Mr Palin, technical director of the TSA and the UK expert on care labelling for drycleaning, said the symbol is expected to be W in a circle. It has been proposed that the meaning of the circle will be changed from drycleaning to “professional cleaning”. Additionally, it is proposed that a mild and a very mild wetclean process shall be shown by a single and double bar respectively.

The revised standard will emphasise the link between garment and textile testing and the selection of the appropriate care label. Test methods have been expanded to include hydrocarbon and wetcleaning.

Mr Palin said that a draft revision could go to a final vote by the end of the year and if so, the revised standard would be expected during 2003.