If you are curious about Tensile Strength, Tear Strength, Seam Failure, Dimensional Stability, Appearance Retention, Flammability, Crocking etc. You have come to the proper place.
Words Garment Manufacturers
do NOT like to hear
Important Testing:
Colorfastness to Crocking (AATCC Test Method 8-2001): This test is designed to determine the amount of color transferred from the surface of colored textile materials to other surfaces by rubbing. It is applicable to textiles made from all fibers in the form of yarn or fabric whether dyed, printed or otherwise colored. Testing procedures employ white test cloth squares. Testing is usually done for both wet and dry crocking (wet is cloth that is wet with water). Color transfered to the white test cloth after rubbing, is assessed by a comparison with the Gray Scale for Staining or the Chromatic Transference Scale and a grade is assigned. Because washing, drycleaning, shrinkage, ironing, finishing, etc., may effect the degree of color transfer from the material, the test may be made before, after or before and after such treatment.
Learn about the many other important issues to test for when evaluating fabrics, clothing, footwear, or fashion accessories.
Learn about fabric & Clothing Testing Methods.
fabric & Clothing Testing Methods
AATCC: is a leader in education,
technology transfer and test method development for the textile wet processing
industry, responding to its membership needs, functioning as an information
disseminator, and providing services around the world.
Testing Methods .
American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM): There mission is
to be the foremost developer and provider of voluntary consensus standards,
related technical information, and services having internationally recognized
quality and applicability that promote public health and safety, and the
overall quality of life; contribute to the reliability of materials, products,
systems and services; and facilitate national, regional, and international
commerce.
ANSI: American National Standards
Institute. Visit the quality standards regarding
Textiles &
Leather (ISO ICS 59 Textiles and Leather Technology) and standards for
the
Clothing Industry (ISO ICS 61 Clothing Industry).
AOQC Moody International, Inc.: ISO/qS/aS 9000 and ISO 14001 quality management systems assessment and
registration services. Offers accredited Auditor.
ASQ (American
Society of Quality): The American Society for Quality (ASQ) has been the
leading quality improvement organization in the United States for more than
50 years. Its members have initiated most of the quality methods used throughout
the world, including statistical process control, quality cost measurement
and control, total quality management, failure analysis, and zero defects.
ASTM: ASTM
International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations
in the world-a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products,
systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market
relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information
infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global
economy. ASTM International, originally known as the American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM), was formed over a century ago.
Flammability Testing (from ASTM)
Standard Test Method for
Flammability of Apparel Textiles
Benchmarking Exchange, The: on-line resource dedicated to the practice of benchmarking, reengineering,
and process and quality improvement.
CEN: European
Committee for Standardization.
GL: total commitment to
safety and quality.
INDA (Association of
the Non-woven fabrics Industry): testing methods. INDA, Association
of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, serves hundreds of member companies in
the nonwovens / engineered fabrics industry doing business globally.
Since 1968, INDA networking events have helped members connect, innovate
and develop their businesses. INDA educational courses, market data,
test methods, consultancy and issue advocacy help members succeed by
providing them the information they need to better plan and execute
their business strategies.
Integrated Quality Resources:
become ISO 9000 or QS 9000 compliant/registered.
International Certifications Ltd: Worldwide Quality certification and compliance. ICL, the only company
you need.
International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) includes information on standards for
textiles and clothing. They provide ISO standards publications through
ISO members. If you are in the USA, you can purchase through the ANSI
which you can also find on this page.
International & Regional Standards Organizations
Voluntary consensus standards for products, processes and services are
at the foundation of the U.S. economy and society. The United States has
a proud tradition of developing and using voluntary standards to support
the needs of our citizens and the competitiveness of U.S. industry in
the world's business market.
NIST: National Institute of Standards
and Technology (USA)
- National Standards Bodies : International standardization is well-established for many technologies in such diverse fields as information processing and communications, textiles, packaging, distribution of goods, energy production and utilization, shipbuilding, banking and financial services. International standards will continue to grow in importance for all sectors of industrial activity for the foreseeable future. International standards can facilitate world trade by effectively removing technical barriers to trade, leading to new market opportunities and economic growth.
Oeko-Tex Association [Oeko-Tex
100 standard]: In the late eighties, the Austrian Textile Research Institute
TI ('sterreichische Textil-Forschungsinstitut) in Vienna, developed a testing
scheme for textiles relating to harmful substances, the "TN 100".
The Institute tested textiles, clothing and floor coverings to the testing
criteria involved. By 1991, ten companies were already certified to this
human ecological test system. Building on this wealth of knowledge and joining
forces with a similar scheme; "ko-Check", developed by the German
textile institute; " Forschungsinstitut Hohenstein", the "Internationale
Gemeinschaft f r Forschung and Prufung auf dem Gebiet der Textil kologie";
or "OekoTex"; was developed in 1992. The first task for the International
Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology was
the elaboration of the "ko-Tex Standard 100", to enable the testing
of textiles and clothing for their human ecology properties. This standard
contains analytical tests for specified harmful substances and gives limiting
values based on scientific considerations. A manufacturer whose product
meets the requirements set by the standard is licensed to use the registered
mark or label "Tested for Harmful Substances according to Oeko-Tex
Standard 100" on his product. At the beginning of 1993, further renowned
textile institutes joined the International Association as members. All
members tested textile products to the same Oeko-Tex standard 100 methods
and accordingly used the registered label to certify these products - "Confidence
in Textiles. Tested for Harmful Substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard
100." In 1995, the first edition of the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 was
issued. Here the requirements for environmentally friendly production were
outlined. Manufacturing sites fulfilling a strict set of limiting value
criteria, addressing areas such as banned chemicals and harmful manufacturing
processes were licenced to carry the label; "Umweltfreundliche Betriebssttte"
(lit. Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Site) and were able to then
demonstrate an environmental management system. First organisations were
subsequently audited in a pilot project. In 1999, the label "Oeko-Tex
Standard 100 plus" was awarded for the first time. This related to
a finished product, which fulfilled the requirements of the Oeko-Tex Standard
100 and was also produced only on sites carrying the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000
licence.
Profit Technologies: Service company providing effective quality management solutions for business
Quality Assurance Support
Group: free interactive, online courses on quality related topics such
as ISO 9000 and QS-9000
Quality Certification Bureau Inc.
- QCB: RvA and SCC accredited registrar, ISO 9000, QS 9000 and ISO
14000 registration services.
Quality Systems Registrars -
SFS: Finnish standards association.
A commitment to integrity and quality in all that they do has been a cornerstone
of QSR® since they were founded in 1990 so it's no coincidence that they
maintain a 95 percent customer retention level and that their auditors have
been with them an average of ten years. Along the way, they have become
one of the most respected, and arguably, the most credible and consistent
registrar you'll find.
SFS: Finnish Standardization Organization
Supplier Quality Associates: SQA, a worldwide leader in QA technical services, provides its clients
with highly skilled local resources. Since its founding in 1995 by
father and son Jim McKay and J. Michael McKay, SQA has pursued a vision
of helping companies improve. Chaired by Jim McKay, who pioneered Supplier
Quality Management services in the 70s, SQA is widely recognized as a key
body of knowledge, a flexible global resource, and a proven solution provider
for today's complex supply environments. SQA leads in providing managed
supplier quality services for audits, corrective actions, inspections and
engineering to manufacturers within the healthcare, aerospace and high tech
industries. They deliver their services by deploying associates located
throughout the United States and in over 50 countries around the world.
They are expert quality assurance professionals with broad experience and
local knowledge. They put you on-site faster, eliminate travel budgets and
work only when needed.
TUV America: ISO 9000, QS-9000 &
ISO 14000 Registrar; EU/german Product Testing & Certification Services
for Automotive, Co
TUV Essen: ISO 9000 Registrar
QS-9000 Registrar ISO 14000 Certification Registration
Underwriters Laboratories Inc:
a provider of product safety certification and quality system registration
services (ISO 9000, QS-9000 and ISO 14000).
VICS: Cross-industry standards
for the general merchandise and retail industry.
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