INTRODUCTION

The apparel and textile industries worldwide have set different standards for care labelling a
product. It becomes the suppliers or manufacturers responsibility to make sure customers
understand the right methods of maintaining a product. Any piece of a textile product has two
major kinds of labels, one that describes the fibre composition of the fabric and the other that
contains washing and ironing instructions, which is generally called care labelling.

Different countries have set different standards, rules, and laws for the manufacturers or
exporters that need to be duly followed. For example, the Canadian General Standard Board
requires apparel manufacturers to include information related to temperature in Celsius only,
in its care labels. Similarly, the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) care labelling rule in
America, required updating their rule of specifying the use of 'hot', 'warm', and 'cold' in the
labelling instructions. And also needed to define what is hot and what is warm to make it easy
for consumers.

Why is care labelling given so much importance in the apparel and the textile industry?

Labels in clothes and other textile articles play a huge role in the buying decision of a consumer.
For some, the convenience of dry cleaning might be a reason to pick up a certain garment,
while some might prefer machine wash more economic. Hence consumers, look beyond the
aesthetics and fabric of a product. The after use and maintenance is vital to push their decision
forward or backward to buy.

Apart from this, the care labelling functions as a guideline to washing and caring. The
instructions also help laundry washers and dry cleaners, while cleaning clothes and other textile
articles like carpets, curtains, or cushion covers for their consumers. It also serves as guidelines
to consumers for increasing the life of a product and can prevent them from causing damage
of a garment.

Colourfastness, shape, ironing, appearance, are also the matters of concerns with consumers
post purchase of a product. The chemical composition and structure of fibres used in a fabric
decide the method of cleaning and storing an article. According to the chemical sensitivity of

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the fabric, the type of detergent, bleaching, or dry cleaning will be determined, and depending
on heat sensitivity of the fabric, the washing, drying, and ironing will be established.

Fabrics that are loosely woven, and can easily get out of shape, require special care while
washing, drying, and ironing. All these things help in maintaining the condition and
serviceability of the garments and other products. The creation of a garment or a textile article
adds to the intricacy of caring procedures. It is not possible to add all details to strengthen the
life of a product; hence it is only fair on the part of the suppliers to help customers with care
labelling to guide them.

The care labelling standards applies to everyone who is a part of the manufacturing process i.e.
suppliers, importers, distributors, retailers, and producers of the products. Although every
country follows its own set of standards and mandatory rules of care labelling, there are a few
set of pre-requisites that apply to most of them. The care labels need to be permanently attached
to the product and must be legible. It must be able to put up with the procedures mentioned
thereby. Only symbols are not enough, instructions also need to go with labels.

Labels attached in products, must also be easily found by consumers during the point of
purchase. In case of the product being packaged in a way, which the customer cannot have
access to the care label, a pamphlet or a ticket needs to be attached to the package. Products
having more than one piece, for instance in children nightwear, say a pair of pajamas and t-
shirt, then both the items must bear care label individually.

The products included under mandatory standards as far as textiles are concerned are as
follows: clothing, household textiles, apparels, furnishings, bedding, and mattresses. However,
other textile products like second hand clothes, textile items used in footwear, cloths used for
cleaning, medical and surgical purpose textiles like bandages, dressings, and sanitary pads do
not require care labelling.

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1. CARE LABELING IN APPARELS

INTRODUCTION

Care instructions are small solutions to big problems. Care labels provide guidelines to
consumers about apparel care, and the best cleaning procedures to be used for a particular
combination of fabric, thread decoration and construction techniques. Following the
instructions on the care labels is an assurance that the appearance and fit of the garment will be
maintained after repeated cleaning treatments.

From a manufacturer’s point of view, damage to garments from incorrect cleaning methods can
lead to complaints; costly customer returns and a bad image. Whereas accurate and clearly
written care labels can prevent customer dissatisfaction. From a consumer’s point of view,
accurate and clearly written care instructions serve as a cleaning guide and influence purchase.
Garments with ease of care are often preferred over garments with complicated or difficult to
understand care procedures.

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Many different care labelling systems have evolved over the world. Some have been
established as a governmental regulation, while others are international standards. Not
all of them however, are mandatory.

• The country where the garment is sewn is the country of origin listed on the care label.
• Care labels must be permanently attached so that they are easily accessible to the
consumer at the point of purchase. Generally, it is placed on the side or bottom.
• The manufacturer or importer who directs production is responsible for the accuracy of
care instructions.
• A product may be imported without a care label, but it must be attached before the
product is sold.

There are five care labelling systems which are generally used on care labels. These
systems are:

1. The International Care Labelling System

2. The Japanese Care Labelling System
3. The Canadian Care Labelling System
4. The European Care Labelling System
5. The American Care Labelling System

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 1. The International Care Labelling System

The International Association for Textile Care Labelling (GINETEX) is the world body
which governs care labels since 1975.

Member nations of GINETEX are Belgium, France, Germany, England, Netherlands,

Israel, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain.

Its objectives are to:

• Inform consumers on the correct care labelling of textiles through a system of uniform and
simple care labelling symbols, independent of language.
• Achieve and promote voluntary care labelling on an international basis through the uniform
symbols of GINETEX, thus avoiding the use of different systems.

The GINETEX care labelling system is based on the following principles:

• The care symbols provide information on the maximum permitted type of treatment
• The care symbols must always be used in full and in the prescribed sequence.
• The care labelling must be clear, readily understandable, easy to use and not dependent on
any particular language.
• The care symbols must not leave room for possible misinterpretation by the consumer
• Uniform positioning of labels and harmonized use of the care symbols.
• The uniform care labelling system using symbols must take account of consumer habits
without using complex technical data.
• The appliances used for textile care purposes must ensure the best possible implementation
of the recommended care treatment.
• Adaptations which are necessary to keep up with ongoing technical and economic
developments must as far as possible be made without the use of new symbols and additions
in the framework of the existing system.

Five basic symbols are used in the International care labelling system in this order:

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 2. The Japanese Care Labelling System

The Japanese system, like other care labelling systems must have symbols placed in a
specified order. Labels should be designed based on the following convention:

• Symbols should be arranged from left to right according to the following sequence:
1) Washing, 2) Bleaching, 3) Ironing, 4) Dry-Cleaning, 5) Wringing & 6) Drying

• For colored products which are not usually bleached, the symbol for possibility of chlorine
bleached may be omitted.
• For products which are not usually ironed, the symbols for ironing may be omitted. (Except
'cannot be ironed')
• For products which can be washed with water, the symbols for dry-cleaning may be omitted.
(Except ‘cannot be dry-cleaned’)
• The symbols should be either in black or dark blue whereas the prohibition symbols are in
red and on a white background.

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3. The Canadian Care Labelling System

Until July 1973 care labelling was not a legal requirement in Canada. After this date a new
care labelling system was introduced. The new Canadian care symbol system used green
(go ahead), amber (caution), and red (don’t try) with five symbols which were wash tub,
bleach triangle, square dryer, iron, and dry-cleaning circle. In 2003 the Canadian system
was updated to harmonise with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and
(ISO) standards, and the colour code was discontinued.

If any message is not conveyed by the care labelling symbols, words in English and French
may be used. The five symbols must appear in the following order on the care labels:
washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, and dry-cleaning.

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The symbols are described in the following table:

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4. The European Care Labelling System

Individual committees of the European Union are reviewing existing care label standards
by collaborating with other international bodies so that they can create a unified system
under the ISO scheme.

The symbols used in Europe are trademarked by GENETEX and a trademark fee needs to
be paid to GENETEX, the trademark holder, if the garments are to be sold in a GENETEX
country.

A correct care label for European countries is required to consist of at least four and
sometimes five symbols in the following sequence:

1) Washing, 2) Bleaching, 3) Ironing, 4) Dry-Cleaning & 5) Drying.

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5. The American Care Labelling System

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Care Label rule, care labels may be
composed of either words or symbols. Irrespective of whether the content is words, symbols,
or both, care instructions appear in the following order:

• Machine wash / hand wash / dry-clean

• Washing temperature (hot / warm / cold)
• Washing machine programme (delicate / permanent press / normal cycle)
• Bleaching instruction (do not bleach / non-chlorine bleach / chlorine bleach)
• Drying method (tumble dry / line dry / flat dry / drip dry)
• Ironing (do not iron / cool iron / warm iron / hot iron)
• Warnings

In addition to the care label instructions, manufacturers and importers must provide labels that:

• Are permanently attached so that they can be easily seen at the point of sale. If the
product is packaged, displayed or folded so that the customers cannot find the label,
care information must also appear on the side of the package or on a hang tag.
• Remain fastened and legible during the useful life of the product.
• Mention the regular care needed for the ordinary use of the product.
• Warn the customer about additional factors which may harm the garment.

Since December 1996, a new system using only symbols and no words has been used in the
United States of America. The revised care symbols developed by the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM) with their meanings are listed:

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Symbols used in the American Care Labelling System (ASTM Symbols)

Fabric Performance Codes

The Premiere Vision Performance Codes were created to highlight specific properties or
qualities of the fabric. These are value-added characteristics of the fabric which may or may
not be visible to the buyer.
Premiere Vision has created 24 pictograms that are listed below with their meanings:

Premiere Vision Fabric Performance Codes

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Exemptions.

(a) Any item of textile wearing apparel, without pockets, that is totally reversible (i.e., the
product is designed to be used with either side as the outer part or face) is exempt from the care
label requirement.

(b) Manufacturers or importers can ask for an exemption from the care label requirement for
any other textile wearing apparel product or product line, if the label would harm the
appearance or usefulness of the product. The request must be made in writing to the Secretary
of the Commission. The request must be accompanied by a labelled sample of the product and
a full statement explaining why the request should be granted.

(c) If an item is exempt from care labelling the consumers still must be given the required care
information for the product. However, the care information can be put on a hang tag, on the
package, or in some other conspicuous place, so that consumers will be able to see the care
information before buying the product.

(d) Manufacturers and importers of products are exempt from the requirement for a permanent
care label if the product can be cleaned safely under the harshest procedures. This exemption
is available only if there is reliable proof that all of the following washing and dry-cleaning
procedures can safely be used on a product:
(1) Machine washing in hot water;
(2) Machine drying at a high setting;
(3) Ironing at a hot setting;
(4) Bleaching with all commercially available bleaches;
(5) Dry-cleaning with all commercially available solvents. In such case, the statement "wash
or dry clean, any normal method'' must appear on a hang tag, on the package, or in some other
conspicuous place, so that consumers will be able to see the statement before buying the
product. If a product meets the requirements outlined above, it is automatically exempt from
the care label requirement. It is not necessary to file a request for this exemption.

(e) Manufacturers and importers need not provide care information with products sold to
institutional buyers for commercial use.

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6. Indian Care Labelling System

The symbols used in Indian care labelling system are same as that of International care
labelling system.
The five basic symbols are washtub, triangle, iron, circle, circle inside a square for the
processes of washing, bleaching, ironing, dry-cleaning, and tumble-drying processes
respectively.
The cross symbol superimposed on any of the basic symbols indicates the treatment is not
permitted. In addition to the above five symbols a bar under the washtub or circle indicates that
the treatment should be milder than that indicated by the same symbol without a bar, and a
broken bar under the washtub indicates a very mild washing process at 400oC.

WASHING

BLEACHING

IRONING

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DRY CLEANING

TUMBLE DRYING

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2. SAFETY HAZARDS IN CLOTHING

Safety hazards in clothing are very essential. In today’s time, there are uncountable different
variations in clothing. People innovate and create something new every day on the basis of
style, material, fashion or technological advancement.
Where, all these variations are appreciated and promoted, there is also a need of some safety
precautions to be there. These precautions have to be there since the conceptualization of
garments so as once they get into manufacturing, they are considered.

Different garment types have different precautions. With such variations in garments, they have
been generalized in categories such as Children wear, Inflammable Clothing ( Fire Fighting
attire), Heavy Industrial Working attire etc. This way it is easy to have set precautions for
different attire and standards can be maintained for all to follow.
A standard can be made mandatory by either trade practices regulation or Commonwealth
Gazette notice. A gazette notice refers to a published Australian Standard and could detail
variations to that standard. If you're a supplier, check both the gazette notice and the Australian
Standard it refers to.

There are two types of mandatory product standards:

Safety standards - goods must comply with particular performance, composition, contents,
methods of manufacture or processing, design, construction, finish or packaging rules.

Information standards - prescribed information must be given to consumers when they

purchase specified goods (e.g. labelling for cosmetics, tobacco products and care labelling for
clothing and textile products).
Many Clothing or apparel safety regulations have been set up by countries and organisations
around the world. The aim of each of these regulations is simply to ensure that certain set
standards are met while production of clothes or apparels so as they are safe for the consumer
to wear.

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Following are details about set safety hazard essentials in clothing and apparels of some set
categories-

1. Children’s Clothing
The safety of children garment is an extremely important issue. Manufacturers do their best
while production of garments with using the right material, not using the harmful
embellishments or accessories to stand on to a consumer’s trust while making a purchase.
Garment Safety –

Children aged 36 months and under are particularly susceptible to choking, asphyxiation and
ingestion hazards caused by small objects. All components that could become detached from
children’s clothing are all examples of small parts, and therefore choking hazards.

HAZARDS
Hazards are defined as the potential source of harm. For children’s apparel and accessories, the
most prevalent hazards have been identified. For each, an overview is provided for the nature
of the hazard and how it presents dangers for children. The key hazards are:
• Chemical Toxicity
• Choking & Ingestion
• Sharp Edges & Points
• Strangulation & Entrapment
• Other Sources of Hazards

Chemical Toxicity

Chemicals, toxins, impurities and contaminants are the hidden hazards in textile production, as
these are invisible, often odourless and generally difficult to detect and understand. Research
into the effects of certain chemicals and the determination of what levels should be considered
hazardous is ongoing. There inconsistent regulations internationally regarding acceptable
limits and whether negative consequences outweigh the utility of certain chemicals, especially
in view of substitution with less studied substances. Therefore standards currently vary between
regions. The more stringent regulations and bans are in place in Europe and North America.
Generally young children are more vulnerable to chemical hazards. Their bodies, internal

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organs and major physiological systems are still developing. Metabolic, immunological,
hormonal and reproductive systems are immature and more vulnerable to toxins. Innate
behaviour such as sucking and frequent hand to mouth contact means they ingest substances
present in their immediate surroundings.

Choking & Ingestion Hazard

One of the most prevalent and potentially dangerous hazards for young children is small parts
or pieces that break-away or pull-away from garments or accessories. Once these small pieces
become accessible to young children, they often find their way into children’s mouths, upon
which they present a choking or ingestion hazard. Detached small parts can arise through a
number of circumstances:
 “Normal” use: Where attachments or parts of items create small parts through the conditions
of use. By example: Bows at the neckline being plucked or sucked; Toggles on drawstring
being sucked/chewed;
 Washing treatments: Garments and accessories are placed under physical duress whenever
laundered. Any weaknesses in methods of attaching components can be exposed through the
laundering process. By example: Diamantes glued to fabrics that become loose once washed.
 Fitting or removing a garment: Attachments such as buttons or snaps that are placed under
stress whenever used, have the potential to separate and thereby create a small part. Risks are
greater for the very young. It is generally recognized that children under the age of three are
most susceptible to severe outcomes from small part being swallowed. At young ages, the gag-
reflex (i.e. the ability to cough to remove a blockage) has not adequately developed. If small
parts are swallowed they can create a blockage that then becomes fatal. Unfortunately, children
are often reluctant to confess to their actions. This can make it difficult to establish the
circumstances leading to them feeling unwell or having a reaction to something they have
swallowed.

Sharp Edges & Points Hazard

Safety risks arise for children when buttons, trims and attachments create sharp edges or sharp
points. These create potential:  Penetration risks  Piercing risks, or  Slicing risks These
risks can present themselves during:  Regular use (e.g. a sharp corner edge on a buckle that
causes a slicing risk when arms pass across the edge)  Fitting or removing a garment (e.g. a

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star-shaped button on a front placket that creates a sharp point risk when removing the garment
over the head) Risks are greater for the very young who are unable to communicate their
discomfort or take action to remove/eliminate the risk (e.g. consider a zipper on a grow suit
with sharp teeth that cause scratching and abrasions around the neckline, compared to the same
zip issue for an older child’s track top). Sharp points and edges should be identified through a
risk assessment during the product development and approval stages, then eliminated through
re-design, re-engineering or reprocessing. Sharp edges and points can also arise via
contamination during the production process (e.g. Broken needles, pins or staples). It is
important that post-production quality controls are implemented to identify and rectify any
risks introduced through the production process. Sharp edges and sharp points are often
associated with the following:
 Badges, brooches or decorative pins.
 Beads, diamantes, sequins,
 Buttons, studs, rivets
 Zips, zip teeth, zip pullers
 Contamination: Often metallic (e.g. broken needles, pins) but could also be non-metallic
(e.g. nylon Kimble residues)

Strangulation & Entrapment Hazard

Strangulation and entrapment hazards arise through the use of cords, bows or ties used
functionally or as decoration on garments. Long ties and cords have the potential to either wrap
around necks or, for ties used in hoods (for example), to tighten around necks and cause
strangulation. Globally, there are reports of very serious injuries and deaths occurring when
knots, toggles or cordends become snagged or caught into moving parts or closing doors. Ties
and cords with bulky cordends are particularly susceptible to being entrapped, especially when
their length and positioning on garments allows them to hang, drape or swing away from the
body. To address the variety of hazards that arise from the use of cords and ties, consideration
should be given to the following:
 Eliminating functional ties & cords, especially for the younger age groups
 Limiting the length of both functional and non-functional ties and cords
 Securing functional ties so they are unable to be removed. As an example: Bar tack the draw
cord at the centre back of a hood so it will not slide out through the channel.

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 Remove all knots, toggles, aglets etc. from the ends of draw cords to minimise potential
entrapment hazards (NB: Also removes potential choking and ingestion hazards)
 Cords and ties around the neckline are high risk zones for strangulation hazards. Long ties
and cords at the extremities (wrists, ankles) or on waistbands of jackets are high risk zones for
entrapment hazards.

Other Sources of Hazards

The hazards identified as being the most significant and relevant for children’s apparel and
accessories have been covered in detail in other sections. It is worth noting however that there
are numerous other hazards which do not present risks generally for children’s apparel or
accessories. These hazards are listed below as an additional source of reference for risk-
assessments.
Burn hazards: Hazards with the potential to cause injury by heat, friction, chemicals or solar
radiation. Flammability hazards for children’s nightwear are covered by a mandatory standard.
Sun protective fabrics can be tested and assessed according to the standard.
Eye impact hazards: Hazards arising from projectiles (e.g. objects shot or fired, usually from
a toy). The toy standard contains test requirements for projectiles.
Insertion hazards: Hazards arising from children placing small objects into body openings
(e.g. ears, nose, but not the mouth). Small parts create the risk, similar to choking and ingestion
hazards. The toy standard provides methods to assess small parts.
Pinching hazards: Hazards arising from closing mechanisms that can pinch or squeeze the
skin. (e.g. Alligator clips on suspenders, overalls or hair accessories)
Projection hazards: Hazards arising from pieces or components of garments/products which
protrude in a way that could cause them to push-into or penetrate the body. (e.g. long or
elongated buttons or toggles)
Tripping hazards: Hazards arising from parts of garments that can float/sit on or near the feet
(e.g. long belts on robes, draw-cords at/near ankles on pants)

Some examples of small parts are listed below:

- Applique, Badges, Embroidery

- Beads & Jewel Trims
- Bows, Fabric Loops, Hanger Loops, Decorative 3D Motives

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 - Buttons 2.5 Diamantes, Glued & Heat-sealed Decorations
- Drawcords, Functional Ties, Decorative Ties & Sashes
- Metal Trims, Buckles, Rivets & Snaps
- Novelties
- Packaging
- Pom, Poms, Tassels, Fringing, Braids & Plaits
- Sequins
- Zips – Slide Fasteners & Pullers

Applique, Badges, Embroidery

The following is recommended:

 Applique/badges and embroidery should remain attached under the allocated care
instruction, and throughout the life of the product
 Applique/badges and embroidery stitching is to be neat and securely sewn. Stitch type,
density and tension should be controlled to ensure complete enclosure and to avoid potential
finger probing, detachment and loop forming. There should be adequate knotting off to avoid
any unravelling.
 Long loops and threads on internal or external areas of product should be trimmed off.
 The reverse side of an embroidery/applique/badge stitching area should be nonabrasive:
Especially if likely to be in direct contact with the skin. A suitable backing/fusing material may
be required to provide a layer of protection.
 A suitable backing/fusing material may be required to conceal long float threads, knots or
stitching. The backing should completely conceal the stitched area. The backing or fusing
material should be securely attached.
 Backing paper used during the embroidery process should be completely removed.
 Heat-applied or glued items (Appliques, Badges, Backing Fabric, Fusing and Interlining)
should be securely attached. Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions to ensure
effective adhesion.
 The application processes must be consistent throughout production. Ensure that the
attachment methods and critical quality points are adequately controlled to deliver consistency
and reproducibility.

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Beads & Jewel Trims

The following is recommended:

 Beading & Jewel trims should
remain attached under the allocated care
instruction, and throughout the life of the
product
 Claws of jewels should be avoided for
young age groups. When used, claws should
be fully clamped to ensure that they remain
enclosed.
 Beading and jewel trims made from glass,
ceramic, natural materials such as wood &
shell are not recommended because they can
crack and break easily when bitten by young children.
 Machine lock stitching is the recommended form of attachment.
 Hand stitched beads should be back-stitched and knotted off securely to avoid detachment.
 Long loops and threads on internal or external areas of product should be trimmed.
 A suitable backing material may be required to conceal long float threads, knots or stitching
and to fully secure a bead or jewel trim from detaching. For example, backing fabrics may be
required for reinforcement in instances where the base fabric is light weight.
 Consideration should be given to the positioning of beads and jewels that pass across the
face when a garment is removed.

Bows, Fabric Loops, Hanger Loops,

Decorative & 3D Motifs

The following is recommended:

 Bows, fabric loops, decorative and 3D motifs should
remain attached under the allocated care instruction
and throughout the life of the product.

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 Bows and fabric loops should be securely constructed and stitched down so that they do not
unravel.
 Bow ends and ribbon trims to be adequately sealed, or, single/ double turned and stitched
down or bar tacked to prevent fraying.
 Wired ribbon is not recommended because it poses a risk of injury to the child if the wire
protrudes from the fabric.
 Heat sealed ends or laser cut fabrics should not have sharp edges.
 If machine stitching, machine lock stitching is the recommended form of attachment.
 Hand stitched bows, fabric loops or motifs are not recommended for children up to 3. For
hand stitched items above this age group, ensure that the trim is backstitched and secured
thoroughly with stitching knotted off adequately to avoid detachment.
 To maximize the strength of attachment when hand stitching it is recommended that multiple
threads are not passed through the eye of the needle.
 Long loops & threads on internal or external area of product should be trimmed off.
 A suitable backing material may be required to conceal long float threads, knots or stitching.
Backing fabrics are recommended in instances where the base fabric is lightweight &
reinforcement may be necessary to assist in securing attachment.

Buttons

The following is recommended:

 Buttons should remain attached under the
allocated care instruction, and throughout the
life of the product.
 Avoid using buttons that resemble food:
Especially for ages under 3.
 The method of providing/attaching spare
buttons should also be risk assessed.
 Avoid using fusing to support button attachment: Especially for ages under 3.
 Avoid using furry or pile fabrics to cover buttons: Especially for ages under 3.
 Special consideration should be given to the shape and profile of buttons that pass across the
face when a garment is removed.

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Diamantes, Glued & Heat-sealed Decorations

The following is recommended:

 Diamantes and other glued/heat sealed decorations should remain attached under the
allocated care instruction, and throughout the life of the product.
 Avoid using glued/heat-sealed decorations that resemble toys / food: Especially for ages
under 3.
 Special consideration should be given to the appropriate attachment method for uneven
surfaces such as velour, piles, flocked
prints, ribs, brushed and printed fabrics
that may compromise their attachment.
 Avoid glued/heat-sealed decorations
made from glass as they crack and break
easily.
 Avoid glued/heat-sealed decorations
with sharp, rough or burred edges which
may cause injuries.
 Maximum adhesion to be obtained
using the most suitable application
process, it must be consistent throughout
entire production.
 It is recommended that cold, gentle machine/hand wash care is suitable for most glued on
decorations.

Drawcords, Functional Ties,

Decorative Ties & Sashes

The following is recommended:

 Drawstrings should be sewn or
securely attached to the garment at their
midpoint so they cannot be pulled through.

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 Toggles and knots at the ends of drawcords, functional ties and decorative ties are not
recommended as they can create a “hook” or stopper that may get caught in small spaces, or
may become detached causing a choking hazard to young children. Other alternatives for
finishing ends such as sealed ends should be considered.
 Decorative items when attached to drawcords and ties can pose a choking hazard for young
children. Due care in reviewing these accessories should be considered. Refer to the relevant
Risk Assessment Worksheet within the Appendix.
 Functional ties and decorative ties should not be made from elastic. Due to the extensibility
of elastic, there is risk of injury to children of all ages.
 Avoid using drawcords, functional ties and decorative ties around hood/neck area, below the
elbow and below the knee as these pose a high risk of entrapment and tripping hazard to
children. Refer to the High risk zone and medium diagrams below.
 When designing a garment with a sash or tied-belt the width should be no less than 30 mm.
 When halter neck and shoulder ties are tied up their loose ends should be restricted to
minimize the risk of entrapment hazards. Please note that these types of ties have a low risk
associated with strangulation.

Metal Trims, Buckles, Rivets & Snaps

The following is recommended:

 Metal trims, buckles, rivets & snap fasteners
should remain attached under the allocated care instruction, and throughout the life of the
product
 Metal trims, buckles, rivets & snap fasteners should be stitched using adequate stitch tension,
density and formation to prevent detachment. Reinforced treatments should be considered for
light-weight fabrics.
 Backing material may be required as reinforcement when attaching components to light
weight fabrics. The backing material must also be securely attached.
 Metal chain lengths/belts and positioning should be considered to reduce the risk of being
caught on other objects.

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 Prongs on buckles should not protrude beyond the rim of the buckle. Buckle rims should be
indented to allow the prong to lay flush.
 The size & type of the snap fastener should be suited to the fabric weight and thickness.
Validate suitability through the snap supplier.
 Snap fasteners should not be applied over seams or on uneven fabric thickness to minimize
risk of detachment. Appropriate machine settings in manufacturing must be used to
accommodate fabric thickness.
 After production: It is highly recommended that products are inspected for any detached,
loose or broken snap fasteners.

Novelties

The following is recommended:

 A novelty item should remain attached under the
allocated care instruction and throughout the life of the
product.
 As the complexity and variety of design options is
limitless in this space: Only a general safety overview is provided in these guidelines.
 The true value of conducting a “comprehensive risk assessment” is demonstrated for novelty
items.

Packaging

The following is recommended:

 At no time should plastic bags have a drawstring or
cord that constricts/closes the end of a bag
 Use non recycled materials for plastic bags to avoid
chemical contamination.
 Novelty packaging (i.e. ‘gift with purchase ‘ that
looks and functions like a toy) needs to meet relevant
standards.

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Pom Poms, Tassels, Fringing, Braids & Plaits

The following is recommended:

 Pom Poms, Tassels, Fringing, Braids and Plaits
should remain attached under the allocated care
instruction and throughout the life of the product.
 Machine stitching is recommended. Lock stitching
is the recommended form of attachment.  Hand
stitched pom poms, tassels, fringing, braids or plaits
should be backstitched and secured thoroughly with
stitching knotted-off adequately to avoid detachment.
 To maximise the strength of attachment when hand
stitching it is recommended that multiple threads are
not passed through the eye of the needle.
 Long loops & threads on internal or external area of
product should be trimmed off.

Sequins

The following is recommended:

 Sequin trims should remain attached
under the allocated care instruction, and
throughout the life of the product
 Machine stitching is preferred. Lock
stitching is the recommended form of
attachment
 Hand stitched Sequins should be back-
stitched and secured thoroughly with stitching knotted off adequately to avoid detachment.
 Long loops and threads on internal or external areas of product should be trimmed off.

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 A suitable backing material may be required to conceal long float threads, knots or stitching
and to fully secure the sequin from detaching. For example, backing fabrics may be required
for reinforcement in instances where the base fabric is light weight.
 Backing fabric or fusing must be secure to ensure that they are not removed easily.
 Sequins used in conjunction with ties or cords should be considered with reference to the
guidelines on Drawstring, Functional Cords & Decorative ties as set out within this document.
 Consideration should be given to the positioning of sequins that pass across the face when a
garment is removed.
 Consideration should be given to the positioning of sequins at armhole, leg and neck
openings for comfort & movement
 Glued sequins, please refer to the Diamantes, Glued and heat sealed decorations feature
section.

Zips, Slide Fasteners & Pullers

The following is recommended:

 Slide fasteners/Pullers should remain attached
under the allocated care instruction, and throughout
the life of the product.
 Avoid using zip pullers that resemble food for
children under the age of 3 years.
 Where zippers come in contact with the skin, a
zipper guard or facing is recommended.
 It is recommended that the zip puller is attached to
the slider so that it cannot be pulled free by using a twisting or straight force.
 It is preferred that the zip pullers are constructed as part of the main body of the zip slider.
 Zip pullers made from rubber or other natural material such as wood are not recommended
because they can crack and break easily.
 Ensure channel stoppers are fully effective in preventing the zip slider from detaching and
becoming a small part.
 Metal top stoppers on slide fasteners must be firmly clamped.
 Top and bottom stops should prevent zipper slider/zipper head from detachment

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If the trim or component can fit within the small parts cylinder shown above, the item is
considered a potential choking hazard. It is therefore, standard policy for all small parts
intended for children 36 months and under to withstand a 90N pull force.

Guide Line for Safety Children’s Garments:

Each year there are a number of customer complaints due to injury or potential hazard caused
by metal fragments found in garments. These include parts of needles, hand sew needles,
staples, pins, knitting needles and even stray clippers found within the product.

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Major Safety Measures are to be taken from-

Flammability
Flammability is a primary safety concern with children's sleepwear. Federal regulations require
sleepwear for children 9 months or older to be flame-resistant or snug-fitting. Sleepwear not
meeting one of these criteria is associated with about 300 child burn injuries treated in an
emergency room annually. Garments are considered flame-resistant when made from a
naturally flame-retardant material--not requiring chemical treatment--that doesn't continue to
burn once removed from a flame. Snug-fitting sleepwear is considered safe because there are
no loose flaps of fabric to come into contact with a flame and because the fabric's proximity to
the body limits the oxygen beneath a flame that fuels it. Safe children's sleepwear is usually
labelled flame-resistant or snug-fitting to meet federal regulations on a hangtag.
Clothing flammability is the speed at which clothes catch fire and the rate that they burn once
alight.

Flammability of clothing depends on:

1 - The fibers
Cotton and rayon generally burn more easily.
Synthetic fibers such as nylon are a somewhat lower risk; however, these fibers will melt and
stick to skin.
Fabrics made from animal hair, pure silk or pure wool have flame resistant properties. This
means that they are more difficult to set on fire, however, they will burn once ignited.
Flame retardant fabrics are made from plant fibres that are chemically treated. They take longer
to ignite but will eventually catch fire and are not ‘fire-proof’. They will extinguish themselves
once the flame source is removed. These are the types of fabrics fire fighters use.

2 - Pile or nap
Pile or nap surfaces have very loose fibers, with significant air space between them e.g. Fluffy
and fuzzy fabrics, faux fur, chenille, corduroy, velvet and tassels. This type of surface ignites
easily and the flames spread quickly across the brushed surfaces.

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3 - Weave or weight
In general, heavier fabrics with a tighter weave have a higher flame resistance and are slower
to burn.

4 - Clothing design
Long, loose fitting clothing, such as nightgowns, are more dangerous than close-fitting
clothing, as they can swing away from the body and make contact with a flame.

Precautions to use for flammable hazards –

• Look for the low fire danger label when buying sleepwear and clothing for your child
and avoid buying sleepwear and clothing with the high fire danger label.
• Avoid buying lose sleepwear and clothing which could catch alight easily. Instead,
choose close-fitting clothing.
• Keep your child away from fires, radiators, heaters, BBQs, candles, lighters and
matches.
• Use guards around fires, radiators and heaters.
• If you make your own children’s sleepwear and clothing, look at the safety warnings
on patterns. Do not choose fabrics which are fluffy, fuzzy or have loose dangling tassels
and avoid using lightweight material.
• If your child’s clothing does catch on fire, tell them to: STOP, DROP, COVER face
and ROLL.

Drawstrings
Neck-area drawstrings on children's clothing, such as those found on some jackets and hooded
sweatshirts, are a strangulation hazard. Buying garments without neck-area drawstrings or
removing them completely from children's clothing items. These drawstrings can get caught
on cribs, playground equipment or fences, which can result in strangulation. Waist-level
drawstrings, including those found at the bottom of upper-body clothing and those found
around the waist of lower-body clothing, can also be a safety risk since they can get caught in
car doors, bus doors or on other moving objects. Risk is greatest with waist-level drawstrings
more than 3 inches long. Children's upper outerwear have alternative closures, such as snaps,

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buttons, Velcro, and elastic. Manufacturers and retailers should provide upper outerwear with
these alternative closures, rather than drawstrings at the head and neck area.

(Preferred Upper out wear alternatives)

Top5 Draw String hazards

• Long cords in hoods or around the neck of children’s clothing present a risk of
strangulation or hanging of the child.
• Elastic cords near the face of a child represent a risk of injuries to the eyes or teeth
if the cod is caught and slaps back to hit the child.
• Long strings, particularly in the back of children’s clothes, present a risk of serious
injury as they may get trapped in the doors of vehicles, when the child alights
causing the child to be dragged or pulled along with the vehicle.
• Long sashes, tied belts or cords or drawstrings around the waist area present a risk of
the child being trapped during play.
• Long cords or drawstrings trailing below the sleeves or lower hems of children’s
clothes represent a risk of injuries during play or bicycling as they may become entan
gled and cause the child to fall.

A- Hood and neck

Cords or drawstrings in hoods or around the neck on garments for children up to 7 years pose
a risk for strangulation if the string gets caught around the neck of the child while sleeping.

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Long cords or drawstrings with free ends in hoods or around the neck on clothes for children
between 7 and 14 years pose a risk for hanging if they become trapped e.g. in playground
equipment during play

Loose ends in the neck on halter neck style children’s clothes can get entrapped during play
and cause strangulation.

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B- Chest and Waist
Long cords or drawstrings in the chest or around the waist can get entrapped during play and
cause injuries when the child falls.

Tied belts or sashes that are too long can get entangled in playground equipment or when the
child bicycles, causing serious injuries when the child falls

C- Back
Cords or strings emerging from the back of the garment or intended to be tied on the back can
get entrapped in doors of vehicles when the child alights, so the child is seriously injured when
dragged along after the vehicle.

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D- Cords or drawstrings trailing below the garment.
Cords or drawstrings hanging below the sleeves can get entangled during play or in doors so
that the child falls and gets injured.

Cords or drawstrings hanging below the lower hem or cords or drawstrings trailing at the
bottom hem of long-legged trousers that hang outside the garment are dangerous because the
can get entangled during bicycling or play so the child falls and gets injured.

E- Other parts of the garment.

Long cords or drawstrings in other parts of children’s clothes are dangerous because the can
get entangled during play so the child falls and gets injured.

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F-General
Three-dimensional objects or knots at the end of cords and drawstrings increase the risk that
the string is trapped e.g. in playground equipment.

Choking Hazards

For infants and toddlers, small, detachable pieces on clothing items present a choking hazard,
notes Consumer Reports. Snaps, buttons, zipper heads, bows, rhinestones and other decorative
appliques are all a concern. Small pieces are best avoided whenever possible on young
children's clothing, and parents should routinely check clothing with small pieces to make sure
they are securely attached.

Shoelaces, ribbons and other dangling clothing attachments pose the same risks associated with
drawstrings. Velcro is a safer alternative for securing shoes on toddlers. Lead in the paint on
children's clothing and footwear is a safety concern. Fortunately, federal regulatory attention
has focused on this problem recently. Loosely-knitted fabrics, seams and loose threads can
wrap around a baby's digits or limbs, posing a risk of circulation being cut off. Check clothing
frequently, and opt for tightly-woven garments. Skin can get caught in zippers, so these
mechanisms are best avoided on young children's clothing. Metal objects, such as snaps and
zippers, can become dangerously hot and potentially burn a child, particularly when left in the

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sun, near a heating unit or when put into a dryer, so it's best to avoid metal components on
children's clothing as well.

There are two essential elements to compliance-

Prevention – taking all reasonable steps possible to make sure no stray metal can contaminate
the product.

Detection – used as an additional check to ensure the safety of the product.

Compliance with the metal contamination policy requires a management-led commitment of
no compromise and an education of the operatives. Factory managers should begin by carrying
out an assessment of the potential risks of metal contamination presented by the nature of their
production.

To prevent any kind of chocking in children from clothing, one must-

• Take all the drawstrings and cords out of your child’s clothes.
• Don’t let your child wear a scarf or helmet when they play on playground equipment.
• Check that belts, ties, and sashes are firmly attached to clothing and are not long enough
to wrap around your child’s neck.
• Take the hoods off your child’s clothes or make sure the hood will come off if it catches
on something. Hoods attached with Velcro® are best.
• Check that buttons and other small parts are firmly attached to clothing and won’t come
loose.
• Make sure that blankets and sleepers don’t have any loose threads. Threads can wrap
around fingers and can cut off blood supply.

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2. Inflammable Clothing (Fire Resisting Clothing)

Flash fires and explosions are common hazards at a variety of workplaces. These hazards are
present in work areas where flammable materials are handled, processed, stored, or in any way
present. In the petrochemical industry for example, flash fire can occur at well head sites,
collection points, compressor stations, refineries, and petrochemical and plastic plants.
In such areas, the potential exists for developing an explosive atmosphere capable of injuring
or killing workers and causing extensive property damage.
Industrial flash fires and explosions result from the accidental release and ignition of flammable
fuels. The size and duration of the flame that results from this ignition is determined by the
amount of fuel available, the efficiency of combustion, and the environmental and physical
characteristics of the site of the flash fire or explosion. The temperatures attained by flash fires
have been estimated to range from 550 to 10500 C, although higher temperatures are believed
to occur. Even the lowest estimated temperature exceeds the temperature at which most regular
clothing fabrics burst into flames.

Fire resistant clothing

Protection against burns due to flash fires can be provided by lightweight clothing made of
materials that look, feel, and wear like regular work clothes. Worn as the outermost layer, such
protective clothing reduces the severity of burn injuries and increases the likelihood of survival
in the event of a flash fire or explosion.
This specialized fire resistant or fire retardant (FR) clothing is intended to protect workers from
exposure to intense heat and flame for short periods of time. An altogether different type of
protective clothing is required for situations where exposure to intense heat is frequent, normal,
and of extended duration.
FR clothing is unique because when exposed to high heat and flame for short periods of time,
it does not burn, it does not melt, and it shields the clothing worn beneath it from the intense
heat of the flame. FR fabrics are either inherently flame resistant — the fibres are of a material
that itself does not burn — or are made of materials that undergo some type of treatment so
that they are made non-flammable. Wool and leather are two naturally flame-resistant materials
that are appropriate in some work situations.

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While natural wool is not entirely non-flammable, it is self-extinguishing and therefore has
some inherent flame resistance.

Other important performance characteristics

FR clothing must be properly selected for the tasks performed, the hazards associated with
these tasks, and the work environment in which the tasks are performed i.e. hot, cold, clean,
dirty.
The final selection of FR clothing is often based on properties or characteristics other than the
clothing’s fire resistance. These other factors include-
(1) Resistance to chemicals.
(2) Resistance to abrasion.
(3) Ability to resist build-up of static charge.
(4) Ability to act as a barrier to liquids and soils encountered at the workplace.
(5) worker comfort i.e. fit, feel, warmth, coolness — a particular trade name of fabric is often
available in a variety of different thicknesses, affecting the clothing’s fit, feel, breathability,
and temperature characteristics. The clothing should cover as much of the body as possible.
Clothing worn beneath FR clothing should not become exposed when bending, reaching, or
crouching.
(6) Degree of use i.e. continuous, intermittent.
(7) Frequency of washing and cleaning required to maintain clothing performance.

Inappropriate clothing materials

Most of the clothing fabrics traditionally used for outerwear are inappropriate for use around
flash fire and explosion hazards. Untreated cotton, polyester, nylon, and polycot ton blends are
such examples. Untreated cotton has a very low ignition temperature of approximately 250o C
and burns intensely and rapidly. Untreated polyesters and nylons ignite easily (250 - 350o C)
and melt readily.

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Nylon is also particularly prone to static build-up and is a recognized ignition source. Polycot
ton blends combine the worst characteristics of both polyester and cotton. Clothing worn
beneath FR clothing and against the skin should be made of FR fabrics or natural fibres that do
not melt. Appropriate natural fibres include wool, silk, and cotton.

Maintaining FR clothing
To retain the clothing’s original FR characteristics, it should be cleaned as specified by the
manufacturer. FR clothing loses its effectiveness if the fabric is soiled with dirt and oily
residues. Cleaning helps to return the clothing to its original condition but must be done as
recommended by the manufacturer. The build-up of detergent and mineral residues in and on
the fabric can compromise the fabric’s effectiveness. One of the most common ways to destroy
the special properties of treated FR clothing is to use bleach during laundering.
Any tears or other damage must be repaired promptly so that the clothing maintains its
protective qualities. FR fabric patches and FR thread must be used as repair materials. Once
again, the manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed when clothing is repaired.

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3. Heavy Industrial Clothing Hazard-

When working in any type of facility with moving equipment, it is important to make safety a
priority. While some dangers are obvious, others are often overlooked and can result in
significant injuries. One example of this is working near moving machinery with loose
clothing. Whether it is an un-tucked shirt, a tie, an unbuttoned jacket or even loose shoelaces,
these things can get caught in the moving machinery and pull individuals into harm’s way.

Protective clothing
Overalls
Full-length overalls which button at the neck and wrists should be worn. Trouser cuffs should
be worn outside boots.

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Waterproof apron
Where splashing may occur, such as in dog dipping, a full-length waterproof PVC apron and
rubber boots should be worn.

Washable hat
A wide-brimmed hat will stop pesticide getting on to the operator's hair and then into his/her
body. The hat should be made of washable material so it can be cleaned easily after use.

PVC gloves
Gauntlet-type PVC gloves are required. These are gloves which cover the arm to just below
the elbow as well as covering the hand.
Some types of gloves deteriorate quickly in contact with pesticides and must be checked
regularly for cracks, especially between the fingers. Cracked gloves should not be used for
spraying.

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Boots
Only PVC boots in good condition should be worn. If the boots are damaged or cracked,
chemical can soak into the material and be absorbed into the body through the feet. If chemical
has soaked into the boots or they are cracked or damaged they must be replaced.

Thorough cleaning of boots is very important and should be done properly. Boots should also
be inspected regularly for any signs of damage or cracks.

Care and maintenance of protective clothing

All protective clothing should be inspected frequently and regularly to make sure it is clean
and in good working order.
The operator must put on all of the required protective clothing before the spraying operation
starts. At the end of every spraying operation all protective clothing should be thoroughly
washed, rinsed and allowed to dry in an airy environment. Protective clothing should be washed
on its own and not with other clothing.
If spraying is to be done on two or more days in a row, protective clothing should be washed
at the end of each day's spraying operation.

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CONCLUSION
For consumers care symbols make sense when they can understand and follow the instructions.
Symbols should provide the same information to everyone without language barriers. Use of
symbols allow for smaller and more comfortable care labels. Smaller labels also cost less and
this could translate into consumer savings. The symbols are easy to understand with few basic
symbols. For manufacturers care symbols make even more sense.

When harmonized with other countries, symbols will allow participation in a global
marketplace where symbols will clearly communicate the same information in all countries.
Smaller labels cost less to buy or manufacture and also cost less to inventory. Eliminating the
need for different labels for different countries can further reduce total inventory. So all the
manufacturers should attach care labelling instructions to the garment for the benefit of the
consumers and to keep their brands at a higher position.

Due to globalization and liberalization processes it becomes more relevant for the garment
manufactures to use care labelling systems in the apparel. It is also very much essential for the
garment manufacturers to make awareness campaign regarding the utility of care labels for the
consumers. However, while applying the care labels it is very important for the garment
manufacturers to understand the comfort criteria of care labels.

Chemicals, toxins, impurities and contaminants are the hidden hazards in textile production, as
these are invisible, often odourless and generally difficult to detect and understand. Research
into the effects of certain chemicals and the determination of what levels should be considered
hazardous is ongoing. There inconsistent regulations internationally regarding acceptable
limits and whether negative consequences outweigh the utility of certain chemicals, especially
in view of substitution with less studied substances.

Therefore standards currently vary between regions. The more stringent regulations and bans
are in place in Europe and North America. Generally young children are more vulnerable to
chemical hazards. Their bodies, internal organs and major physiological systems are still
developing. Metabolic, immunological, hormonal and reproductive systems are immature and
more vulnerable to toxins. Innate behaviour such as sucking and frequent hand to mouth contact
means they ingest substances present in their immediate surroundings.

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REFERENCES

1.IS 14452: 1997, Textiles – Care Labelling Code Using Symbols, Indian Standard.
2.ASTM D 5489 – 98, Standard Guide for Care Symbols for Care Instructions on Textile
Products.
3.ISO 3758: 1991 Textiles – Care Labelling Code Using Symbols.
4.Deadlock on Care Labelling, Textile Horizons, August1985.
5. Care Labelling: A New Regulation Takes Effect. Textile Chemist & Colorist, Jan’1984
6. Care Labelling-By Dr M V S Rao.
7.Managing Quality in the Apparel Industry – By P V Mehta & S K Bhardwaj.
8.http://www.apparelsearch.com/care_label_symbols.htm
9.http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5556.html
10.http://www.textileaffairs.com/lguide.htm
11. http://www.apparelkey.com/apparelkey/document/cate3/3.7.4/Japanese_CL_01.htm
12.Transition.accc.gov.au
13. Web.ita.doc.gov
14. Tbbs.org.tt
15.http://www.nra.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Children-s-Apparel-Accessories-
Product-Safety-Guidelines-Apr-2015-.pdf

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