AQM

Assignment-1
Garment Care label analysis and Product Safety Rules

-Preksha Pandey
BFT/14/119

Care Labels: 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.

Care Labeling Systems :

There are five care labeling systems which are generally used on care labels.
These systems are:
1. The International Care Labeling 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.

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

The Japanese Care Labeling System- The Japanese system, like other care labeling
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 and 6) Drying
For coloured 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
2.

3. The Canadian Care Labeling System- The new Canadian care symbol system used green (go
ahead), amber (caution), and red (dont 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.

4. The European Care Labeling 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.

5. The American Care Labeling System- According to the Federal Trade Commissions 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:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

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

Additional Care Label SymbolsWashing-

Bleaching and drying-

Ironing and Professional Care-

Washing Temperatures and Supplement Care-

Care Label AnalysisInternational Branded Clothes

1. This garment is a maxi dress from Max store-

Brand Label

Front

Back

Care Label: The care label on this garment is a woven one. It is positioned at the right seam
of the garment near the waist area. The product
is made in India.
The care label symbols follow the American care
labeling systems. The symbols on the care label
indicate1.Washing Maximum machine washing temperature 30
degrees Celsius.
Mechanical action much reduced.
Rinsing normal
Spinning reduced
Back

2. Bleaching Do not bleach

Front

3. Ironing- Iron at 110 degrees Celsius (low).

4. Dry cleaning- Do not dry clean
5. Drying- Do not tumble dry

2. This garment is a T-shirt from Lee Cooper- The product is made in India

Front

Back

Brand Label
The brand label on this T-shirt was printed on the back panel of the T-shirt and also on the
front side of the care label.

Care Label

The care label follows European care labeling system. It has 4 symbols indicating

Maximum machine washing temperature 40 degrees celsius.

Mechanical action normal
Rinsing normal
Spinning normal

National Branded Clothes1. This garment is a shirt from Allen Solly

Brand Label

Front

Back

The brand label is a woven one attached on the yoke of the shirt, right below the
collar.

Care label Back

Care label Back

The care label on this garment was made of satin. It does not have any care
symbols, but the care instructions are written on the label for easy understanding.
The product is made in India.

2. A hooded sleeveless jacket from Jealous 21-

Back

Front

Brand Label

The brand label of jealous 21 is a woven one attached on the inside of the hood
attaching to the back panel.
Care Label

The care label on this one has symbols as well as

instructions written on it. The label is made on taffeta fabric. The symbols indicate Wash in domestic or commercial machine in water not exceeding 30 degrees celsius, at
normal setting
Do not wring
Do not bleach

Local BrandsA tube empire line dress from a local brand named Pura Vida.

Front

Back

Brand Label

The brand label is a woven one.

Care Label

Front

Back

The care label does not have

any symbols but the instructions are clearly written on it. The label is a woven one
attached on the right side seam of the garment near the thigh area.

Product Safety and Rules

USACare labelsCare Labels 16 CFR 423, Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods as
Amended The Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) Care Labeling Rule requires manufacturers
and importers to attach care instructions to garments.

Childrens apparel and sleepwearSection 101(a) of the CPSIA restricts childrens products, including childrens apparel and
sleepwear, to a lead content limit of 100 parts per million (ppm). In addition, the use of paint
or surface coating on childrens apparel and sleepwear must not exceed a lead content limit of
90 ppm. Additionally, Section 108 of CPSIA states that childrens toys and child care articles
cannot contain more that 0.1% of six phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DnOP).
Although childrens clothing does not need to be certified to this requirement, childrens
sleepwear or bibs intended for children age 3 years or younger and any childrens textile
product that is intended for use in play must be certified.

16 CFR Part 1500.18 (a) (16)

16 CFR 1500.48
16 CFR 1500.49

Flammability

16 CFR 1610 Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles

16 CFR 1615 Standard for Flammability of Childrens Sleepwear: Size 0 through 6X (FF 3-71)
16 CFR 1616 Standard for Flammability of Childrens Sleepwear: Size 7 through 14 (FF 5-74)
16 CFR 1611 Standard for the Flammability of Vinyl Plastic Film

Toxic Substance ControlThe Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 provides EPA with authority to require reporting,
record-keeping, and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances
and/or mixtures. Certain substances are generally excluded from TSCA, including, among
others, food, drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides.

Chemical California Proposition 65

16 CFR 1303 Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain Consumer Products Bearing LeadContaining

Paint Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 - Section 108 Ban of Phthalates in
Childrens
Toys and Childcare Articles

CANADA
Fiber Labeling- Textile Labeling and Advertising Regulations
Flammability:
Textile Flammability Regulations (SOR/2011-22)
Childrens Sleepwear Regulations (SOR/2011-15)
Upholstered and Stuffed Article Label:
Technical Standards and Safety Act 2000
Chemical: - CCPSA, Restriction of Lead on Surface Coating Material in Childrens Product
(SOR/2005-109)
CCPSA, Restriction of Lead Content in Children's Product (SOR/2010-273)
CCPSA, Restriction of Phthalates in Childrens Product (SOR/2010-298)

CHINA
GB 18401 National General Safety Technical Code for Textile Products
GB 31701 The Safety Technical Code for Infants and Children Textile Products
GB 5296.4 Instructions for Use of Products of Consumer Interest Part 4: Textiles and
Apparel
GB 20400 Leather and Fur Limit of Harmful Matter
GB 21550 The Restriction of Hazardous Materials in Polyvinyl Chloride Artificial Leather

JAPAN
Fiber Labelling: Household Goods Quality Labelling Law
Care Labelling: Household Goods Quality Labelling Law
Chemical: Act on Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances (Act No. 112
of October 12, 1973)

AUSTRALIA
Fiber Labelling: - New South Wales Fair Trading Regulation 2012 - AS/NZS 2622 Textile
Products Fiber Content Labelling
Care Labelling: - Australian Consumer Law of Competition and Consumer Act 2010 Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010 - AS/NZS 1957 Textiles Care Labelling for
Clothing and Textile Products

Flammability: - Australian Consumer Law of Competition and Consumer Act 2010 - Trade
Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standards) (Childrens Nightwear and Paper Patterns for
Childrens Nightwear) Regulation 2007 - AS/NZS 1249 Childrens Nightwear and Limited
Daywear Having Reduced Fire Hazard.

India
All consumer products must be safe and meet consumer guarantees under the product safety
laws. There should be some safety standards. These standards are designed to ensure the
safety of products, activities or processes etc.
The Indian consumer has the right to be protected against marketing of goods and services
which are hazardous to life and property (Consumer Protection Act 1986).
Consumer Education and Research Centre undertook A Study of the Regulations and
Enforcement Practices Regarding Safety of Consumer Products in India at the instance of GIZ
to analyze the general prevailing rules as well as to understand regulations for different
sectors concerning consumer product safety in India.
CERC prepared a report on regulation and enforcement practices regarding safety of consumer
products in India. It was approved by GIZ and has been appreciated by the Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, New Delhi.
Most often consumers are unaware of the lurking danger in many products they buy. The
dangers can range from faulty design features such as small parts in toys, to the use of harmful
substances in the manufacture of products such as use of mercury in skin lightening creams
and bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic water bottles and food containers. The CERC study covered
regulations and enforcement practices regarding safety of consumer products in India,
including withdrawal and recall practices, case studies, court judgments and policies.
Five product categories were selected by GIZ for the study: toys, detergents, plastics as
storage and food containers, colour paints and cosmetics. CERC compared the regulations &
standards of European Union, USA and India. They also studied and compared labelling
information of detergents, cosmetics, colour paints, and toys. CERC recommended for labelling
of consumer products which require mandatory label. The purpose of labelling is to enhance
the safety of the consumers by making available to users valuable information concerning the
composition of consumer products.
Children aged 3 years and under are particularly susceptible to choking, asphyxiation and
ingestion hazards caused by small objects. All components that could become detached from
childrens clothing are all examples of small parts, and therefore choking hazards. Some
examples of small parts are listed below:
Snaps/studs/rivets
Buttons
Appliqus
Bows and rosettes
Pompoms and fringe

 Dungaree clasp (Hasps) and slider

Zipper components
Belt fastenings
Toggles
Decorative and functional loops
Decorative labels

Summary of self assessment of product safety rules in India

In India, when assessing the day to day situation, a number of product safety loopholes can
be seen. A few examples are stated For metal fusing work, the required equipment to protect the eyes is used but the
clothes are the regular ones. They may be prone to catching fire easily.
Proper care labels according to the garments must be attached. And not just that, but
the consumers must become active and follow the instructions accordingly for better
utilization of the garment.
Ignorance to recyclable material and hazardous and must be taken care of.
Bulletproof jackets must be in working condition as stated.
All the ingredients/fabric/material must be clearly mentioned on the packet/product.
Children apparel should not be made up of flammable material or toxic chemicals.

-References
Product Safety and Restricted Substances in Apparel Subrata Das
http://www.ipc.org/
https://www.cbi.eu
www.sgsgroup.in
www.cpsc.gov
www.coatsindustrial.com
www.davisimperial.com

Thank-You