This standard designates a system of symbols to be used in the labelling of textiles to indicate the preferred care procedures for restoring the textiles to an acceptable usable condition with the respect to the properties stated in par. 1.2.

The symbol system described in this standard relates primarily to the properties of colourfastness, dimensional stability, effect of retained bleaching agent whether or not included in the detergent and maximum safe ironing temperature. The use of this system signifies that as a result of the restorative treatment, there shall be no appreciable change in the appearance of the textile. The properties which may be assessed for appearance change include, but are not limited to: 1) seam puckering due to differential shrinkage; 2) blistering, delamination or deterioration of coated, bonded, laminated and fused fabrics; 3) staining of fusibles; 4) fraying of seams; 5) deterioration of fasteners; or 6) performance of textile or nontextile trim (Recommended test methods for the assessment of appearance changes are listed in Appendix A.)

The symbol system described in this standard is not intended to be used on upholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets, articles predominantly leather and/or fur, yarns or hosiery (Upholstered furniture, carpets, and predominantly leather and/or fur require special care procedures that are not addressed in this standard. Yarns and hosiery are excluded from the scope of this standard due to the lack of test methods for the determination of dimensional stability.)

Symbols are specified for five restorative treatments: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing/pressing and professional textile care. Symbols are defined in terms of standard test methods.

It should not be assumed that the absence of a particular care symbol on a label implies that the care procedure represented by that symbol may be safely used. For example, when no professional textile care symbol is shown on a care label bearing a washing symbol, professional textile care may cause damage; conversely when no washing symbol is shown on a care label bearing a professional textile care symbol, washing may cause damage. (See Section 5.)

The testing and evaluation of a product against this standard may require the use of materials and/or equipment that could be hazardous. This document does not purport to address all the safety aspects associated with its use. Anyone using this standard has the responsibility to consult the appropriate authorities and to establish appropriate health and safety practices in conjunction with any existing applicable regulatory requirements prior to its use.