TheFirstRevisionofGBT8685.PDF

SPARKLE Volume 381 / 17 June 2008 The First Revision of GB/T 8685 Textile Care Labeling Code The National Textile Base Standard Technical Sub-committee discussed and voted for a revision of GB/T 8685 at the Huangshan annual technical meeting in April 2008. The intention of this revision is to ultimately make the standard more practical overall and mere representative of the actual practice in China. What is care labeling? Care labeling is intended to guide consumer or commercial cleaners on how to care for their textile products in order to keep their original appearance after several washes or professional cleanings. Labeling may include care methods, washing temperatures, dry methods, whether to iron or not, and iron temperatures as well. Why should there be labeling? The impact of post-performance on textile products by daily care cannot be disregarded. Care methods and maintenance should vary from products’ style to style and character to character. If improper care instructions are labeled, it is possible to incur irreversible damage to textile products. Therefore, the importance of proper care labeling is to avoid misuse by the consumer and simultaneously protect the seller or manufacturer’s interest. The mandatory standard GB 5296.4 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest-instruction for use of textile apparel enacted further elevates the importance and necessity of this standard implementation. Which kind of products should be subjected to this standard? All textile products offered to final consumers which consist of at least 80% textile fibers. What are