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Care label symbols were introduced so one standardized set of symbols could replace written care instructions in three languages on garments sold across North America. In July 1997 the U.S. Federal Trade Commission adopted a conditional exemption to the Care Label Rule allowing symbols in lieu of words, and the symbols approved for use in the United States are the ASTM symbols. Care labeling has legal ramifications if done incorrectly, so current requirements should always be checked with the appropriate agency. NAFTA itself has since been superseded by the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).
NAFTA Care Symbols by Apparel Search - Terms of Interest to the Fashion Industry
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Note: the information on this page may be out dated.
Information may have changed, depending on when you are reading this
article. Please check with the appropriate agency for most current
information. Care Labeling is a very important issue and has
legal ramifications if done incorrectly. Do NOT use any
information on this page as a decision making factory for any
element of your care labels. Please conduct further research
to make sure that you have the most current information available.
Again, this is an article written by a
garmento, not a lawyer (also not a care label expert).
Utilize this page at your own risk.
January 2019 Update: NAFTA is now called the U.S., Mexico, Canada Agreement, or USMCA.
The Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada is a signed but not ratified free trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It is referred to differently by each signatory�in the United States, it is called the United States�Mexico�Canada Agreement (USMCA); in Canada, it is called the Canada�United States�Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in English and the Accord Canada��tats-Unis�Mexique (ACEUM) in French; and in Mexico, it is called the Tratado entre M�xico, Estados Unidos y Canad� (T-MEC).The agreement is sometimes referred to as "New NAFTA" in reference to the previous trilateral agreement it is meant to supersede, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Below is for historical reference regarding NAFTA.
One of the major reasons behind the introduction of care label symbols is to harmonize American clothing labeling regulations with those of Canada and Mexico.
In July, 1997 the Federal Trade Commission adopted a conditional exemption to the Care Label Rule that allowed the use of symbols in lieu of words on care labels. A condition was attached to the exemption requiring that, if symbols were used without words, until January 1, 1999 the words defining the symbols must be provided in some other medium such as a hang tag or package insert. This was used as a method to help transition so that consumers could learn the meaning of the care symbols.
◊
The ASTM symbols are accepted in
NAFTA countries.
◊ ISO / GINETEX symbols are accepted in most of Europe and Asia.
◊ Japan has their own symbol system.
Using
care symbols will help
consumers.
Using care symbols should help limit
size of care labels in garments.
Smaller care labels result in
manufacturing cost savings.
Care symbols will help international
travelers better understand care labels
in foreign countries
The intent is that the new symbols will become standard in all countries participating in the North American Free Trade Agreement. This means that apparel manufacturers will now be able to use the same care label on garments offered for sale in any or all of these countries. And consumers will be able to make purchase decisions based upon care requirements, and follow appropriate care instructions, without knowledge of the language.
The move to care label symbols will hopefully help satisfy consumer demand asking the apparel industry to decrease the size of care labels. In addition to the fact that larger labels are very uncomfortable, moving to smaller labels may ultimately result in lower cost garments. This also will help the consumer. Using symbols instead of words is a simple method for saving both space and money.
Although NAFTA care symbols does not create an international solution, it certainly does help the countries involved in this agreement. Hopefully, in the future their will be a global standard for care labeling.
Companies, organizations, governments, and associations must come together to create an international labeling standard for apparel and fashion accessories.
Note: the above information may have changed, depending on when you are reading this article. Please check with the appropriate agency for most current information. If you find any information out dated, please let us know and we will try to make updates.
You may also wish to read the ISO Care Symbols page and the wash care label page.
ML6209
Fashion Terms Alphabetical guide: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Learn about Canada Care Labeling.
Written care instructions work in one language at a time. A garment sold across North America would otherwise need its washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional care instructions printed in English, French and Spanish, which makes labels long, crowded and expensive to produce. A symbol carries the same instruction to every reader at once, so a single label can serve all three markets, international travelers can read foreign care labels, and smaller labels save manufacturing cost on every garment.
The ASTM system is the one accepted in the NAFTA countries and approved for use in the United States. The ISO/GINETEX system is accepted in most of Europe and Asia. Japan maintains its own system. Because the systems differ, a label that is correct for one market may not satisfy another, which is why exporters check the destination market's rules rather than assuming one symbol set travels everywhere.
The trade agreement behind these symbols has changed names and terms — NAFTA gave way to the USMCA — and care labeling requirements are set by regulators, not by glossaries. Treat the history on this page as background for how North American care symbols came to be, and verify the current rule with the Federal Trade Commission, ASTM or ISO before any label goes to print.
A standardized set of care label symbols created so apparel sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico could carry the same care label. Symbols replace written instructions that would otherwise need English, French and Spanish versions, which also keeps care labels smaller.
The ASTM symbols. ISO/GINETEX symbols are accepted in most of Europe and Asia, and Japan has its own symbol system — there is no single universal symbol system.
The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement — called USMCA in the United States, CUSMA in Canada and T-MEC in Mexico — the free trade agreement meant to supersede NAFTA. Care labeling rules can change, so confirm current requirements with the appropriate agency before printing labels.