care labels
TRANSCRIPT
Care Labeling
Caring about the consumerbeyond the label
Your ChallengesCare labels provide guidelines to consumers and apparel caregivers about the best cleaning procedures to be used for that particular combination of fabric, thread, decoration and construction techniques. Following the instructions on the care labels provide assurance that the appearance and fit of the garment will be maintained after repeated cleaning treatments.
As manufacturers, importers and retailers, your brand value is dependent on each product’s appearance. How do you ensure that care labels placed on your product are understandable for consumers and apparel caregivers, while simultaneously meeting the national and international requirements trade?
Our SolutionsMany countries have mandatory or voluntary standards for care label instructions that apply to either apparel or soft home furnishing products:
U.S.A : Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods as AmendedEurope: Textiles - Care Labeling Code Using SymbolsCanada: Care Labeling of TextilesAustralia: Textiles - Care LabelingJapan: Care Labeling of Textile Goods
American Care LabelingAccording to the Federal Trade Commission’s Care Label Rule, care labels may be composed of either words or words and symbols. Whether composed of words or words and symbols, care instructions are to appear in the following order of use:
1. Machine Wash/Hand Wash 2. Washing Temperature (hot/warm/cold) 3. Washing Cycle (delicate/permanent press/normal) 4. Bleaching Instruction (do not bleach/only non-chlorine bleach). Not required if both chlorine and non-chlorine bleach can be used. 5. Drying Instruction – (tumble dry/high/medium/low, line dry, flat dry, drip dry) 6. Ironing (do not iron/cool iron/warm iron/hot iron). Ironing instructions are not mandatory if the item is not expected to be ironed. 7. Cautions (wash separately, wash before wearing, etc.) 8. Dryclean (cycle/solvent)
In addition to the care label instructions, manufacturers and retailers must provide labels that:
1. Are permanently attached so they can be easily seen at point of sale. If the product is packaged, displayed or folded so that customers cannot find the label, care information must also appear on the side of the package or on a hang tag. 2. Remain permanently attached and legible for the useful life of the product. 3. Provide care instructions for ordinary use of the garment. 4. Warn about what would harm the garment.
American Care Labeling
ASTM Guide To Care Symbols
Wash
Iron
Dryclean
Bleach
Dry
P FA
Note: This figure illustrates the symbols to use for laundering and drycleaning instructions. As a minimum, laundering instructions should include, in order, four symbols: washing, bleaching, drying and ironing; drycleaning instructions shall include one symbol. Additional words may be used to clarify the instructions.
Dryclean - Normal Cycle Dryclean - Additional Instructions
Iron-dry or Steam
Maximum Temperature
Tumble Dry Cycles
Machine Wash Cycles
Water Temperatures
Tumble Dry Heat Setting
Normal Permanent Press Delicate/Gentle
Normal Permanent Press Delicate/Gentle Line Dry/Hang to Dry
Do Not Wash
Do Not Bleach
Do Not Iron
Do Not Dry(used with do
not wash)
Do Not Tumble Dry
No Steam (added to iron)
In the Shade (added to line dry, drip dry or
flat dry)
Hand Wash
(Maximum)Symbol(s)
(200F)95C 70C 60C 50C 40C 30C
(160F) (140F) (120F) (105F)(65F-85F)
Warning symbols for laundering
Additional Instructions (in symbols or words)
200C(390F)High
110C(230F)Low
150C(300F)
Medium
AnySolvent
Any Solvent Except Trichloroethylene
PetroleumSolvent Only
Do Not Dryclean
ShortCycle
ReduceMoisture
No Steam Finishing
LowHeat
Any BleachWhen Needed
Any Heat High Medium Low No Heat/Air
Drip Dry Dry Flat
Only Non-Chlorine Bleach When Needed
Do Not Wring
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. For more information, see www.ginetex.net.
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.
maximum temperature 40 C* hand wash only
* maximum temperature 95 C normal process
iron at a maximum sole plate temperature of 200 C
iron at a maximum sole plate temperature of 150 C
do not iron
iron at a maximum sole plate temperature of 110 C steam-ironing may cause irreversible damage
professional dry cleaning in tetrachloroethene and all solvents listed for the symbol F normal process
professional dry cleaning in tetrachloroethene and all solvents listed for the symbol F mild process
professional dry cleaning in hydrocarbons (distillation temperature between 150 C and 210 C, flash point between 38 C and 70 C)normal process
professional dry cleaning in hydrocarbons (distillation temperature between 150 C and 210 C, flash point between 38 C and 70 C)mild process
professional wet cleaning normal process
professional wet cleaning mild process
professional wet cleaning very mild process
tumble drying possible normal temperature
tumble drying possible drying at lower temperature
do not tumble dry
do not dry clean
* maximum temperature 95 C mild process
* maximum temperature 60 C normal process
* maximum temperature 60 C mild process
* maximum temperature 50 C mild process
* maximum temperature 40 C normal process
* maximum temperature 40 C mild process
* maximum temperature 40 C very mild process
* maximum temperature 30 C very mild process
* Note: The symbols most popularly used in the U.K.
do not wash
any oxidizing bleaching agent allowed
only oxygen / non-chlorine bleach allowed
do not bleach / no bleach
Symbol
Symbol
Symbol
Symbol
SymbolWashing Process
Bleaching Process
Ironing Process
Textile Care Process
Drying Process
Note: ISO 3758 has not been amended to show the change in the ‘Do Not Bleach’ symbol. For a period of time both blackened and line versions of the symbols will be in use.
Japanese Care Labeling
Japanese care instructions, like other care label systems, must be in a specified order. This order is washing, bleaching, ironing, dry-cleaning, wringing, and drying.
1. The word ‘ ’ indicates that neutral detergent should be used.
2. The symbol ‘ ’ indicates that clothes ironed should be covered with another cloth.
3. The sentence ‘ ’ indicates that a net should be used.
95
60
4030
30
40
Washable - maximum temperature 95 C
Machine washable - maximum temperature 60 C
Machine washable - maximum temperature 40 C
Machine washable - with slow water current or gently by hand - maximum temperature of 40 C
Ironed at high temperature(between 180 C - 210 C)
Ironed at medium temperature(between 140 C - 160 C)
Can be dry-cleaned. Use solvent of perchloroethylene or petroleum - based matter
Can be dry-cleanedUse petroleum - based solvent
Wrung gently Cannot be wrung
Cannot be ironed
Cannot be dry-cleaned
Ironed at low temperature(between 80 C - 120 C)
Chlorine-based bleaching allowed Do not use chlorine-based bleach
Machine washable - with slow water current or gently by hand - maximum temperature of 30 C
Gently hand wash only - maximum temperature 30 C
Cannot be washed with water
Hung and drip - dried Laid down to dry
Laid down to dry in the shadeHung and drip - dried in the shade
1. Symbols should be arranged from left to right according to the following sequence
2. For colored products which are not usually bleached, the symbol for possibility of chlorine bleach may be omitted.3. For products which are not usually ironed, the symbols for ironing may be omitted (Except cannot be ironed).4. For products which can be washed with water, the symbols for dry-cleaning may be omitted. (Except cannot be dry-cleaned).5. The symbols should be either in black or dark blue whereas the prohibition symbols are in red on a white background.
30
40
Attached remarks
Washing (with water)
Possibility of chlorine bleaching
Ironing
Dry-cleaning
Wringing
Drying
Labeling method
40
Canadian Care Labeling
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. The new standard is harmonized with the American and international standards for care labeling using five basic symbols which must appear in the sequence: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, professional textile care. Any additional information must appear in English and French.
Do Not Wash
Tumble Dry Cycles
Heat Setting
No Steam (added to iron)
PetroleumSolvent Only
Do Not Dry-clean
Do Not Iron or Press
Iron-Dry or Steam
P F
200 C(390F)High
110 C(230F)Low
150 C(300F)
Medium
Wash
Iron
ProfessionalTextile Care
Bleach
Dry
W
Machine Wash Cycles
Normal Permanent Press Delicate/Gentle Hand Wash
Dry-clean - Normal Cycle
Any Solvent Except Trichloroethylene
Do Not Dry(used with do
not wash)
Do Not Tumble Dry
Any Heat High Medium Low No Heat/Air
Drip Dry In the Shade
Normal Permanent Press Delicate/Gentle Line Dry/Hang to Dry
Dry Flat
Any BleachWhen Needed
Only Non-Chlorine Bleach When Needed
Do Not Bleach
(Maximum)Symbol(s)
(200F)95 C 70 C 60 C 50 C 40 C 30 C
(160F) (140F) (120F) (105F) (65F-85F)Water Temperatures
Do Not Wring
Wet-Clean
Do Not Wet-Clean
Guide to Apparel Care Symbols
Australian Care Labeling
Permanent Care Label RequirementThe wording of the label shall be in English and clearly legible.
A. Position of label attachment must be “clearly visible” or “accessible”.
B. For articles which are packaged, displayed or folded in such a way that the information is inaccessible, an extra care label must be given on a wing ticket or adhesive label, or in a pamphlet accompanying the articles.
C. For a label sewn in more than one side, the label shall have similar shrinkage characteristics to the base fabric.
D. For an adhesive label, it should not produce any bubbling or delamination when the garment is subject to cleansing treatment.
The labeling system consists of:
1. Washing temperature (cold, warm, hot, very hot, boil)
2. Agitation (hand wash, short machine wash, gentle machine wash, machine wash) Note: Where appropriate, phrases stating washing temperature and agitation may be combined to form a concise phrase, e.g. warm hand wash, hot machine.
3. *Drying method (may be tumble dried - cold/warm/hot, drip dry, dry flat, line dry)
4. Bleaching instruction
5. *Ironing (do not iron, cool, warm, hot, steam)
6. Drycleaning methods are expressed in symbol as listed below:
Dryclean in any solvent normally used for drycleaning.
Dryclean in perchloroethylene, white spirit or fluorocarbons as normally used in drycleaning.
Dryclean in accordance with but with restricted water amount or mechanical action or temperature during cleaning or drying.
Dryclean in white spirit or Trifluorotrichloroethane.
Dryclean in accordance with but with restricted water amount or mechanical action or temperature during cleaning or drying.
Do not dryclean.
These symbols are to be used in conjunction with the phrase (Drycleanable / Dryclean only/ Drycleaning recommended).
A
P
F
F
P
P
F
Chinese Care Labeling
National Textile Base Standard Technical Sub-committee discussed and voted for revision of GB/T 8685 in the Huangshan annual technical meeting in April 2008. An updated standard GB/T 8685-2008 is issued and is effective from 1 March 2009.
A permanence label shall include symbols of washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional cleaning in sequence. Sufficient and appropriate symbols shall be used to ensure garment would not be damaged during cleaning process.
- Maximum washing temperature 40 C - Hand wash
- Maximum washing temperature 95 C - Normal process
- Hang dry
- Hang and drip dry
- Flat dry
- Flat and drip dry
- Hang dry away from the direct sunlight exposure
- Hang and drip dry away from the direct sunlight exposure
- Flat dry away from the direct sunlight exposure
- Flat and drip dry away from the direct sunlight exposure
- Tumble dry - Maximum exhaust temperature: 80 C
- Tumble dry - Maximum exhaust temperature: 60 C
- Do not tumble dry
- Maximum washing temperature 70 C - Normal process
- Maximum washing temperature 60 C - Normal process
- Maximum washing temperature 60 C - Mild process
- Maximum washing temperature 50 C - Normal process
- Maximum washing temperature 50 C - Mild process
- Maximum washing temperature 40 C - Normal process
- Maximum washing temperature 40 C - Mild process
- Maximum washing temperature 30 C - Normal process
- Maximum washing temperature 40 C - Very mild process
- Maximum washing temperature 30 C - Mild process
- Maximum washing temperature 30 C - Very mild process
- Do not wash
Symbol Washing Process
Symbol Natural Air Dry
Symbol Tumble Dry
Symbol Bleaching
- Any bleaching agent allowed
- Only oxygen / non-chlorine bleach allowed
- Do not bleach
Chinese Care Labeling
Symbol Iron
Symbol Textile Care Process
- Iron at a maximum sole plate temperature of 200 C
- Iron at a maximum sole plate temperature of 150 C
- Do not iron
- Iron at a maximum sole plate temperature of 110 C - Steam-ironing may cause irreversible damage
- Professional drycleaning in tetrachloroethene and all solvents listed for the symbol F - Normal process
- Professional drycleaning in tetrachloroethene and all solvents listed for the symbol F - Mild process
- Professional drycleaning in hydrocarbons (distillation temperature between 150 C ~ 210 C, flash point between 38 C ~ 70 C)- Normal process
- Professional drycleaning in hydrocarbons (distillation temperature between 150 C ~ 210 C, flash point between 38 C ~ 70 C)- Mild process
- Professional wet cleaning - Normal process
- Professional wet cleaning - Mild process
- Professional wet cleaning - Very mild process
- Do not dryclean
Regional Contacts
Asia Pacific2/F, Garment Centre, 576 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, ChinaTel: +852 2173 8888 Fax: +852 2786 1903
North America2107 Swift Drive, Ste 200, Oak Brook, Illinois, 60523 USATel: +1 630 481 3111 Fax: +1 630 481 3101
Latin America8300 N.W. 53 rd Street, Suite 400, Miami, Florida, 33166 USATel: +1 305 513 3000 Fax: +1 305 513 2856
Europe, Africa, Middle EastECOPARC 2, 27400 Heudebouville, FranceTel: +33 2 32 09 36 36 Fax: +33 2 32 09 36 37
For Further Information
Email: [email protected]: www.intertek.com/consumergoods
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