The clothing labels are not always read. And what is even worse: many times they are not understood. Although their function is to offer basic information to better care for clothes and know their materials, different studies and European regulations show that a good part of consumers find it difficult to interpret them or, directly, end up removing them because they are uncomfortable.
In fact, a GINETEX study indicates that 70% of Europeans follow the care instructions represented by the symbols, while 62% admit to cutting the labels. The problem, therefore, does not seem to be just whether they are read or not, but how they are designed and how much they are understood.
To that debate is now added another broader one: the future of textile labeling. The European Union is promoting new digital tools such as the Digital Product Passport and the sector is exploring smart labels or QR codes that could represent a notable paradigm shift.
What information must appear on textile labeling
According to European Union regulations, every textile product marketed in the EU must include labeling or marking indicating the fiber composition of the product. This obligation applies to products whose weight is composed of at least 80% textile fibers, such as clothing, furniture coverings, mattress coverings, or tents.
The label must be securely attached to the product and the composition information must be expressed in percentages and in decreasing order, clearly separated from other data such as care instructions and presented with clear and legible text.
European regulation also establishes that mentions such as "100%", "pure" or "all" can only be used when the garment is exclusively composed of a single type of fiber. In addition, textile fiber denominations are limited to those included in the applicable European regulation.
If a product is sold in several EU countries, the labeling must be translated into the official languages of the countries where it is marketed. Alongside these requirements, the possibility of using the EU Ecolabel to distinguish products with environmental excellence is also considered.
What the consumer does with the labels
The study prepared by GINETEX and IPSOS in six European countries reflects that labels carry more weight among consumers than might seem. 70% state they follow the care instructions, and among the main reasons, 38% say they do so to avoid washing problems such as shrinkage and 31% to better preserve the clothes and prolong their lifespan.
At the same time, the report shows that many labels generate physical or practical rejection: 62% admit cutting them, and, among those who do so, 74% state that they itch or irritate the skin and 55% that they are too long or uncomfortable. Despite this, 80% of Europeans state that they would never or rarely buy a garment without a label.
The study also points out that the problem is often in the understanding of the symbols. Those for washing and ironing are the most understood, but others generate more confusion: 45% do not understand the drying symbols, 39% do not correctly identify those for bleaching and the professional cleaning symbol is the worst interpreted.
When a doubt arises, many consumers seek answers. According to the same study, 53% search the internet for the meaning of symbols they do not understand. The report also adds that 84% are concerned about saving water and energy, and that many already apply habits such as natural drying or low-temperature washing.
The labels of the future: the Digital Product Passport
One of the changes that can most transform textile labeling is the Digital Product Passport, driven by the European Commission's circular economy strategy. In the textile sector, this system would allow for more detailed knowledge of the origin of garments, the materials used, and manufacturing conditions.
That model goes beyond traditional labeling. According to European approaches on the Digital Product Passport, the information could also include data on durability, reparability, reuse or recycling, expanding the role of the label towards a digital identity of the garment.
As the Retail Textile Spain Association (ARTE) and the Observatory of the Textile and Fashion Sector have already explained, its implementation in textiles is planned in phases and could begin around 2027, with a subsequent progressive rollout. Among the highlighted effects are greater transparency in the supply chain, more informed consumption decisions, and support for regulatory compliance.
Added to this are pilot projects and sector developments that explore similar functionalities, such as traceability of raw materials or environmental impact analysis. Together, the change points to more digital, more verifiable, and more sustainability-linked labeling.
From paper to QR
Along with the digital passport, the future of clothing labels is also being explored through smart labels, QR codes, or technologies like NFC. Initiatives and standards driven by GS1 suggest that part of the information on a garment can be consulted from a mobile phone.
That model would allow for a significant expansion of what currently fits on a sewn-in label: expanded care instructions, authenticity information, detailed composition, or recommendations to extend the garment's lifespan.
In parallel, reports such as those from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation link this type of solution with circular fashion models, where digital information accompanies the garment also in processes of repair, resale, or recycling.
Thus, the future of textile labeling seems to point less towards longer labels and more towards more useful labels. From sewn-in symbols to scannable codes, the change that is taking shape is not just technological: it also changes what information the consumer receives and how they use it.