirement is vital for maintaining honest trade practices and ensuring that brands do not deceive customers about the location of an item's production.
For example, if a piece of clothing is designed in the UK but made in China, it must be labeled "Made in China" to reflect its actual place of manufacture.
Boohoo has responded to the mislabeling issue by claiming it resulted from human error, describing it as an isolated incident affecting less than 1 percent of their global garment intake.
Despite Boohoo's statement, the BBC estimates that hundreds of thousands of items may have been incorrectly labeled. Following the scandal, Boohoo is contemplating closing and relocating its Thurmaston Lane factory.
