The GINETEX care symbols are registered with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) in Geneva, Switerland as international trademarks.

To this end, care symbols must be used in respect of the use regulations of the trademarks together with the technical information on which they are based. This will help in the correct use of the symbols by the professionnals.

GINETEX has the following objectives:

• to define symbols for textile care at an international level,
• to define the regulations for the use of the said symbols,
• to promote the propagation of the care symbols,
• to acquire all markings and all rights relative to the symbols,
• to register all marks, both national and international,
• to insure protection for all marks and symbols as adopted in all member countries of the Association,
• to conclude all agreements liable to the promotion of the above-mentioned objectives,
• in general, to take all measures and carry out all actions in order to promote the above objectives, either directly or indirectly.

The GINETEX care labelling system is based on the following principles:

• the uniform use of the symbols is basically carried out in the interest of the consumer,
• the symbols were introduced in order to avoid any misinterpretation by the consumer,
• the GINETEX symbols are simple enough to be understood in all countries, irrespective of the language spoken by the users, yet providing as much information as possible on the appropriate care treatments for textile articles,
• in order to prevent irreversible damage, the professionnals are responsible for the choice of care-treatment in their articles,
• the GINETEX care symbols cannot be used separately and shall refer to all treatments in the order: washing, bleaching, tumble drying, ironing and drycleaning,
• the symbols of the actual care labelling code shall be adapted whenever necessary to technical and economical evolutions but the changes must be limited to essential ones in order not to create confusion for the consumer.