The following standards have been established by Bureau Veritas Ltd, Consumer Products Division. In the process of these tests, they compared their technical results in assessing abrasion resistance using British Standard BS EN ISO 12947-1-2. The fabrics were also assessed for colourfastness for washing at the recommended care instruction and snagging. These technical results were compared to the performance achieved from garments as reported by customers.

Standards for garments are as follows:

Standards required for:	Shirts/ blouses	Housekeeping dresses	Waistcoats, skirts, ladies trousers and jackets	Men’s trousers
Abrasion resistance - number of rubs	20,000-25000 rubs	25,000	30,000 rubs	35,000 rubs
Colour fastness - scale of 1-5, 5 being highest	4-5	4-5	4-5	4-5
Snagging scale of 1-5, 5 being highest	3-4	4-5	3-4	4-5

Although the results have led to Technicare concluding a set of standards for Fashionizer garments, it is important to state that there are some anomalies in the results when compared to history of use. It is therefore recommended that wearer trials are conducted to complement the technical testing and that the entire process is not 100% foolproof.

By establishing these standards we are able to give an indication of the life span of garments, although this is on the understanding that the following guidelines are followed by customers:

• Please follow instructions for the purchase of garments for appropriate departments as indicated in descriptions.
• Please ensure garments are the right size according to the size guide and aren’t worn too tight.
• The standard issue of uniforms for a full time member of staff should at least consist of the following:
  

  2 Jackets 3 Blouses 3 Shirts

  2 Trousers 2 Skirts 3 Housekeeping outfits

• Garments should be worn in rotation. Wool garments should be “rested” between wears.
• Laundry care instructions in each garment are to be followed. Please do not use washing powders with bleaching agents on any of our products. We recommend using either Ariel or Persil Non Bio.
• Garments should be cleaned regularly. All dry cleaning should be done professionally and tailored garments ironed after dry cleaning. Under no circumstances are dry cleanable garments to be washed.

Based on the above standards and care the minimum life expectancy
of garments is as follows:

Garments can and will last longer, however the final life of garments is always dependant on the care the staff take, the fit of garments, laundry facilities and maintenance of uniforms as a whole.

• Shirts, Tunics and Dresses - 12 months
• Waistcoats, Skirts and Trousers - 12- 18 months
• Jackets - 18 - 24 months

We are able to test any additional specific requirements such as colour run for perspiration, wrinkle recovery or others, but these tests will be done at the client’s expense.