FABRIC CARE LABELLING

Index

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Topic About Care Labels

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Care Labels: A brief history. Two key goals. One key revision. The next step: A move toward symbols. 3 4 4 11 12

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Why care label symbols? Different care labeling systems: European Care Labeling International Care labeling system-GINETEX (According to ISO 3758:1991) Overview: ISO 3758:1991 vs ISO 3758:2005 ISO 3758:2005 Care Symbols References

About Care Labels

Care Labels: A brief history. Long before polyester, acrylic and automatic washing machines came along, consumers could easily identify a wool or cotton garment and successfully clean it without a care label. But those days are long gone. New fibers and new technology have created a vast array of apparel and textiles - each designed to look beautiful and to stand up to the test of time. Unfortunately, consumers had no way of knowing just how to properly clean these items, often damaging both the apparel's beauty and long-lived nature. So in 1972, the Federal Trade Commission introduced the Care Labeling Rule which, for the first time, required manufacturers to label their clothing with instructions for at least one safe cleaning method for the garment. From this time on, it would be considered unfair and deceptive for manufacturers or importers to sell items without care labels. [1] Two key goals. Requiring care labels actually accomplished two very important goals. First, it helped consumers make buying decisions based upon the care method required. Some people prefer the convenience of dry cleaning, others the economy of machine washing. At the same time, care labels assured that consumers knew how to safely clean their clothes so that they retained their appearance and performance over time. Something which the entire apparel industry was all for as well. [1] One key revision. In January 1984, the FTC made a number of revisions to its Care Labeling Rule based upon findings that many consumers considered care labels to be incomplete, inaccurate and inconsistent. The rule was amended to clarify care labeling requirements, simplify and unify the care label language and provide more specific, detailed information for consumers. The Rule was also intended to make care labeling compliance easier for manufacturers which would, in turn, make care labels more beneficial and informative for consumers. [1] The next step: A move toward symbols. Now, the FTC is introducing a "conditional exemption" to its Care Labeling Rule. This exemption, which begins July 1, 1997, allows manufacturers to use certain care symbols in place of written instructions to communicate a method for cleaning. Originally proposed in November 1995 and then refined over the following 15 months, this exemption is designed to
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further simplify and unify care labels, making them more helpful to consumers. The symbols to be used have been developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
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Why care label symbols? One of the major reasons behind the introduction of care label symbols is to harmonize American clothing labeling regulations with those of Canada and Mexico. In fact, the intent is that the new symbols will become standard in all countries participating in the North American Free Trade Agreement. This means that apparel manufacturers will now be able to use the same care label on garments offered for sale in any or all of these countries. And consumers will be able to make purchase decisions based upon care requirements, and follow appropriate care instructions, without knowledge of the language. Additionally, this move to care label symbols can help satisfy another consumer demand which is to decrease the size of care labels. Lately, there's been growing concern among manufacturers that the higher cost of larger labels are being reflected in higher apparel cost. Using symbols in place of words is a simple tactic for saving both space and money. You should keep in mind, however, that the upcoming conditional exemption stops short of creating a global standard for care labeling. This is still a goal of the FTC. It's just that the FTC does not believe the system of symbols set up by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and known as Ginetex is as comprehensive as those developed by the ASTM. Efforts to harmonize the ASTM and ISO care symbol systems are expected to continue. [1] Different care labeling systems: American Care Labeling System (According to American society for testing and materials (ASTM)) European Care Labeling System (According to ISO 3758:2005 and managed by GINETEX ) Japanese Care Labeling System

Canadian Care Labeling System (The Canadian standard for care labeling has been revised. The new version has symbols in black and white replacing the previous traffic light colors of green, amber, and red.)

Australian Care Labeling System (In English wording) Chinese Care Labeling System (According to GB/T 8685-2008) [3]

European Care Labeling Individual technical committees of the European Union and International Standards Organisation reviewed existing care label standards and have created a unified system under the ISO scheme which is published as ISO 3758:2005. The textile care labeling symbols are managed by Ginetex (International Association for Textile Care Labeling). The symbols are registered as international trademarks. Ginetex has 16 member countries, the national committees of which administer the right to reproduce these symbols in their countries. A correct care label for European countries is required to consist of five symbols in the following sequence: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional textile care. [3]

International Care labeling system- GINETEX (According to ISO 3758:1991) Internationally, many countries follow different care instructions and have different laws and rules governing the same. The International Association for Textile Care Labeling (GINETEX) had, therefore, developed a language-independent care labeling system in 1975. With an aim to promote voluntary care labeling on international basis, the GINETEX care labeling system (or international care labeling system) mainly uses symbols to provide care instructions. ISO 3758:1991 provides a code of reference for the use of these symbols. The system consists of five basic symbols and their full descriptions are shown in the following.

Note: A cross on any of them means that the treatment shall not be used and a bar under the symbols indicates milder treatment is needed (broken bar indicates a very mild treatment). WASHING Maximum temperature 95 C Mechanical action normal Rinsing normal Spinning normal Maximum temperature 95 C Mechanical action reduced Rinsing at gradually decreasing

temperature (cool down) Spinning reduced Maximum temperature 70 C Mechanical action normal Rinsing normal Spinning normal Maximum temperature 60 C Mechanical action normal Rinsing normal Spinning normal Maximum temperature 60 C Mechanical action reduced Rinsing at gradually decreasing
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temperature (cool down) Spinning reduced Maximum temperature 50 C Mechanical action reduced Rinsing at gradually decreasing

temperature (cool down) Spinning reduced Maximum temperature 40 C Mechanical action normal Rinsing normal Spinning normal Maximum temperature 40 C Mechanical action reduced Rinsing at gradually decreasing

temperature (cool down) Spinning reduced Maximum temperature 40 C Mechanical action much reduced Rinsing normal Spinning normal Do not wring by hand Maximum temperature 30 C Mechanical action much reduced

Rinsing normal Spinning reduced Hand wash Do not machine wash Maximum temperature of wash 40 C Handle with care Do not wash. Be cautious when treating in wet stage

BLEACHING Chlorine-based bleaching allowed Only cold and dilute solution

Do not use chlorine-based bleach

IRONING Iron at a maximum sole-plate

temperature of 200 C Iron at a maximum sole-plate

temperature of 150 C Iron at a maximum sole-plate

temperature of 110 C

Steam-Ironing may be risky Do not iron Steaming and steam treatments are not allowed

DRY-CLEANING Dry-cleaning in all solvents normally used for dry-cleaning - this includes all solvents listed for the symbol P, plus trichloroethylene trichloroethane Dry-cleaning in tetrachloroethylene, and all and 1, 1, 1-

monofluorotrichloromethane solvents listed for the symbol F

Normal cleansing procedures without restrictions Dry-cleaning in the solvents listed in the previous paragraph Strict limitations on the addition of water and/or mechanical action and /or temperature during cleaning drying No self-service cleaning allowed Dry-cleaning in trifluorotrichloroethane, white spirit (distillation temperature between 150 C and 210 C, flash point 38 C to 6O C)
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and/or

Normal cleansing procedures without restrictions Dry-cleaning in the solvents listed in the previous paragraph Strict limitations on the addition of water and/or mechanical action and/ or temperature during cleaning and/or drying No self-service cleaning allowed Do not dry clean No stain removal with solvents

DRYING Tumble dry possible Normal drying cycle Tumble dry possible Drying at lower temperature setting

Do not tumble dry

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Overview: ISO 3758:1991 vs ISO 3758:2005 There also have been a number of revisions made to the care labeling requirements of ISO 3758 last year. Prompted by newer technologies and new fibers, finishes and materials, labeling requirements had to expand to reflect updated practices. The following is a summary of the major changes. ISO 3758:2005 should be consulted for specific requirements and revised graphics.

Bleaching: While in 1991 it was sufficient to state chlorine-based bleaching, now bleaching encompasses more alternatives: chlorine bleaches or oxidizing bleaching agents, and oxygen/non-chlorine bleaches. This necessitated changing the symbols to represent these choices.

Dry Cleaning: Changes have also been made to dry cleaning, which in 1991 had six symbols. The current standard now refers to it as professional textile care and lists eight symbols, some modified from the previous addition, and three new ones added to incorporate professional wet cleaning.

Natural Drying: Natural drying symbols are now included as an annex to the main document, beyond the three tumble-drying symbols which remain the same. Tub Graphics: There are also modifications to the drawings of bar lines under the tub graphics for washing processes. The following represent a sample of the differences between the 1991 drawing and the 2005 drawing: [2]
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[2]

New

Old

New

Old

The International Association for Textile Care Labelling (GINETEX) has announced that it will change the sequence order of its care label symbols to harmonize with those in the 2005 version of ISO 3758, Textiles Care Labelling Code Using Symbols. This will create a global practice of listing the five symbols in the order of consumer practice, namely: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, professional textile care. (GINETEX member countries are currently using the sequence: washing, bleaching, ironing, professional textile care, tumble drying.) The change is now in effect, but industry and the textile trade will have a transitional period of eighteen months (until the end of 2007) in which to make the conversion. ISO 3758:2005 Care Symbols [3]

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Care Labels Care labels are care instructions on garments. Symbols are written on care labels, attached to clothing to indicate how a particular item should best be cleaned. Textile and apparel labels can help you consider alternative choices and make better buying decisions if you take time to read them. Permanent Care Labels (PCL) use symbols to explain how to care for wearing apparel and home sewing fabrics, so consumers need to learn the basic symbols. Introduction

Caring for garments in proper way is so important that some regulations have been enacted requiring garment manufacturers to provide information about how to care for the garment. This information or care symbol must be attached to the garment and must be readable upon purchase. Such symbols are written on care labels, attached to clothing to indicate how a particular item should best be cleaned. A Laundry care symbol is a standardized symbol which indicates best cleaning procedures to be used for that particular combination of fabric, thread, decoration and construction techniques representing a method of washing, beaching, drying, ironing or dry-cleaning process of a garment. Repeated cleaning treatment and correct care process can assure cleaner and fresher clothes, good appearance, longer life and most important, fit and quality of garment. Damage to garments from incorrect cleaning methods can lead to complaints and costly customer return.

Qualifications of Good Care Labels

At present various care labeling systems are followed worldwide. Whatever the system may be, it should follow basic principles as below.

The care labels should not be visible from outside and should not be inconvenient to the wearer The symbols and letters on the labels shall be legible throughout useful life of garment All the symbols used in the care labeling system should be placed directly on the article or on a label which shall be affixed in a permanent manner to the article. Care labels should be made of suitable material with resistance to the care treatment indicated in the label at least equal to that of the article on which they are placed. The care instruction symbols are applicable to whole of the garment including trimmings, zippers, linings buttons, embroidery or decorative embellishment.

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Types of care labeling system At present, there is no universal garment care symbol system. The ASTM symbols are accepted in NAFTA countries. ISO/GINETEX symbols are accepted in most of Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan has their own symbol system. Care labelsare not mandatory in all countries. Following systems have been established as either a governmental regulation or an international standard.

Laundering : is a process intended to remove soil or stains by washing with an aqueous detergent solution and possibly bleach and normally including subsequent rinsing, extracting drying. Chlorine bleach : is a process carried out in an aqueous medium, during or after washing processes, requiring the use of chlorine based bleaching agent for the propose ofremoving stains and improving whiteness. Non-chlorine bleach : that does not release the hypochlorite ion in solution, for example sodium perborate, sodium per carbonate, etc. Dry-cleaning : is process for cleaning textile articles by means of organic solventslike petroleum, per-chloro-ethylene, and fluorocarbon. This process consists or cleaning rinsing, spinning and drying. Tumble drying : is a process carried out on a textile article after washing, with the intention of removing residual water by treatment with hot air in a rotating drum. Ironing : is a method or pressing using a heated hand iron sometimes together with moisture or steam, and a gliding motion. Pressing : Are a process or smoothing and shaping by heat and pressure, with or without the presence of steam. Bleach : a product for brightening and aiding the removal of soils and stains from textile materials by oxidation that is inclusive of bother chlorine and non-chlorine products. Cleaning agent : a chemical compound or formulating of several compounds which loosens, disperses, dissolves, or emulsifies soil to facilitate removal by mechanical action. Professional Care: Cleaning and maintenance procedures requiring the services of a person specially trained or skilled in their use.

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Different Types of Care Labels:

Off-White Double Faced Care Label Garment Starching Care Label 100% Polyester Care Label Satin Printed Care Labels Printed Brand Wash Care Label Taffeta Care Label Woven Care Label Care Label Ribbon Printed Garment Care Label Damask Care Labels Double Face Coated Nylon Taffeta Care Label Metal Care Label For Clothing

Sub-category of Wash Care Labels: Custom Made IN-HOUSE Care Labels Pre-Printed Labels on Rolls Pre-Printed Swing Tags Woven Labels - Custom Design Woven Labels- Pre Printed

Some Examples : Taffeta Wash Care Labels For Garments

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Satin Garments Wash Care Labels

Printing On Colored Satin, Taffeta Tapes

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Care Labels Anti-Fray Edge

Fibre/Washcare End Fold Labels

HLCC (Wash Tub) End Fold Labels

Fibre/Washcare

Standard Wording Sew-in Labels

Woven Hanger Tabs

Quality Needed By the Industry:

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1. Resistant to Laundering / Washing Fastness. 2. Resistant to Steam Pressing. 3. Resistant to Dry Cleaning. 4. Abrasion Resistance.

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