Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
General buying information for facilities and resellers, not medical or legal advice. Sources checked 2026-11-01; see the Sources section.
Short answer
Wholesale medical scrubs are bought in volume from a manufacturer, importer or distributor, usually on a business account. Before a first order, check three things on the garment and from the seller: the legal label (fiber content, country of origin, company name or RN, care instructions), the product’s regulatory status (scrub suits are not a classified surgical-apparel device), and the seller’s written terms for units, returns and account eligibility.
Definition and scope
Here, “wholesale” means buying scrubs in quantities for a facility, a uniform program or resale, rather than one garment at a time. Each seller sets its own minimums, account rules and terms, so those are things to ask about, not facts that hold everywhere. For fit and size charts, see scrub sizes; for garment-type trade-offs, see reusable vs disposable scrubs and coveralls; for gowns, see gown sizes. For the general process of buying medical supplies in volume, see the wholesale medical supply procurement guide and the bulk medical supplies buying guide.
How to buy medical scrubs wholesale: what to verify before a first order
Start with the label, because US textile rules set what it must carry. The FTC’s guidance on the Textile and Wool Acts says a label must list the generic fiber names with the percentage by weight of each fiber, name the country where an imported product was processed or manufactured, and show either the company name or its Registered Identification Number (RN). Garments must also carry care instructions on a permanent label.
| Check | What the FTC guidance says | What to ask the seller |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber content | Generic fiber names and percentage by weight of each fiber | A label sample or spec sheet showing the fiber percentages for the exact style and color |
| Country of origin | Imported products identify the country where processed or manufactured | Where the style is made, as it will appear on the label |
| Who is responsible | Label shows the company name or RN | Which company or RN appears on the garment label |
| Care instructions | Permanent, legible label covering washing, drying, ironing if needed, and bleach warnings where bleach harms the garment | The care label text, or a written laundering instruction if the label is not supplied |
One nuance on care labels: the FTC’s Care Labeling Rule guidance (page dated May 2014; check the current rule) lists an exemption for “products sold to institutional buyers for commercial use.” A facility buying in bulk may therefore receive garments without the consumer-style care label, so ask what care and laundering information the seller supplies in writing.
Regulatory status: scrubs are not “FDA-cleared” surgical gowns
Under 21 CFR 878.4040, surgical apparel is defined as devices intended to be worn by operating room personnel during surgical procedures, and the regulation states that “surgical suits and dresses, commonly known as scrub suits, are excluded.” The same section classifies surgical gowns and surgical masks as Class II (special controls) and other surgical apparel as Class I. Practical reading for a buyer: do not accept a scrub listing that says “FDA-approved” or “FDA-cleared” without a document that backs it, and treat a gown and a scrub top as different product categories with different paperwork.
Documents to ask for
- A spec sheet or label sample showing fiber percentages, origin and the company name or RN.
- The care instructions in writing.
- A sample garment in the size and color you plan to order, to check the label against the spec sheet.
- The seller’s written return and quality policy.
- Whatever account paperwork the seller requires, such as business or tax documents. This varies by seller.
Case or pack size and unit of measure
No regulation sets a standard scrub case size, so the unit is whatever the seller defines. Ask the seller to state, per style and color, whether the price unit is a garment, a set or a case, how many garments a case holds, and whether sizes can be mixed within a case. Get the answer in writing on the quote.
Where to buy and who can open an account
Scrubs are sold by manufacturers, importers and distributors. The FTC labeling duties fall on manufacturers and importers, so it helps to ask who the labeler of record is. Whether small buyers or new businesses can open an account is each seller’s own policy; ask what the seller requires and whether it sells single sample garments before a volume order.
Common misunderstandings
- “Medical scrubs are regulated like surgical gowns.” The CFR text excludes scrub suits from the surgical apparel classification.
- “Bulk garments always carry a care label.” The institutional-buyer exemption means they may not.
- “The listing page is the label.” The legal label is on the garment; compare a physical sample to the listing.
FAQ
Where can I buy wholesale medical supplies such as scrubs?
From manufacturers, importers and distributors that sell to businesses. Ask each for the label details and written terms listed above before comparing offers.
How do I buy medical supplies wholesale?
Confirm eligibility with the seller, request a sample and spec sheet, check the label against the FTC elements, and get units, returns and terms in writing. The procurement guide covers the wider process.
What should I verify before placing a first order?
Fiber percentages, country of origin, company name or RN, care instructions, and any regulatory claim made about the product.
What documents should I ask the seller for?
A spec sheet, a label sample, written care instructions, the return policy and any account paperwork the seller requires.
What is the typical case or pack size and unit of measure?
It is set by the seller, not by a standard. Ask for the unit, count per case and size mix per style and color.
Can small buyers or new businesses open an account?
That depends on the seller’s policy. Ask what it requires and whether samples are available first.
What shelf life and lot information should be on the label?
The textile labeling requirements in the FTC guidance cover fiber content, origin, company name or RN and care instructions; they do not mention expiry dates or lot numbers. If you need lot or batch traceability, ask the seller what it provides.
