Compliance by market
Care labels and care symbols: what to put on a clothing care label
A care label tells the wearer how to wash, bleach, dry, iron and professionally clean a garment. Two symbol systems are in use: ISO 3758, based on the GINETEX system used across Europe, and ASTM D5489 in the United States. A care label is required in the US under the FTC Care Labeling Rule and in Australia. In the EU the law does not require one, but retailers and consumers expect it.
Key takeaways
- Care symbols come in five basic shapes: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional care.
- Europe: symbols follow ISO 3758, which is based on the GINETEX system.
- The United States requires a permanent care label under the FTC Care Labeling Rule, and ASTM D5489 defines the symbol system.
- Care labelling for clothing is mandatory in Australia.
- The EU does not require care labelling by law, but retailers and consumers expect care symbols.
Reference information, not legal advice. Regulations change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked below or a compliance professional before shipping.
A care label is a small part of a garment, but a wrong one can bring retailer rejections, customer complaints or a compliance problem. This guide covers the care symbol systems, which markets require care labels, and what to put on one for knitwear.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rules for your products and markets with a qualified advisor.
The five basic care symbols
Most care symbol systems use the same five shapes, read in a fixed order:
| Symbol | Meaning | Common variations |
|---|---|---|
| Washtub | Washing | Maximum temperature, gentle cycle, hand wash, do not wash |
| Triangle | Bleaching | Any bleach, non-chlorine only, do not bleach |
| Square | Drying | Tumble dry (with heat level), line or flat dry, do not tumble dry |
| Iron | Ironing | Dots for temperature level, do not iron |
| Circle | Professional care | Dry cleaning or wet cleaning, do not dry clean |
A cross through a symbol means “do not”. Dots usually show temperature or heat level, and bars under a symbol mean a milder process.
The two main symbol systems
| ISO 3758 / GINETEX | ASTM D5489 | |
|---|---|---|
| Where used | Europe and many other markets | United States |
| Basis | GINETEX care labelling system | US standard guide for care symbols |
| Symbols | Five basic shapes, with dots and bars | Same basic shapes, with some differences in detail |
| Use of words | Symbol-only labels are common | Words, or symbols under the conditions of the FTC rule |
GINETEX is the international association for textile care labelling. Its symbols are trademarks, and their use is governed by GINETEX and its national members. ISO 3758 is the international standard built on that system, and ASTM D5489 is the US standard guide for care symbols.
Which markets require care labels
Going by our market guides, the United States requires a permanent care label on apparel under the FTC Care Labeling Rule. See US apparel import compliance.
In the European Union, fibre composition labelling is mandatory under Regulation (EU) 1007/2011, but care labelling is not required by law. Retailers and consumers still expect care symbols. See EU and UK apparel compliance.
Australia makes care labelling for clothing mandatory under an information standard made under the Australian Consumer Law, and New Zealand has its own mandatory requirement. See Canada and Australia apparel labelling.
Canada requires fibre content in English and French. For care labelling, confirm the current requirements with your advisor.
What to put on a care label for knitwear
Write the instructions for the whole garment: fabric, rib, trims, prints and embroidery, not only the main fabric.
- Washing temperature that the fabric, dyes and decoration can withstand, and “wash inside out” where prints or embroidery need protection.
- Bleach. Most coloured knitwear is labelled non-chlorine or do not bleach.
- Drying: whether tumble drying is safe, and at what heat. Cotton knits can shrink in a hot dryer; see why knit garments shrink.
- Ironing temperature, plus “do not iron on print” where needed.
- Professional care: dry-clean or do-not-dry-clean.
- Other content often combined with care: fibre composition, country of origin, size, and the brand or importer identification the market requires.
Label construction tips
Use a permanent label that stays legible for the useful life of the garment. For knitwear and children’s wear, pick a soft material such as printed satin or a soft-touch label, since it itches less. Put the label where the market expects it, usually the side seam or back neck.
If you sell in several markets, a multi-language label or a booklet label may be the answer. Specify everything in the tech pack; see how to write a tech pack and use the Tech Pack Builder.
A buyer’s checklist
- List every destination market for the garment.
- Confirm which label content is mandatory in each market.
- Decide the symbol system and any wording.
- Base care instructions on the finished garment, including decoration.
- Wash-test pre-production samples using the label instructions.
- Approve the label artwork before production.
Final thoughts
A good care label is accurate, permanent and right for the market. Pick the symbol system your markets expect, write the instructions from the finished garment, and test them on samples. Give us your destination markets at the quotation stage and we will prepare labels to your approved artwork.