2023-2025 Forward Regulatory Plan – Competition Bureau


Amendments to the Upholstered and Stuffed Articles Provisions of the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations (TLAR)

Enabling act(s)

Textile Labelling Act, RSC 1985, c T-10 (TLA)

Description

The purpose of the TLA and the TLAR is to provide for the labelling, sale, importation and advertising of consumer textile articles in a way that is accurate and meaningful to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

The Competition Bureau is conducting a review of the TLAR to modernize the labelling requirements for upholstered and stuffed articles. Specifically, the proposed amendments would:

  • Harmonize labelling requirements for consumer upholstered and stuffed articles sold in Canada by requiring consistent labelling disclosures;
  • Simplify the labelling exemption for upholstered and stuffed articles subject to provincial labelling requirements; and
  • Include minor amendments to clarify the wording in Schedule II(5) of the TLAR.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This proposal is consistent with the collaborative work that is currently being undertaken by the Canadian Free Trade Agreement's Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

There may be potential impacts on businesses, and the small business lens may apply.

The potential amendments to the TLAR could affect manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and sellers of consumer upholstered and stuffed articles.

The one-for-one business rule does not apply as there is no incremental change in administrative burden on business.

Consultations

Public consultations on the proposed amendments  took place between August 31, 2020 and October 29, 2020.  As part of this process, the proposed changes and their intent  were set out in a plain language document. Targeted consultations are ongoing with selected stakeholders regarding potential cost implications of the proposed amendments. Beyond these consultations, there will be a final opportunity to comment when the draft regulations are published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. A notice about the publication in the Canada Gazette will be posted on the Competition Bureau's website, and will be sent to key stakeholders.

Further information

April 1, 2021

Departmental contact information

The Information Centre is the primary point of entry for requests from members of the public.

Online: Online Forms

Telephone: 819-997-4282
Toll-free: 1-800-348-5358 (Canada)
Toll-free TTY: 1-866-694-8389 (for hearing-impaired only)

Fax: 819-997-0324

Donovan Allen
Competition Promotion Branch
Competition Bureau
819-661-5779
donovan.allen@cb-bc.gc.ca

Youssef Girgis
Competition Promotion Branch
Competition Bureau
416-806-1547
youssef.girgis@cb-bc.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

April 1, 2021


Amendments to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations (TLAR)

Enabling act(s)

Textile Labelling Act (TLA)

Description

The purpose of the TLA and its Regulations is to provide for the labelling, sale, importation and advertising of consumer textile articles in a way that is accurate and meaningful to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

The proposed amendments would address recommendations of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (SJCSR) to enhance clarity of the regulations. The SJCSR first raised concerns about certain provisions of the TLAR falling outside the legislative authority conferred by the TLA in 2000, and also recommended certain drafting improvements for clarity and incorrect references. While certain recommendations have been addressed through the 2018 Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations (MAR) process, the concerns over legislative authority  were addressed via a 2019 legislative amendment broadening regulatory authority. The regulatory amendment package will therefore accomplish this, and address the remaining clarifications.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The proposal is unrelated to a work plan or commitment under a formal regulatory cooperation forum.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed amendments are of a "housekeeping" nature and are not expected to have a significant impact on stakeholders.

Consultations

Consultations were held in the summer of 2018 on a larger package of amendment proposals than will ultimately form the regulatory submission.

Further information

Information about the work of the SJCSR: https://www.parl.ca/Committees/en/REGS

Departmental contact information

Ian Disend
Marketplace Framework Policy Branch
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-2975
ian.disend@ised-isde.gc.ca

Donovan Allen
Competition Promotion Branch
Competition Bureau
819-661-5779
donovan.allen@cb-bc.gc.ca

Youssef Girgis
Competition Promotion Branch
Competition Bureau
416-806-1547
youssef.girgis@cb-bc.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

The present version of the initiative was added to the Forward Regulatory Plan in 2021. The broader set of proposals was included in prior years. The SJCSR first raised its concerns in 2000.


Consult ISED's Acts and Regulations web page for:

  • a list of acts and regulations administered by ISED
  • further information on ISED's implementation of government-wide regulatory management initiatives

Consult the following for links to the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and supporting policies and guidance, and for information on government-wide regulatory initiatives implemented by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada:

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit: