ASTM D5489-07(2013)e1
(Guide)Standard Guide for Care Symbols for Care Instructions on Textile Products
Standard Guide for Care Symbols for Care Instructions on Textile Products
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide provides symbols and a system for their use by which care instructions for textile products can be conveyed in a simple, space-saving, and easily understood pictorial format that is not language dependent. See also ADJD5489
4.2 Care symbols are an important means for identifying the appropriate care procedure for home laundering, commercial laundering, professional textile care, and coin-operated drycleaning, of textile products.
4.3 Care labeling using symbols can be used by the purchaser to select textiles on the basis of the care method required without knowledge of the language.
4.4 In countries in which a word-based care labeling system is required, the care symbol system may be used as a supplemental system.
4.5 The word-based instructions for each symbol in this guide are harmonious with Terminology D123, and D3136, the United States Federal Trade Commission Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423 and industry practice (see Figs. 1 and 2).Note 1—This figure illustrates the symbols to use for laundering and drycleaning instructions. As a minimum, laundering instructions shall include, in order, four symbols: washing, bleaching, drying, and ironing; and, professional textile care instructions shall include one symbol. Additional symbols or words may be used to clarify the instructions.
FIG. 1 Commercial and Home Laundering and Professional Textile Care Symbols
FIG. 2 Guide to Order of ASTM Care Symbols
4.6 The care label symbol system is based on five basic care symbols representing five operations: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, and professional textile care.
4.7 One color is used for all care symbols in this care labeling system.Note 1—While this symbol system uses one color, it is harmonious with tri-color systems such as the Canadian system because the instructions are clear whether printed in one or three colors.
4.8 This guide does not specify the type of label material or fabric to use. However, appropriateness for co...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides a uniform system of symbols for the disclosure of care instructions on textile products such as apparel, piece goods, and household and institutional articles, hereinafter referred to as “textile,” or “textile product.”
1.2 This guide provides a comprehensive system of symbols to represent care instructions reducing language-dependent care instructions.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
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Designation: D5489 − 07(Reapproved 2013)
Standard Guide for
Care Symbols for Care Instructions on Textile Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5489; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ε NOTE—Editorial changes were made in January 2013.
1. Scope 2.4 Other Standards:
Federal Trade CommissionAmendment to Trade Regulation
1.1 Thisguideprovidesauniformsystemofsymbolsforthe
Rule Concerning Care Labeling of Textile Wearing
disclosure of care instructions on textile products such as
Apparel, and Certain Piece Goods, Federal Register,Vol
apparel, piece goods, and household and institutional articles,
48, No. 99, May 20, 1983 (cited as 16 CFR 423).
hereinafter referred to as “textile,” or “textile product.”
The National Standard of Canada —Care Labelling of Tex-
1.2 Thisguideprovidesacomprehensivesystemofsymbols 6
tiles (CAN/CGSB-86.1-M91)
to represent care instructions reducing language-dependent
care instructions.
3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1 Definitions— For definitions of terms related to care
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
labeling, refer to Terminology D3136. For definitions of other
only.
textile terms used in this guide, refer to Terminology D123.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.1 care instructions, n—in textiles, a series of directions
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the that describe practices which should refurbish a product
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- without adverse effects, and that warn against any part of the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- directions which one could reasonably be expected to use that
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. may harm the item. D3136
3.1.2 care label, n—in textiles, a label or other affixed
2. Referenced Documents
instruction set that reports how a product should be refur-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
bished.
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The Federal Trade Commission, in
D3136 Terminology Relating to Care Labeling for Apparel,
Rule 16 CFR 423, requires care instructions on most apparel
Textile, Home Furnishing, and Leather Products
and certain other textile items. In relation to these products, the
D3938 Guide for Determining or Confirming Care Instruc-
FTC definition states: “Care Label means a permanent label or
tions for Apparel and Other Textile Products
tag,containingregularcareinformationandinstructions,thatis
2.2 ASTM Adjunct: attached or affixed in some manner that will not become
Care Symbol Chart
separated from the product and will remain legible during the
2.3 AATCC Standard: useful life of the product.” D3136
A Glossary of AATCC Standard Terminology, Current
3.1.3 care symbol, n—a pictorial symbol that gives direc-
Edition
tions for refurbishing a consumer textile product.
4. Significance and Use
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.62 on Labeling.
4.1 This guide provides symbols and a system for their use
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2013. Published January 2013. Originally
by which care instructions for textile products can be conveyed
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D5489 – 07. DOI:
in a simple, space-saving, and easily understood pictorial
10.1520/D5489-07R13E01.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or format that is not language dependent. See also ADJD5489
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 5
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, North Capital and H Streets,
ADJD5489. Original adjunct produced in 1994. NW, Washington, DC 20401.
4 6
Annual AATCC Technical Manual, available from theAmericanAssociation of Available from CGSB, Sales Unit, Ottawa, Canada. (819) 956-0425 or (819)
TextileChemistsandColorists,P.O.Box12215,ResearchTrianglePark,NC27709. 956-0426.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5489 − 07 (2013)
4.2 Care symbols are an important means for identifying the United States Federal Trade Commission Care Labeling Rule,
appropriate care procedure for home laundering, commercial 16 CFR 423 and industry practice (see Figs. 1 and 2).
laundering, professional textile care, and coin-operated
4.6 The care label symbol system is based on five basic care
drycleaning, of textile products.
symbols representing five operations: washing, bleaching,
4.3 Care labeling using symbols can be used by the pur-
drying, ironing, and professional textile care.
chasertoselecttextilesonthebasisofthecaremethodrequired
4.7 One color is used for all care symbols in this care
without knowledge of the language.
labeling system.
4.4 In countries in which a word-based care labeling system
is required, the care symbol system may be used as a
NOTE 1—While this symbol system uses one color, it is harmonious
supplemental system.
with tri-color systems such as the Canadian system because the instruc-
tions are clear whether printed in one or three colors.
4.5 The word-based instructions for each symbol in this
guide are harmonious withTerminology D123, and D3136, the
NOTE 1—This figure illustrates the symbols to use for laundering and drycleaning instructions. As a minimum, laundering instructions shall include,
in order, four symbols: washing, bleaching, drying, and ironing; and, professional textile care instructions shall include one symbol.Additional symbols
or words may be used to clarify the instructions.
FIG. 1 Commercial and Home Laundering and Professional Textile Care Symbols
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D5489 − 07 (2013)
FIG. 2 Guide to Order of ASTM Care Symbols
4.8 This guide does not specify the type of label material or the drying process, the iron represents the ironing or pressing
fabric to use. However, appropriateness for consumer comfort process, and the circle represents the professional textile care
is recommended. process (Fig. 3).
5.3 Prohibitive Symbols—The prohibitive “X” symbol may
5. Procedure
be used only when evidence can be provided that the care
5.1 Introduction—This section defines the basic symbols
procedureonwhichitissuperimposedwouldadverselychange
and prohibitive symbols: the washing, bleaching, drying,
the dimensions, hand, appearance, or performance of the
ironing, and professional textile care processes; the required
textile. (Fig. 4).
numberandorderofsymbols;supplementarycareinformation;
5.4 The Washing Process—The Washtub Symbol:
and appropriate instructions and labels.
5.2 Basic Symbols:
5.2.1 There are five basic symbols: the washtub, triangle,
square, iron, and circle.
5.2.2 The washtub represents the washing process, the
triangle represents the bleaching process, the square represents FIG. 3 Basic Symbols
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D5489 − 07 (2013)
5.5.2 The triangle and an additional symbol inside the
triangle represent the type(s) of bleach to use.
5.5.3 A solid triangle on which the prohibitive “X” is
FIG. 4 Prohibitive Symbols superimposed represents the do not bleach warning.
NOTE 7—The Guide D5489 bleach symbols represent the three bleach-
inginstructionslistedintheFederalTradeCommission(FTC)Glossaryof
Terms. The FTC Care Labeling Trade Regulation Rule states, “If regular
5.4.1 The washtub with a water wave represents the wash-
use of chlorine bleach would harm the product, but regular use of a
ing process in a home laundering or commercial laundering
non-chlorine bleach would not, the label must say “Only non-chlorine
bleach, when needed.”
setting.
NOTE 8—The bleach symbol in the Canadian symbol system, a yellow
5.4.1.1 The washtub without a water wave may be used to
triangle with the letters Cl inside, means use chlorine-based bleach with
present the washing process.
care. The bleach warning symbol in the Canadian system, a red triangle
enclosingtheletters,Clonwhichared“X”issuperimposed,meansdonot
NOTE 2—The washtub without a water wave is used in the Canadian
use chlorine-based bleach.
care symbol system.
5.5.4 To represent the care instruction for a specific bleach-
5.4.2 Additional symbols inside the washtub indicate the
ing condition, use the appropriate symbol as illustrated in Fig.
suggested water temperature and hand-washing process.
1.
5.4.3 Additional symbols below the tub indicate the perma-
nent press cycle (one underline, minus sign, or bar) and
5.6 The Drying Process—The Square Symbol:
delicate-gentle washing cycle (two underlines, minus signs, or
5.6.1 The square represents the drying process.
bars).
5.6.2 Additional symbols inside the square represent the
5.4.3.1 Permanent dress and gentle/delicate cycle instruc-
type of drying process to use, including tumble dry, line dry,
tions may be reported in symbols or words on a label with the
drip dry, dry flat, and dry in shade.
symbolicinstructionsformachinewashandthewatertempera-
5.6.3 Additional symbols below the tumble dry symbol
ture.
indicate the permanent press cycle (one underline, one minus
5.4.4 The numerical or the dot system or both illustrated in
sign, or bar) and the delicate-gentle cycle (two underlines,
Fig. 1 may be used to represent the maximum water tempera-
minus signs, bars).
ture for machine and hand washing.
5.6.3.1 Permanent press and gentle/delicate cycle instruc-
5.4.4.1 Thesixwashingtemperaturesare30°C(80°F),40°C
tions may be reported in words along with symbolic instruc-
(105°F), 50°C (120°F), 60°C (140°F), 70°C (160°F), and 95°C
tions for tumble drying and the dryer heat setting.
(200°F)andshallbeinCelsiuswhenusingthenumericalwater
5.6.4 The dot(s) used to represent the dryer temperatures
temperature system.
are: three dots (high), two dots (medium), one dot (low), no
dots (any heat), and, a solid or filled-in circle (no heat/air).
NOTE 3—The Fahrenheit temperatures, while not true conversions from
Celsius to Fahrenheit, are within the range of tolerance and represent 5.6.5 To represent the care instruction for a specific drying
common consumer usage.
condition, use the appropriate symbol as illustrated in Fig. 1.
5.4.4.2 The symbols used to represent the maximum water
5.7 The Ironing Process—T
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