CC41 was a mark used in Britain during and after the Second World War as part of the government’s Utility Clothing Scheme, introduced in 1941 by the Board of Trade to deal with shortages of materials and labour during wartime. The CC41 symbol—often called the “Utility mark”—was placed on clothing, footwear, furniture, and textiles to show that these items met government regulations on quality, price, and the amount of materials used. The scheme aimed to ensure that essential goods were affordable and available to everyone while conserving resources for the war effort. Manufacturers had to follow strict rules limiting features such as extra pockets, pleats, and fabric use, but designers were still involved to keep clothing practical and stylish. The CC41 mark remained in use throughout the war and into the post-war austerity period, finally ending in 1952 when rationing and utility controls were phased out.
