Swiss Textiles

Swiss Textiles — 30.06.2026

Whether it’s dry cleaning, hand washing or ironing: textiles should be kept in good condition for as long as possible – and this requires consistent and clear care instructions.

To ensure that manufacturers, retailers, sales staff and consumers use textile labelling correctly, Swiss Textiles provides the relevant information on the following page. This includes the labelling requirements, the criteria to be observed and the licence application process.

In Switzerland, textile labelling and other information are not mandatory. However, anyone who voluntarily uses the internationally recognised textile labelling system requires a corresponding licence. The industry association provides this free of charge.

Care and raw material labelling, and licensing

Previously, responsibility for care and raw material labelling of textiles in Switzerland lay with Ginetex Switzerland. Following its dissolution, this responsibility was transferred to Swiss Textiles. The trade association is a member of Ginetex. This international organisation deals with textile care labelling. These have been implemented as an ISO standard since 2005.

Legal framework in Switzerland and the EU

Swiss law does not require care labelling. Labelling regarding raw materials, origin and size is also voluntary.

However, if the distributor wishes to label textiles, this must be done in at least one national language. Furthermore, a licence is required, as the care symbols are protected under trade mark law.

Different regulations apply within the EU and in many overseas countries. In the EU, the Textile Labelling Regulation No. 1007/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council is mandatory.

Mail-order businesses targeting the EU

Swiss online shops that also supply customers in the EU must ensure that they comply with the relevant EU requirements.

Ginetex member countries

There are currently 22 member countries affiliated with the Ginetex system. Below is a list of the 22 member countries.

For countries not listed here, please contact Ginetex at ginetex@ginetex.net orvia GINETEX > Contact us.

Austria
Brazil
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Japan
Greece
Italy
Lithuania
Norway
Netherlands
Portugal
United Kingdom
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tunisia

Download Licence Agreement & Authorisation

Eligible participants include private individuals and all companies based in Switzerland – including those outside the textile industry.
Please complete the online form and provide your postal address and email address. Legal entities should provide their business address, whilst private individuals should provide their home address.
You will then receive a confirmation of receipt from Swiss Textiles. The trade association will verify your details and send you the licence agreement by email.
Please print out the document, sign it and return the signed agreement electronically to Swiss Textiles.
Once your signed agreement has been received, you will be sent a download link for the relevant documents and logos.