In the UK Care Labelling is a voluntary system. However, current Trading Standards practice suggests that when a care label has been put into a garment (or any textile item) then that label becomes part of the description of the article in respect of the "Sale of Goods Act – Fitness for Purpose" and is therefore legally binding. Consumers can encourage good practice by buying only garments that have been care labelled properly. No care label – Do Not Buy.

A care label gives the recommended care instructions. The label must be attached so that it will not become separated from the product, and it must remain legible during the useful life of the product. You should be able to see the care label or find it easily.

When a garment has two or more parts that are sold as a unit, only one care label is required. However if each piece is designated to be sold separately or if each piece requires different care procedures, the each part of the article must have its own label. ‘If you have a two-piece, always take both pieces to the cleaner.

A proper informative care label is one that uses the symbols specified by the HLCC (The Home Laundry Consultative Council, the UK’s representative body for care labelling) in accordance with the requirements as set out by GINETEX. These symbols may also be supplemented by additional wording. The care label should:

• Give full instructions for at least one satisfactory method of cleaning necessary to enable the ordinary use of the garment, with the specified method representing the most severe process that the garment will withstand whilst maintaining its original condition.
• Warn about any part of the recommended method of cleaning that a cleaner could reasonably be expected to use that would harm the garment or harm other garments being cleaned or laundered with it.
• Warn if there is no method for cleaning a garment without damaging it.
• Remain legible throughout the useful life of the garment.

If a manufacturer decides to put in a Care Label it should be attached at the time of purchase so that the consumer can take care instructions into consideration before making a purchase. Occasionally, you may wish to remove the care label, but this may entail some risk as full information or warning regarding proper care will no longer be available to either yourself or the drycleaner/launderer.

The care instruction on the label applies to all permanently attached parts of the garment, such as buttons, linings, interlinings and other decorative trims. Some labels state "Dry Clean Only, Exclusive of Decorative Trim", but theses are unacceptable because they neither explain that the trim must be removed before the garment is cleaned nor do they specify a separate care method for the trim. In addition, removal may not be practical or even possible in all cases.

An explanatory booklet produced by the HLCC explains the different cleansing and aftercare symbols. The following are some examples.

P May be cleaned in perchloroethylene in a normal process without restrictions. The process may include the additions of a drycleaning detergent and/or moisture to the system, tumble drying at up to 60^oc and steam finishing (pressing).

P The item may still be processed in perchloroethylene but there may be restrictions on the process conditions.

Washing symbols give recommendations for domestic washing procedures and are generally repeated on detergent packs and in washing machine instruction manuals.

"Dryclean Only" or "Professional Dryclean" are not proper care labels, as they do not provide any information. If used they need to have additional instructions in solvent choice, temperature and water addition.

Not necessarily. A manufacturer may detail only one method of safe care for the garment, even though there may be several other safe methods which can be used. So if a garment has a care label with washing instructions, it may – or may not – be drycleanable; there is no way of telling form the label. However, if a customer requests a method of cleaning not listed on the care label, the drycleaner may ask that he/she signs an ‘owner’s risk’ form. This form shows that the cleaner has discussed with you the potential risks but, with or without this form, they agree to handle the garments in a professional manner, to the best of their ability, and using their expertise. Owner’s risk does not negate professional negligence.

If the manufacturer’s instructions are followed and the garment is damaged, the garment should be returned to the shop from which it was bought with an explanation of what has happened. If the shop will not resolve the problem, ask for the manufacturer’s name and address and write to the company. In the letter, provide a full description of the garment and state all the information that is given on the labels and on the tags. Estimate how many times the garment has been washed or drycleaned and provide the full name and address of the shop where it was purchased. If satisfaction is not received by these means, it may be necessary to pursue the matter through the Trading Standards Office and ultimately through the small Claims Court. However any legal action can only be against the shop as this is where the contract to purchase was agreed.

If the matte is referred to the Small Claims Court, the magistrate will almost certainly ask for a written report from an impartial body. FCRA’s Garment Analysis Service will investigate complaints, gather information from all parties involved and produce a written report which will identify the cause of the problem and, wherever possible, the responsibility for the defect. Our reports are widely recognised by the Courts, Trading Standards and Government Bodies.

FCRA is the national technical association for professional drycleaners and launderers. Its aim is to provide a full technical service which will improve the quality or care and service which the customer receives. It is involved in many areas of research, education and training, and also represents the UK industry at National and International levels.