The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) launched TM212-2021, a new method to test fiber shedding during home laundering which aims to tackle the amount of water pollution caused by microfibres and microplastics.
Pollution from fiber fragments released during the laundering process has become a concern for the textile industry, the media and end consumers in the last few years. Research has proven that all textiles release fiber fragments, not just synthetic textiles, but also natural textiles and blendsi, ii. All segments of the industry, including brands, retailers, and suppliers, making various textile products, whether fashion and outdoor apparel, sportswear or home textiles, would like to demonstrate their environmental responsibility and help the textile industry reduce fiber fragmentation discharge into the environment.
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has developed a standardized test method, for evaluating fiber fragmentation of textiles during home care. AATCC TM212-2021 Fiber Fragment Release During Home Launderingiii, is applicable to all textiles that are expected to withstand home laundering.
The objective of this small-scale test method is to determine the mass of fiber fragments released in laundering. Specimens are tested under conditions of temperature, detergent (optional), and agitation by using an accelerated laundering testing machine. The wash liquor is filtered and the mass of fiber fragmentation is measured.
SGS worked closely with AATCC in the development of this test method and has capability to conduct AATCC TM212-2021. In addition, SGS is approved by The Microfiber Consortium (TMC) to provide small scale TMC test services for the industryiv. SGS also offers testing services for evaluating fiber fragmentation of finished products based on our in-house full-scale method, since 2017
The AATCC TM212-2021 is now available through the AATCC website and will be included in the AATCC 2022 Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures to be released in January 2022.
References
i CIA Brochure
ii Microfibre Shedding – Topic FAQ
iii AATCC Method Quantifies Fiber Shedding
iv SGS Approved by The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) as its First Third-Party Laboratory Member
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