Dalian non-mandatory standards guide the laundry industry; if delivery is delayed by more than 3 days, compensate 10% of the laundry fee.

Yesterday, two local standards regarding the laundry and dyeing industry, proposed by the Service Industry Committee, the Consumer Association, and the Laundry and Dyeing Industry Association, were officially announced. Relevant departments hope to guide the city's laundry and dyeing industry with the two non-mandatory standards, "Technical Specifications for Laundry and Dyeing Services" and "Standards for Classification and Evaluation of Laundry and Dyeing Industry," to help this rapidly developing but increasingly complex industry develop in a healthier and more orderly manner.

　　In addition to dividing the city's laundry and dyeing business units into five star levels, the most notable content of the two standards is the clarification of the specific responsibilities for service quality and compensation clauses in the laundry and dyeing industry. When consumers have disputes with business units over laundry issues, as long as the business unit declares acceptance of the standard, the dispute resolution will have clear rules to follow.

　　New detailed quality responsibility rules clarify the responsibilities of both parties in disputes

　　According to a relevant person in charge of the Service Industry Committee, the city's laundry and dyeing industry has developed rapidly in recent years. Currently, there are more than 1,000 laundry and dyeing business units in the city, with over 5,000 employees and an annual output value exceeding 70 million yuan. However, due to the overall low level, incomplete standards, outdated supervision and inspection equipment, and uneven technical skills of employees, many laundry quality disputes have arisen. Statistics show that disputes mainly focus on two aspects: first, laundry quality issues such as damage, color bleeding, dyeing, deformation of clothes; second, service issues such as laundry prices and irregularities in receipt filling. Quality issues account for more than 80%.

　　The new "Technical Specifications for Laundry and Dyeing Services" adds service quality responsibility clauses, which clarify the responsibilities and obligations of consumers and business units during the reception process, playing a significant role in resolving disputes and protecting the rights of both parties.

　　Whether the standards are mandatory depends on the business units

　　According to a relevant person in charge of the Municipal Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau, both standards are non-mandatory, and the standards set are recommended standards. Laundry and dyeing business units can choose whether to comply with these standards. It is introduced that both the technical specifications and the classification evaluation standards have a certain degree of advancement. "For example, regarding the classification evaluation standards, among the more than 1,000 laundry and dyeing business units in our city, not many can reach the minimum one-star level," the person in charge said, "however, these standards have guiding significance, and business units improving according to these standards will greatly promote the development of our city's laundry and dyeing industry."

　　Because these are not mandatory standards, in case of disputes, only if the business unit has declared beforehand that it complies with the new standards can both parties determine their responsibilities according to the "Technical Specifications for Laundry and Dyeing Services." "Therefore, consumers should try to choose laundry shops with star rating signs, because displaying the sign indicates that the business unit has chosen to comply with the new standards."

　　The Municipal Consumer Association reminds consumers to try to choose laundry shops with star rating signs, ask for receipts when sending clothes for cleaning, and agree on a value retention price for valuable clothes. When collecting clothes, consumers should check the laundry effect and raise questions promptly if any doubts arise. Be cautious when choosing prepaid services such as laundry cards or coupons. If the business unit cannot redeem laundry cards or coupons due to special reasons, the business unit should bear the corresponding responsibility.

　　Link to detailed quality responsibility rules:

　　Wear without damage should be proactively explained

　　For clothes and pants with severe wear on collars, sleeves, crotch, hips, etc., but not torn, the operator should proactively inform the consumer and note it on the receipt. Damage caused after washing and ironing processing may not be compensated. The operator may provide free repairs.

　　Washing not exceeding five days, single ironing not exceeding three days

　　Operators should agree on delivery time limits (except for special circumstances). If clothes are not delivered within 3 days past the agreed time without special reasons, the operator should compensate the consumer 10% of the laundry fee. Regarding delivery time limits, the new standard stipulates washing not exceeding five days, single ironing not exceeding three days, dyeing not exceeding ten days, mending not exceeding seven days, and leather clothes not exceeding ten days. Special requirements should be negotiated by both parties.

　　Special washing requirements should be advised to consumers

　　When accepting clothes, operators should advise consumers of any special washing requirements and note them on the laundry receipt as agreed. If not noted and the clothes are not clean, the operator should reprocess once; if noted and after washing and special treatment the stains cannot be removed, confirmed by industry management and testing departments, the consumer should bear the testing fee. If the consumer does not accept the operator's advice, the consequences are borne by the consumer.

　　For special stains, the operator may charge an additional stain treatment fee.

　　Value retention laundry fees must not exceed 10% of the clothes' quoted price.

　　If consumers do not pick up their clothes after sending them for cleaning, and the storage period exceeds 30 days, an additional charge of 1 yuan per item per day will be added. After six months, the operator has the right to dispose of the items. For overdue undelivered clothes, the operator should also compensate the consumer 1 yuan per item per day.

　　For valuable clothes or items worth more than 1,000 yuan, consumers should proactively declare the value and make a written agreement for special value retention and fine cleaning services. The value retention laundry fee must not exceed 10% of the consumer's quoted price. Clothes without agreed value retention fine cleaning will be treated as ordinary clothes for washing. (The clothes' quoted price must be supported by the original invoice.)

　　If accessories attached to clothes are not entrusted for safekeeping, the store is exempt from liability.

　　Consumers can sign agreements with operators regarding laundry quality and related compensation claims using the receipt. In case of disputes, the agreement will be followed. The operator is not responsible in the following cases: consumers do not follow the operator's advice or insist on washing according to the manufacturer's washing instructions without negotiation, resulting in quality problems; quality problems caused by incorrect washing labels or fabric issues during normal washing; quality problems with accessories, trademarks, or labels attached to clothes that were not entrusted to the operator for safekeeping; conflicts arising from washing methods based on fabric for inseparable accessories and labels; problems caused by consumers losing the receipt and failing to communicate with the operator in time, resulting in wrong or lost clothes.

　　For partial clothing issues, the maximum compensation amount does not exceed 10% of the original price.

　　If the operator causes clothes to be scorched, uneven coloring (oiling) on leather garments that cannot be repaired, shrinkage, brittleness, color transfer, or washing damage due to poor management or careless operation, compensation should be provided. 1. Depreciation compensation is based on the original price or the price agreed upon by both parties and the purchase receipt date. The annual depreciation rate shall not exceed 25%, increasing year by year, with a maximum depreciation of no more than 70%; 2. If only part of the clothing has issues but does not affect normal wear, the operator should focus on repair, with the maximum compensation not exceeding 10% of the original price of the clothing; 3. If the consumer cannot provide a purchase receipt, compensation can be negotiated with the operator, with the maximum compensation not exceeding 10 times the laundry fee; 4. Sets are generally calculated by piece. When the price of clothes and pants cannot be determined, the set price should be calculated according to the ratio of 6:4 for clothes and pants; 5. If the operator's poor custody causes the washed clothes to be lost or damaged, depreciation compensation shall be made based on the original price or the price agreed upon by both parties and the purchase receipt. The annual depreciation rate is 10%, with a maximum depreciation not exceeding 50%. If clothing accessories are lost, only single-item configuration or compensation is made. For compensation due to clothing damage, the clothing belongs to the operator (except when both parties negotiate to provide trade compensation).

　　If the washing and dyeing quality cannot be directly identified, it shall be sent to the relevant department for appraisal. If the consumer sends for inspection and it is determined not to be a quality issue, the inspection fee shall be borne by the consumer; if it is determined to be a quality issue, the inspection fee shall be borne by the responsible party, and compensation shall be provided according to this specification. If the operator sends for inspection and it is determined not to be a quality issue, the inspection fee shall be borne by the consumer; if it is determined to be a quality issue, the inspection fee shall be borne by the responsible party.

　　Immediate Comment: Only with high standards can strict requirements be imposed.

　　The newly introduced service and grading standards for the laundry and dyeing industry are refreshing.

　　The quality responsibility standards are detailed and in place, which is equivalent to both parties recognizing the service standards and is the premise for resolving disputes. The non-mandatory nature of the rules reflects operational flexibility, which can both guide the development direction of the laundry and dyeing industry and give operators room for choice: high standards correspond to strict requirements and the establishment of service brands, while low standards may mean market loss, which is very fair.