Qualification symbols for industrial laundering (ISO 30023

Qualification symbols for industrial laundering (ISO 30023 and 15797)

Robert Long – Secretary General

ETSA – European Textile Services Association

2013

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A couple – hand-in-hand

+

Updated on 25 Nov 13

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• ISO 30023 (2009): New qualification labelling code using symbols – for industrial laundering of workwear

…based on…

• ISO 15797 (2002): Testing workwear for suitability for tough industrial laundering conditions – standardised washing and drying procedures

ISO 30023 and ISO 15797

Updated on 28 Mar 13

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The symbol

Meaning…

Professional industrial laundering, resistant to ISO 15797 washing

procedure 1, tunnel finish or tumble dry


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The background…

or…


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Washing at home or industrially?

or…


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Different washing and drying parameters


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Same results?

Hygiene?

Process validation?


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Same image?

+ Lifetime…? + Cost…? + Service…?

or…


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ISO 15797 = Compromise between…

25kg washing machine


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New test method on suitability

Or…


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Only “gentle” ISO 6330: • Standardised machines

and procedures for domestic washing and drying

• 1 – 12 minutes washing time

• 2-4 kg loads • 5 drying procedures

including line, drip and flat dry

Testing textiles for suitability - previously…


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• Machinery – much bigger

• Wash load – much bigger

• Detergent, bleach, etc. – more demanding

• 8 washing procedures – hotter and tougher – 75°C – 85°C

• 2 drying procedures – much higher temperatures – up to 160°C

Now, with ISO 15797, new references…for industrial


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Washing and drying!


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Classifications and fabric types

Classification Fabric type Process Number

Normal for white workwear/sensitive coloured trimmings + peracetic acid

Cotton 1

Polyester/cotton 2

Normal white work + chlorine bleach Cotton 3

Polyester/cotton 4

Normal for white workwear/sensitive coloured trimmings + hydrogen peroxide

Cotton 5

Polyester/cotton 6

Coloured workwear Cotton 7

Polyester/cotton 8

Drying – procedure A – tumble drying

Drying – procedure B – tunnel/cabinet

finishing

8 reference washing procedures and 2 drying procedures for testing textiles for industrial laundry in ISO 15797


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• ISO 15797 test results

• ISO 30023 symbol

The importance of symbols


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Care symbols for domestic washing


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Qualification symbols for industrial laundering = “Pre-treatment”

Tunnel/ Cabinet Finishing/ Drying

Tumble drying


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Examples


procedure 1, tunnel finish or tumble dry

Professional industrial laundering, resistant to ISO 15797 washing procedure 3, tumble dry only


procedures 1 and 6, tunnel finish only


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• Domestic partnership (guarantee):

– ISO 6330 defines reference washing procedures

– ISO 3758 gives care instructions via the care label (Ginetex)

• Industrial partnership (evaluation):

– ISO 30023 shows that the textiles have been tested for resistance/suitability to the industrial laundry process (and not care instructions)

– as defined in ISO 15797.

Two different approaches: care vs qualification


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How not to use the symbols


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Where do 15797 and 30023 fit in?

Domestic

Dry cleaning

(+ “wet” cleaning)

Industrial laundry

ISO 6330

ISO 3175

ISO 15797

ISO 3758

ISO 3758

ISO 30023

Type of textile

care

Care/

qualification

label symbols

Reference

washing

and drying

procedures for

testing textiles


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• Easier communication on the resistance and suitability of textiles for industrial laundry (increasingly popular)

• Facilitate the exchange of technical information along the supply chain

• Lead to improved accuracy in specifications for the supply of textile items

• Linking labelling with recognised test methods will ensure product quality and lead to less disputes

• Unlike domestic care labelling, manufacturers remain free to specify care and maintenance instructions

Benefits


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• The scope of ISO 30023 is limited via the scope of ISO 15797 to “workwear” (100% cotton and polyester/cotton mixes) – but also used for protective clothing as there is nothing else

• Some protective clothing do not withstand these exacting procedures

• Not covered: flat linen and terry towels

• Drawback: relatively costly test, in comparison to ISO 6330

• Drawback: double drying = double certification (2x costs, 2x time)

• While bigger than domestic washing machines, 25kg machines remain a compromise and do not fully represent the reality of industrial laundry

• Be careful! 15797 is for pre-treatment only. It is not a user instruction!

Scope and limitations

Updated on 8 Jan 13

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• “Standards for care to help supply chain for protective clothing”, article by M. Palin/R. Long, published in Technical Textiles International, May/June 2012

• See www.textile-services.eu: library, under workwear and protective clothing

More info on 15797…


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• Sent out for comments from October 2012 to March 2013. 4 pages of comments listed in a table in document ISO TC 38 SC2 N946.

• Standard was confirmed by SC2 on 25 March 2013 (N946). But 3 P members want technical revision (China, France, Portugal)

• Ongoing requests to expand the scope of ISO 15797, as the standardised processes are not suitable for all textiles! ETSA supports wider scope on condition that we have proven additional reference washing and drying procedures. This data is not yet available and will require research. ETSA is not in favour of unproven new reference procedures which would dilute standard and allow it to be circumvented.

• ETSA meeting on 29 April 2013 successfully resolved most comments from NSBs. Doc. WG9 N119 rev1. Further work done by RL, WQ, PK, MJP. Sent to WG9 by email on 14 August 2013.

• ISO TC38 (Textiles) met on 8 October 2013 in Istanbul. (No meeting of WG9). Strange resolution 2013/9: full revision of ISO 15797 based on N946! No change of scope. 36 month “track” (3 years). WG9/RL decision to start the clock?

• Next: RL/WQ to meet in early 2014 to integrate comments into text of standard. • Next: send N119 (N946 + resolutions) and new version of standard to WG9 for their feedback?

• ISO TR 14510 (1997) – “Industrial laundering procedures for textile rental and industrial laundering”

– SC2 Resolution 2013/4: withdraw as included in ISO 15797.

• ETSA list of testing houses and manufacturers equipped for ISO 15797 – 16 April 2012.

Latest developments on ISO 15797… Nov 2013


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• ISO 30023 approved end September 2009

• From “care” label symbols to “qualification labeling code using symbols”

• It is not a requirement for the symbols to be placed on each individual item. The symbols defined in Clause 4 shall be placed EITHER directly on the workwear article OR the containers or invoices for bulk quantities

• Although standard build momentum, more communication is necessary

• All standards are reviewed every 5 years. Next revision of 30023 in 2015.

• ETSA letter to VG5 which met on 15/16 May 2013 stressing that the symbols are not always correctly understood for PPE certification; we stressed the connection with ISO 15797, ie not care label instructions on how to wash. Outcome?

Latest developments on 30023


Documents

Qualification symbols for industrial laundering (ISO 30023