If you are making clothing for the US, then you need to understand what the RN number on the clothing label means. It may look like an easy product code or identification number, but it’s not that simple. It actually has a purpose in the US.
In our experience, we have seen a lot of RN numbers while dealing with garments and apparel brands. The interesting thing about this number is that it is not linked to a specific garment or style; rather, it identifies the business responsible for products covered by US textile labeling regulations.
In this article, we’ll explain what an RN number means, who issues it, how it is used on clothing labels, and how you can use the FTC’s RN database to identify a company.
If you are making garments for the USA apparel Brands, you might have already seen a 5-digit RN number (7-digit code starting with RN 99999) on the label (one of the labels).
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What does this RN number mean?
Definition of RN Number:
“RN stands for Registered Identification Number. It is a number issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to U.S. businesses that manufacture, import, distribute, or sell products covered by the Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts. Businesses can use this number on product labels instead of the company name”. Source: FTC website.
RN Number on Clothing Labels
A business can use the RN number on their garments in place of the company name. A brand or business uses one RN number for all their garments and styles. RN number is not related to any specific apparel product. A company can use the same RN number for all its apparel products.
By the RN number, consumers and anyone can identify who the owner of a piece of clothing is (Brands, manufacturers, importers, etc.) You can search the company name of an apparel product that has a given RN number on the label by using the FTC RN Number Database
They have published Frequently asked questions on RN (available on the FTC website). I searched for the company name of the RN, and I got the company name The Gap Inc,
How Dinesh Exports Supports Apparel Brands
At Dinesh Exports, we’ve been working with apparel brands and garment manufacturers for more than three decades. We’ve seen how many different details need to come together before a garment is ready for the market, from fabric selection and sampling to specifications, quality control, and final production.
We have been manufacturing and supplying a wide range of woven fabrics for apparel brands, including cotton fabrics, linen blends, Lyocell, yarn-dyed fabrics, and other sustainable woven fabric options. We also understand that brands need consistent fabric quality and reliable technical information when developing garments for different markets.
If you’re developing a new apparel collection and looking for a reliable woven fabric manufacturing partner, contact us.
Conclusion
An RN number is a registered identification number issued by the FTC. It is used by businesses that are eligible; they can print the number instead of adding their company name on the label. It acts as a useful information provider to consumers. While RN numbers do not help in identifying a specific garment or product, they can help identify the business responsible for making it. So you can use the same number on all the products. If someone wants to know the company responsible for it, then they can search the FTCs RN database. If you are always exporting garments to the US, then understanding this will help you make your labeling process easier.
