Looking Back at 2011—Ten Major Events in China's Laundry and Dyeing Industry

1. "Guiding Opinions of the Ministry of Commerce on Further Developing the Laundry and Dyeing Industry During the Twelfth Five-Year Plan Period" Released

The "Guiding Opinions of the Ministry of Commerce on Further Developing the Laundry and Dyeing Industry During the Twelfth Five-Year Plan Period" (Shang Fu Mao Fa [2011] No. 409) put forward specific guiding opinions and requirements on promoting the development of China's laundry and dyeing industry during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan from aspects such as guiding ideology, work objectives, tasks, and safeguard measures. It clearly stated: during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan period, strive to achieve an average annual growth of over 18% in laundry and dyeing industry revenue, breaking through 100 billion yuan by 2015; the industry structure will be gradually optimized, forming a number of regionally and nationally branded laundry enterprises with standardized management and strong competitiveness, and the rate of certified practitioners will reach over 30%.

2. National Laundry and Dyeing Standardization Technical Committee Approved for Establishment

The "National Laundry and Dyeing Standardization Technical Committee" was officially established with the approval of the National Standardization Management Committee. The first National Laundry and Dyeing Standardization Technical Committee consists of relevant departments of the Ministry of Commerce, the Laundry Professional Committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce, some local associations, key enterprises, and industry experts. The Laundry Professional Committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce undertakes the daily work of its secretariat.

This committee is mainly responsible for the formulation and revision of national standards in the laundry and dyeing industry, including basic standards, business management, service specifications, technical requirements, and laundry quality requirements.

3. "Laundry and Dyeing Service Operation Specifications" National Industry Standards Officially Implemented

The two national industry standards "Laundry and Dyeing Service Operation Specifications" and "Laundry and Dyeing Service Quality Requirements," drafted by the Laundry Professional Committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce, were promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce and officially implemented from December 1, 2011.

The "Laundry and Dyeing Service Operation Specifications" regulate the conditions for opening laundry shops, opening requirements, business management, service reception, processing production, quality responsibility, and compensation principles; the "Laundry and Dyeing Service Quality Requirements" strictly specify the service requirements for laundry attendants during service, as well as the requirements for washing, ironing, dyeing, and mending of clothing and public textiles, and the care requirements for leather and fur products.

4. The 7th National Laundry and Dyeing Vocational Skills Competition Successfully Held in Beijing

The 7th National Laundry and Dyeing Vocational Skills Competition was grandly held in August at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing. A total of 142 contestants from more than 20 provinces (municipalities, autonomous regions) including Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai participated in the finals.

The competition included six events: front desk service skills, stain removal skills, leather care skills, leather goods maintenance skills, clothing ironing skills, and garment mending skills. After fierce competition, 18 contestants who won the top three places were awarded trophies, certificates, and medals. The first-place winner was also awarded the honorary title of "National Technical Expert" by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. 131 outstanding contestants were awarded the title of "National Laundry and Dyeing Industry Technical Expert." Enterprises and associations that made outstanding contributions to the organization of the competition were also commended. The competition also set up a "Best Style Award."

       5. National Domestic Trade Basic Work Conference Held, Laundry and Dyeing Industry Statistics Work Launched

The "National Domestic Trade Basic Work Conference" organized by the Ministry of Commerce was held in December in Guangzhou. As part of the statistical evaluation system, the laundry and dyeing industry was included in the basic industry statistical system for the first time. This is of great significance for the accuracy of public information in the laundry and dyeing industry, strengthening statistical analysis and evaluation and the development and application of results, and improving the ability of statistical results to serve the industry, enterprises, and the entire service industry development.

The China General Chamber of Commerce Laundry Committee's national laundry industry price information survey work was also officially launched in 2011, with two survey results released in January and November respectively. This played a good role in deepening consumers' understanding of the laundry and dyeing industry, meeting operators' needs for related commodity price information, and providing industry consultation to the Ministry of Commerce and other departments.

        6. Laundry and Dyeing Industry Exhibitions Shine

In August and November 2011, the "2011 (12th) China International Laundry and Dyeing Industry Exhibition" and the "Asia International Textile Professional Treatment (Laundry) Exhibition" were held successively at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing.

Among them, the "2011 (12th) China International Laundry and Dyeing Industry Exhibition" hosted by the Laundry Professional Committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce attracted thousands of laundry and dyeing industry professionals from across the country, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, as well as Europe, America, and Southeast Asian countries. Concurrently held events such as the "7th National Laundry and Dyeing Vocational Skills Competition Finals," "Laundry and Dyeing Industry Summit Forum," "China Laundry and Dyeing Industry High-Level Working Conference," and the "2011 China Laundry and Dyeing Industry Outstanding Supplier" selection were brilliant highlights. Leaders from the Ministry of Commerce, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, China General Chamber of Commerce, and Beijing Municipal Commerce Commission attended the series of activities hosted by the Laundry Committee.

    7. First National Laundry Industry Association Secretaries-General Joint Meeting Held

In November 2011, the "First National Laundry Industry Association Secretaries-General Joint Working Meeting" organized by the Laundry Professional Committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce was held at the Bohai Pearl Hotel in Dalian. More than 30 chairpersons (vice chairpersons) or secretaries-general responsible for daily association work and some key enterprise representatives from provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shenyang, Hebei, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Henan, Guangdong, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Ningxia, Hangzhou, Dalian, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Jinan, and Xi'an attended the meeting. Relevant leaders from the Ministry of Commerce attended the meeting.
The meeting focused on discussing the "National Laundry Service Dispute Resolution Measures (Draft for Discussion)", "Laundry Service Quality Appraisal Work Procedures (Draft for Discussion)", and "Industry Information Statistics Implementation Plan," and exchanged experiences and insights on association work.

      8. Related Media Undercover in Laundry Shops Expose "Inside Stories," Causing Shock Inside and Outside the Industry

In the second half of the year, two incidents regarding the so-called "laundry shops exposed for chaotic operations" spread online, sparking public concern about the service quality of the laundry and dyeing industry. The Laundry and Dyeing Committee and related enterprises also provided objective and timely responses. The Committee stated: The exposure of irregular business practices in some shops within the industry has attracted widespread attention and strong reactions in the media, indicating the growing impact of the laundry and dyeing industry on people's lives and increasing public concern. We believe that this incident serves as a warning to industry enterprises, helping them improve their operational standards, and will positively contribute to the long-term healthy development of the entire laundry industry. Enterprises will pay more attention to building their brand image in future development.

9. The National Occupational Classification is being revised and improved, with the laundry and dyeing industry eager to add new job types

To adapt to changes in the social occupational structure brought about by economic and social development in China, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has begun revising and improving the "Occupational Classification of the People's Republic of China." The collection of information on occupational revisions and proposed new occupations in the laundry and dyeing industry is undertaken by the Laundry and Dyeing Professional Committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce.

The current revision involves three existing occupations in the laundry and dyeing industry: "Laundry Master," "Dyer," and "Leather Care Worker." Through industry research and demonstration, the Laundry and Dyeing Professional Committee of the China General Chamber of Commerce has identified "Mender," "Tailor," "Shoe Repairer," and "Laundry and Dyeing Salesperson" as new occupational categories to be proposed.

       10. The internet and Weibo continue to heat up, with the laundry and dyeing industry tapping into new streams of information

Weibo has risen rapidly across the internet and is unstoppable. It is not only a product of the new generation of convenient online communication but also a new platform for industry enterprises to release information promptly. Influencers in the laundry and dyeing industry have also opened Weibo accounts. The Laundry and Dyeing Committee has launched Weibo accounts such as "China General Chamber of Commerce Laundry and Dyeing Professional Committee," "China Laundry Network," "China Leather Care," "China Laundry Journal," and "China Laundry and Dyeing Association" on Sina Weibo.