September 19, 2008
Revisions to Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles
The Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles, 16 CFR Part 1610, has been revised. Changes have been made to the laundering/dry cleaning procedures but not to the pass/fail criteria.
Significant changes to the Standard include the following:
- Definitions and Explanation – Definitions have been added for raised fiber surface textile fabric, plain surface textile fabric, refurbishing, long dimension, specimen, sample, base burn, burn-out patterns, narrow fabrics, metallic thread fabrics, and leis, feathers and fringes.
- Test Requirements – Information is provided with regard to the need for testing of additional specimens. In the past, when the testing of five specimens resulted in five DNI’s (did not ignite), five additional specimens needed to be tested. Under the revised standard, these additional tests are no longer necessary.
- Refurbishing Procedure –
- Laundering: This method of laundering has been changed from hand wash to machine wash, following AATCC 124-2006.
- Dry Cleaning: Because of the restrictions in the handling of perchlorethylene, the new procedure allows commercial dry cleaning to be used.
- Desiccating Agent: The desiccant to be used is silica gel, which is the same desiccant used for children’s sleepwear.
Effective Date: The revised Standard is effective September 22, 2008, which is 180 days after the final rule was published on March 28, 2008.
The ASTM D1230, Option B, has been used by most testing companies since it was adopted in 1994. Under this standard, the AATCC Method 135 for laundering is utilized. It states, "If no care instructions are given, machine wash warm (120°F) and tumble dry on the normal or permanent press setting." This presumes that laundering is done according to the care label. It should be noted that, as written, the newly revised standard does not allow the item to be laundered according to the care label.
Link to Revised Standard.
STR offers comprehensive testing and quality assurance services to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of softlines products. Our expert technical staff has extensive experience evaluating the quality of all types of consumer softlines products including garments, fabrics, home furnishings, and hosiery. STR’s services include comprehensive design evaluation, safety testing, audit, inspection as well as responsible sourcing services. For more information, contact us at inquiry@strus.com.
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