"The WASH&LOAD project aim is to scientifically characterise latest achievements in science and technology for the development of Guidelines and Pre-normative research aimed at supporting the more than 20,000 SMEs involved in the functional clothing value chain in implementing cost-effective practices for reloading protective functionalities in protective clothing and bed linen textiles during life cycle, going beyond scattered attempts so far. Addressing this challenge goes beyond the capability of a single SME and requires a collective R&D effort lead by SME groupings and associations at European and national level.The new WASH&LOAD laundry system is based on a monitoring system controls the concentration of chemicals in the bath during the re-functionalisation process ensuring that the correct level of functionalisation is provided while avoiding waste; the refuctionalized garment is checked again after the process to assess the functionality level and validate the process. These elements provide the combination of a new product/process/service system, drastically extending the business model of the laundry business. The WASH&LOAD concept of a validated refunctionalisation of textiles is based on the point that the functionalisation is always kept at the optimal level, by adding just the right amount of functional agents; in this way the effectiveness is preserved through the whole life cycle without using excessive quantities of chemicals, hence better breathability of the garment and a reduction of waste.A preliminary analysis of the current laundry process has been made, identifying the steps where changes are needed to carry out the refuctionalisation process/service. In order to include the “in the process” re-functionalisation in the current process, it will need just a slight modification of existing machines, thus ensuring a wide exploitation potential of the proposed approach."