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:

Note: The symbols for the International Care Labelling System are the same as those listed in the European Care Labelling System.