Care Labelling
In many countries across the world it is compulsory to include care instructions on a textile product. Even in regions where care information is not required by law, it is highly recommended that information about how to care for the product is provided. Brands can be held responsible for the cost of repair or replacement if the consumer, having undertaken a reasonable cleaning process, damages a product. A recent survey revealed that 84% of UK consumers would never or rarely buy clothing that did not contain care information.
Care symbols provide your customer with the succinct information they need to take proper care of their garments and can alleviate the need to multi-translate care information for your destination markets. We would always recommend the use of GINETEX symbols – the system used throughout Europe as well in many other countries across the world. UKFT members are eligible to receive market specific advice.
Find out more about what’s included and how to join or upgrade your membership to include the Care Labelling Licence and Support Package.
Get a care label licence
Available Resources
- GINETEX Technical Booklet 2023 (Member only)
- GINETEX World Map (Member only)
-
UKFT Guide to Triman labelling and waste management of textile products in France (Member only)
-
UKFT Guide to French Decree 2022-748 Environmental Labelling (Member only)
-
UKFT Guide to global EPR textile and packaging obligations and labelling (Member only)
- UKFT Guide to Garment Labelling in the EU post Brexit (Member only)
- And many more get in touch with the team for full list of member accessible resources
Please get in touch, stating the resource title, to request access.
Request access
ISO 3758 for Textiles
UK fashion and textile brands and retailers selling their own label can get a licence to use the GINETEX symbols, which ISO 3758:2023 is based on, through UKFT.
ISO 3758:2023 establishes a system of graphic symbols, intended for use in the marking of textile articles, and for providing information on the most severe treatment that does not cause irreversible damage to the article during the textile care process, and specifies the use of these symbols in care labelling.
ISO 3758:2023 is based on the GINETEX care labelling system. ISO 3758 specifically acknowledges GINETEX’s ownership of the trademarks in the Introduction to the standard as well as in Annex B of the Standard. The GINETEX care symbols are registered trademarks in over 80 countries, including the UK and all major European markets. UK fashion and textile brands and retailers selling their own label must have a licence to use the symbols, which is available through UKFT.
The following domestic treatments are covered: washing, bleaching, drying and ironing. Professional textile care treatments in dry and wet cleaning, but excluding industrial laundering, are also covered. However, it is recognised that information imparted by the domestic symbols will also be of assistance to the professional cleaner and launderer.
ISO 3758:2023 applies to all textile articles in the form in which they are supplied to the end user.
Fibre Content
Fibre content labelling in apparel and textiles is mandatory in the UK and across the EU as laid down in the 2012 Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations. The basis of these Regulations is that the label must include information on the main fibre types used and their percentages – for example wool 80%, cotton 20%. The information given must be understandable by a consumer in the market in to which you are selling. It is not sufficient just to use English if you are exporting to the EU. A Guidance Note to these Regulations is available to download.
Separate Regulations exist dealing with footwear. A copy of the Guidance Notes on Footwear Labelling is available to download.
Virtually all key export markets have a legal requirement to include fibre content labelling. However, the law in each country can vary. UKFT can provide members with the latest information on the legal requirements in all markets.
Available Resources
- 2012 Textile Labelling Regulations Guidance
- Footwear Labelling – A Guidance Note
Please get in touch, stating the resource title, to request access.
Request access
Country of Origin
‘Made In…’ labelling is a legal requirement in the some EU member states, but not in the UK. However, it is necessary to have an origin label if, without such a label, the consumer could be misled as to the true origin of the garment. For instance, if a garment carried the British flag on it but it was made in Hong Kong, then the garment should include a label to that effect.
Fraudulent origin labelling is illegal.
Other markets have different legal requirements when it comes to origin labelling. Incorrect labelling can result in goods being refused entry or even destroyed. UKFT can advise members on the latest requirements.
Available Resources
- UKFT Guide to Garment Labelling in the EU post Brexit (Member only)
- Footwear Labelling – A Guidance Note
Please get in touch, stating the resource title, to request access.
Request access
Importer & Brand Details
A growing number of markets both in the EU and further afield require garments to be labelled with the name and address of the importer or brand. For specific details, members should contact the team at UKFT.
Labelling and the Environment – Clevercare
Brands, retailers and consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of looking after clothing.
- 81% of EU consumers want to reduce energy and water use
- 72% know they can make an impact during the cleaning process
- 87% consumers try to wash in an environmentally friendly way
- 65% actively choose to wash at a lower temperature
In response to this GINETEX has developed CLEVERCARE the eco-care logo to encourage & educate the consumer to extend the life of garments and to reduce the impact of cleaning on the climate.
The five key messages are:
- Don’t wash too often
- Lower the temperature
- Reduce the amount you tumble dry
- Only iron when necessary
- Only go to a dry cleaner when necessary
The clevercare symbol is a registered trade mark in the UK and in many other countries. More information on clevercare including collateral for retailers is available at www.clevercare.info
Flammability
Nightwear
Nightwear and garments commonly worn as nightwear are subject to certain labelling requirements concerning their flammability. Children’s nightwear must satisfy the flammability requirements specified in British Standard 5722. Babies’ garments and adults’ nightwear must carry a permanent label showing whether or not they meet the Flammability Standard. Further information on this labelling of nightwear is contained in `A Guide to the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985′. A copy is available to download.
Following the publication of BS EN 14878 Textiles – Burning behaviour of children’s nightwear – Specification, in November 2008 a new Advisory Note on the Requirement for Safety of Children’s Nightwear was been produced. A copy is available to download.
Netherlands
Clothing sold in the Netherlands must meet minimum burning behaviour requirements. MODINT, the Dutch Clothing Association has entered into an agreement with the government regarding these requirements. A copy of the agreement, which gives details on the minimum burning behaviour of fabrics is available to download.
MODINT have also produced a guide to help companies assess if their fabrics/garments need to be tested. A copy of this guidance available to download.
Available Resources
- A Guide to Nightwear Safety Regulations 1986
- New Requirements for Fire Safety of Children’s Nightwear
- UKFT Dutch Flammability
- UKFT Dutch Flammability Guide to Testing
Please get in touch, stating the resource title, to request access.
Request access
