Textile Sciences

ASTM International Textiles Executive Subcommittee Appoints Indian Sustainable Textile Expert Shreyaskar Chaudhary as Chairman

2011-02-11T21:20:00.000+05:30

ASTM International Textiles Executive Subcommittee Appoints Indian Sustainable Textile Expert Shreyaskar Chaudhary as Chairman

AATCC Washer and Dryers

2010-11-25T05:09:00.000+05:30

Hi Everyone

Based on the new Home Laundering monogram published in June of 2011 by AATCC, there has been a big misconception in the market that AATCC test methods are all being emended to do away with the current use of Top Loading washers and replace them with HE Front loaders.

I have done my home work by contacting reliable sources in AATCC and can inform as follows

1. HE Front loaders have been included in the new HL only to start the process of including them in test methods in the future, this future is not yet determined.

2.None of the Test methods that currently use top loaders are being amended to include HE front loaders as a washing conditions.

3. So there will be no change to washing conditions in the 2011 manual in any of these test methods.

4.For now and for the forseeable fututre, front loaders will be the option to use.

I would like to add that changing the washing conditions to HE Front loaders is not as simple as amending AATCC test methods alone.
FTC has to amend its 16CFR 423 ( Care labeling regulation) to include front loaders, only then can these machines be used for testing.

So dont add HE front loaders into your shopping list.
Of course , as a lab, you may be confronted with retailers who may ask you for results from HE front loaders, that is their prerogative , and your business.

ASTM International Conference on Textiles Light and Weather-fastness

2010-10-30T12:50:00.000+05:30

ASTM International –

Technical Committee D13 Textiles - International Conference

Title: International Conference on Textiles Light and Weather-fastness
Date: Friday January 21 2011
Location: Textile Committee Auditorium; Mumbai, India

About The Event
Technical Program
Registration Information
Technical Chair Contact Information
Hotel Information

ABOUT THE EVENT

An International Conference on Textiles – Light and Weather-fastness will be held Friday, 21 January 2011. Sponsored by ASTM International, Atlas Materials Testing Technology and DyStar, the conference will be held at the India Textile Committee Auditorium in Mumbai, India.

Objective
To present cutting edge information on the topics of light and weather-fastness by international experts and to enable a unique information exchange.

Why it is Important to Attend
The conference will provide a platform for knowledge and information exchange that supports the exponential demand for technical and high performance textiles.

Who Should Attend

Quality Control Managers in Textile Laboratories
Product Designers
R&D Staff in the Dyestuff Industry
Persons Involved in Development of Specifications
Commercial Test Laboratories

TECHNICAL PROGRAM

To view the preliminary technical program, (which includes presentation titles, presenters names), please click on http://myastm.astm.org/MEETINGS/SYMPOSIAPROGRAMS/D13ID1882.pdf.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The conference registration form is available below. The conference fees include: copies of conference presentations, refreshments and lunch.

Students – A student's fee is waived, provided that he/she is a full-time student and is not employed full time.

All attendees, including presenters, are urged to register using the "Registration Form" for this event so that space requirements can be accommodated. All attendees must check in at the conference registration desk upon arrival.

Category

Online

On Site

	Before 20 December 2010	After 20 December 2010
Individual	Rs. 2400	Rs. 3000
Speaker	No charge	No charge
Student	No charge	No charge

Online

On Site

If you have questions concerning registration, please contact Dr. Siva Pariti,

siva.pariti@DYSTAR.com or +91 22 61419063.

TECHNICAL CHAIR CONTACT INFORMATION :

Additional information about the workshop is available from the conference planners:

Mr. Bruno Bentjerodt, Atlas MTT GmbH, Germany, BBentjerodt@atlasmtt.de +49 (0) 6051-7070245 Mr. Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan, ASTM International, Madras, India, textile1@astm.org +91 44 2615 1791; Dr. Siva Pariti, DyStar, Navi Mumbai, India, siva.pariti@DYSTAR.com +91 22 61419063.

HOTEL INFORMATION :

Limited number of rooms are available on payment basis. If you need accommodation in Bombay please contact Mr. Bruno Benjerodt BBentjerodt@atlasmtt.de +49 (0) 6051-7070245

Free AATCC & ASTM International Webinar

2010-10-04T05:55:00.000+05:30

You are invited to a webinar sponsored by

ASTM International

and

AATCC American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

This 65 minute webinar will be webcast live on Monday, 18 October 2010 beginning at*

4:00 PM in India and Srilanka,
3.30 PM in Pakistan
4.30 PM in Bangladesh.

*For times in other countries, please calculate based on Indian time which is GMT + 5.30

TITLE:

AATCC and ASTM International – Standards Enabling Textile Testing

TOPIC:

A fundamental review of testing standards required for textile manufacturing. Presenters will provide a basic overview of

Durability tests (largely covering –tensile and tear) and
Color Fastness to Crocking (rubbing) standards.

PRESENTERS:

Chris Leonard – AATCC Technical Director
Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan – ASTM International Trainer and Technical and Services Consultant
Teresa J. Cendrowska – ASTM Vice President, Global Cooperation

NO FEES - PRE-REGISTRATION is REQUIRED

· There are no fees for the webinar, however space is limited.

· Preregistration for the webinar is required.

· Please use the following link to register for the webinar before Thursday, 13 October 2010 https://astm.webex.com/astm/k2/j.phpED=146861537&UID=1139272437&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D&FM=1)

· Registration will be first come first serve basis

Note on Questions and Clarifications

· You may also indicate any questions you may have for the presenters in advance of the webinar. Please include any questions in an email to Teresa Cendrowska (tcendrow@astm.org) on or before Tuesday, 11 October 2010.

· You will have a limited opportunity to ask questions during the webinar.

· Questions not addressed during the webinar will receive email responses following the webinar.

Organizers reserve the right to cancel or postpone the program without prior notice or without giving any reason.

US Customs Withdraws Proposed Revocation of "First Sale" Rule

2010-09-30T05:00:00.001+05:30

Source : National Textile Association News

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in today's Federal Register (75 FR 60134) notice of withdrawal of proposed interpretation of the expression``Sold For Exportation to the United States'' as used in the transaction value method of valuation in a series of sales importation scenario.
The "first sale rule" can be used to determine the transaction value of imported goods in certain circumstances. An item that is imported into the United States may have been subject to several transactions, with each interim buyer adding to the ultimate price paid by the U.S. importer. Current law allows U.S. importers, under certain conditions, to base the valuation of a product entering the United States on the first or earlier sale in a series of transactions, rather than the last one. For example, an item may be produced in China, sold to a middleman in Hong Kong, and in turn sold to a buyer/importer in Los Angeles; the "first sale rule" would allow the U.S. importer to declare the product's value, for import duty purposes, as the price of the original China-Hong Kong transaction.
On January 24, 2008, CBP published in the Federal Register (73 FR 4254) a notice informing interested parties that CBP was proposing a new interpretation of the expression ``sold for exportation to the United States'' for purposes of applying the transaction value method of valuation in a series of sales importation scenario. Under this proposed interpretation, in a transaction involving a series of sales, the price actually paid or payable for the imported goods when sold for exportation to the United States would be the price paid in the last sale occurring prior to the introduction of the goods into the United States, instead of the first (or earlier) sale. Accordingly, the transaction value would typically be determined on the basis of the price paid by the buyer in the United
States.
After CBP published its proposed interpretation document, Congress enacted the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246, 122 Stat. 1651 (June 18, 2008)) (``the Act''), in which section 15422 required the Commissioner of CBP to collect information from importers for a one-year period as to whether the declared value was based on a ``first sale'' in a series of sales transactions. CBP was required to report the data to the International Trade Commission (ITC) on a monthly basis and, in turn, the ITC was required to submit a report to Congress within 90 days of receiving CBP's final report.
In their written submission, the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition AMTAC) and the National Textile Association (NTA) urged the Commission to include in its report an analysis of the percent of textile and apparel imports entered under the first sale rule method during the reviewed period, both by value and by volume.
Over the 12-month period investigated, from September 1, 2008, to August 31, 2009, a total of 23,520 unique importing entities reported using the "first sale rule." These account for 8.5 percent of all U.S. importing entities. In the textile, apparel and footwear sector the percentage of importers using the "first sale rule" was 14 percent.
In terms of import value, of the $1.63 trillion in total U.S. imports over the period, $38.5 billion was imported using the "first sale rule," or about 2.4 percent of total U.S. imports. In the textile, apparel and footwear sector the percentage of importers using the "first sale rule" was about 6 percent.
In providing background information on the First Sale rule, AMTAC and NTA contended
that the first sale rule is inconsistent with this longstanding use by the United States Government of tariffs on imports to provide not only revenue, but also a level of protection appropriate to domestic industry. The first sale rule encourages importers to circumvent the policy choices made by Congress and the Administration.
With today's notice CBP withdraws the proposed change from a "first sale" to "last sale" rule.

ASTM Standards Update dated 28th Sept 2010

2010-09-28T05:35:00.001+05:30

New Approved ASTM Standards

D123 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles has been editorially changed, available as D123-09e1

D3511/D3511M - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Brush Pilling Tester has been editorially changed, available as D3511/D3511M-10e1

D3512/D3512M - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Random Tumble Pilling Tester has been editorially changed, available as D3512/D3512M-10e1

D4030/D4030M - Standard Specification for Glass Fiber Cord and Sewing Thread has been editorially changed, available as D4030/D4030M-09e1

D4970/D4970M - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester has been editorially changed, available as D4970/D4970M-10e1

ASTM Member Training on how to be a smart technical committee member

2010-09-08T21:01:00.001+05:30

ASTM International is pleased to offer a series of free one hour online training workshops. There are several different training sessions offered to assist you as a member, including Balloting & Handling Negative Votes, Developing & Revising a Standard, Work Item Collaboration Area Training, ASTM Online Training, New Member Orientation as well as several others.

For more details on an upcoming session and to register, please click on the appropriate link(s) below. For a list of all the sessions, please click on this link: http://www.astm.org/MEMBER_TRAINING/

List of upcoming sessions:

New Member Orientation

Developing & Revising a Standard Training Session

Balloting & Handling Negative Votes Training

Work Item Collaboration Area Training

ASTM Online Training Session

Interlaboratory Studies Program Training Session

Wednesday, November 10 at 2 pm EST

Training on WebEx Meetings

Tuesday, October 5 at 2 pm EDT

Roster Maintenance Training

Tuesday, October 5 at 11 am EDT

If you need more information or have any questions, please contact Kevin Shanahan at kshanaha@astm.org or (610) 832-9737.

ASTM Textile Standards update 7th Sept 2010

2010-09-08T06:35:00.001+05:30

New Approved ASTM Standards

D2057 - Standard Test Method for Colorfastness of Zippers to Laundering has been reapproved, available as D2057-05(2010)

D2060 - Standard Test Methods for Measuring Zipper Dimensions has been reapproved, available as D2060-00(2010)

D3693 - Standard Specification for Labeled Length per Holder of Sewing Thread has been reapproved, available as D3693-02(2010)

D4389/D4389M - Standard Specification for Finished Glass Fabrics Woven From Rovings has been reapproved (with editorial change), available as D4389/D4389M-04(2010)e1

D5238 - Standard Test Method for Smoldering Combustion Potential of Cotton-Based Batting has been revised to D5238-10

D6478 - Standard Test Method for Determining Specific Packability of Fabrics Used in Inflatable Restraints has been revised to D6478-10

New ASTM Work Items

WK30250 -Test Methods for Wale and Course Count of Weft Knit Fabrics

AATCC / ASTM International India Service associates

2010-09-08T06:11:00.001+05:30

AATCC and ASTM International Membership Services Associates
Office Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday-Friday Indian Standard Time ( GMT +5.30)

Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan
Accredited Trainer and Service Associate
+91 44 2615 1791

Sumathy
Assistant
+91 917 692 2272

Tamilselvi
Bookkeeper
+91 917 692 2273

Saritha
Member Volunteer
+91 988 484 1414

ASTM Textile Standards Update News 31/ August / 2010

2010-08-31T05:31:00.001+05:30

New Approved ASTM Standards

D2052 - Standard Test Method for Colorfastness of Zippers to Drycleaning has been reapproved, available as D2052-05(2010)

D2053 - Standard Test Method for Colorfastness of Zippers to Light has been reapproved, available as D2053-99(2010)

D2054 - Standard Test Method for Colorfastness of Zipper Tapes to Crocking has been reapproved, available as D2054-99(2010)

D4157 - Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Oscillatory Cylinder Method) has been revised to D4157-10

D4975 - Standard Test Methods for Single-Filament Tire Bead Wire Made from Steel has been reapproved, available as D4975-04(2010)

D5684 - Standard Terminology Relating to Pile Floor Coverings has been revised to D5684-10

D6603 - Standard Guide for Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles has been revised to D6603-10

New ASTM Work Items

WK30166 - Standard Terminology of Basic Sewing Machine Stitches for Home Use is a work item revision to existing standard D5646-96(2008)

ASTM International Standards Update

2010-08-24T04:46:00.001+05:30

Dated24th August 2010

A new copy of the following ASTM standards and Work Items descriptions are available.

New Approved ASTM Standards

D3939/D3939M - Standard Test Method for Snagging Resistance of Fabrics (Mace) has been revised (with designation change) to D3939/D3939M-10
D4845 - Standard Terminology Relating to Wool has been revised to D4845-10
D4970/D4970M - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester has been revised (with designation change) to D4970/D4970M-10
D5848 - Standard Test Method for Mass Per Unit Area of Pile Yarn Floor Coverings has been revised to D5848-10
D6466 - Standard Test Method for Diameter of Wool and Other Animal Fibers By Sirolan-Laserscan Fiber Diameter Analyser has been revised to D6466-10
D6545 - Standard Test Method for Flammability of Textiles Used in Children's Sleepwear has been reinstated as D6545-10
D6719 - Standard Guide for Standard Test Methods and Practices for Evaluating Pile Yarn Floor Covering has been revised to D6719-10

New ASTM Work Items

WK30076 - Standard Test Methods for Degree of Filament Yarn Entanglement by Needle Insertion Methods is a work item revision to existing standard D4724-09

Third Party Testing for Certain Children's Products; Clothing Textiles: Requirements for Accreditation of Third Party Conformity Assessment Bodies

2010-08-21T21:39:00.001+05:30

The Consumer Product Safety Commission proposed accreditation requirements for 3rd party conformity assessment bodies for compliance with 16 CFR 1610, General Wearing Apparel Standard, in the Federal Register on August 18.

Link to Federal Registry notification click here - 75 FR 510167 dt 18th Aug 2010

Exempted from Testing

The following fabrics from actual testing:

(1) plain surface fabrics, regardless of fiber content, weighing 2.6 ounces per square yard or more; and

(2) all fabrics, both plain surface and raised-fiber surface textiles, regardless of weight, made entirely from any of the following fibers or entirely from a combination of the following fibers: acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, wool.

From when will this be enforced

This notice of requirements is effective on August 18, 2010. Further, as the publication of this notice of requirements effectively lifts the stay of enforcement with regard to testing and certifications related to 16 CFR part 1610, each manufacturer of a children’s product subject to 16 CFR part 1610 must have any such product manufactured after November 16, 2010 tested by a third party conformity assessment body accredited to do so and must issue a certificate of compliance with 16 CFR part 1610 based on that testing.

What is a Children's Wearing apparel

Section 3(a)(2) of the CPSA defines a children’s product as ‘‘a consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger.’’ Although clothing textiles are often used in non children’s wearing apparel, some clothing textiles are ‘‘designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger.’’ Clothing textiles designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger are subject to the third party testing and certification requirements in section 14(a)(2) of the CPSA

Where do you get your product tested and certified

The Commission requires baseline accreditation of each category of third party conformity assessment body to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electro technical Commission (IEC) Standard 17025:2005, ‘‘General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.’’ The accreditation must be by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International Laboratory

For a third party conformity assessment body to be accredited to test children’s products for conformity with the test methods in the regulations identified earlier in part I of this document, it must be accredited by an ILAC–MRA signatory accrediting body, and the accreditation must be registered with, and accepted by, the Commission. A listing of ILAC–MRA signatory accrediting bodies is available on the Internet at http://ilac.org/ membersbycategory.html.

How to find labs approved by CPSC

The Commission has established an electronic accreditation registration and listing system that can be accessed via its Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/ ABOUT/Cpsia/labaccred.html.

ASTM International Announces Conference on Textiles to Be Held in Mumbai, India in January 2011

2010-08-18T21:42:00.001+05:30

ASTM International, together with Atlas Material Testing Solutions and DyStar, will hold a one-day conference on

Textiles - Light and Weather Fastness,

on Jan. 21, 2011,

in Mumbai, India.

The conference's topics of light and weather fastness were chosen because the need for technical and high performance textiles has been growing exponentially. The events will provide a significant opportunity to learn about various aspects of these cutting edge issues as well as enable a unique information exchange.

Conference speakers include:

Dr. Andreas Giehl, DyStar Germany
Dr. Martin Bide, University of Rhode Island
Professor Josep Valldeperas, INTEXTER Spain
Mr. Adrian Meili, TESTEX AG Switzerland
Dr. Peter Hauser, North Carolina State University;
Dr. Wolfgang Schiller, Germany Fastness Committee DEK
Two invited DyStar speakers for light fastness chemistry and automotive aspects.

For more information, contact :

Mr. Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan, - ASTM International India Textile Instructor and Technical and Services Consultant, Madras, India

phone: +011-91-44-2615-1791 ; textile1@astm.org .

ASTM Contact: Mr. Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan / Ms. Sumathy Phone: +011-91-44-2615-1791;

textile1@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

New ASTM Textiles Standard Provides Comprehensive Guide to Fibers

2010-08-18T05:00:00.001+05:30

Source www.astm.org

After completing an update of ASTM D123, Terminology Relating to Textiles, members of ASTM Subcommittee D13.92 on Terminology decided that the information contained in the annexes was sufficiently important to merit being in a separate standard.

The new standard, ASTM D7641, Guide for Textile Fibers, has now been published, and it provides a comprehensive guide to a large variety of fibers used to manufacture many textile products.Subcommittee D13.92 on Terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM International Committee D13 on Textiles.

ASTM D7641 is intended to be a useful resource for designers, buyers, test laboratories, educators, students and regulators,” says Vincent Diaz, Atlantic Thread and Supply Co., and a D13 member. Diaz notes the following information is typical of what can be found in

ASTM D7641:
- Bear grass is a hard leaf fiber grown in the southwest United States and Mexico.
- Pineapple fiber is a fine leaf fiber grown in the Philippines.
- Fox hair can be used to make soft brushes.
- PLA is a manufactured fiber that is derived from naturally occurring sugars.

“This new standard is a valuable reference that can help readers improve their understanding about the relationship between commercial names, fiber identification and the geographical regions of fiber origins,” says Diaz.

To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact

ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585; service@astm.org).

ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

In India contact ASTM Technical and Services consultant’s office textile1@astm.org , tel +91 44 2615 1971, Fax +91 44 2615 1792

ASTM Committee D13 Next Meeting: Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2011, January Committee Week, Baltimore, Md.
Technical Contact: Vincent Diaz, Atlantic Thread and Supply Co., Baltimore, Md., Phone: 410-687-9424;vince@atlanticthread.com
ASTM Staff Contact: Jennifer Rodgers, Phone: 610-832-9694; jrodgers@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

ASTM Standards Update 17th Aug 2010

2010-08-17T05:05:00.001+05:30

New Approved ASTM Standards

D3181 - Standard Guide for Conducting Wear Tests on Textiles has been revised to D3181-10

D3511/D3511M - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Brush Pilling Tester has been revised (with designation change) to D3511/D3511M-10

D3512/D3512M - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Random Tumble Pilling Tester has been revised (with designation change) to D3512/D3512M-10

D4151 - Standard Test Method for Flammability of Blankets has been reinstated as D4151-10

D6588/D6588M - Standard Test Method for Fatigue of Tire Cords (Disc Fatigue Test) has been revised to D6588/D6588M-10a

D7076 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Shives in Retted Flax has been revised to D7076-10

New ASTM Work Items

WK29877 - Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength of Yarn in Skein Form is a work item revision to existing standard D1578-93(2006)e1

WK29899 - Standard Practice for Stitches and Seams is a work item revision to existing standard D6193-09

ASTM Textile Standards News

2010-07-27T03:15:00.001+05:30

Source ASTM International. Published 27th June 2010

New Approved ASTM Standards

D1059 - Standard Test Method for Yarn Number Based on Short-Length Specimens (Withdrawn 2010) has been withdrawn, with no replacement. D1059-01

D5586/D5586M - Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Women Aged 55 and Older (All Figure Types) (Withdrawn 2010) has been reinstated (with new designation). The new designation is D5586/D5586M-10

D7508/D7508M - Standard Specification for Polyolefin Chopped Strands for Use in Concrete is a new standard, now available. D7508/D7508M-10

D7641 - Standard Guide for Textile Fibers is a new standard, now available. D7641-10

Free Webinar: The Retail Apparel Market in Brazil; Trends and Opportunities

2010-07-24T06:14:00.001+05:30

Source NTC.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 10:00am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), 7:00am Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), along with the Textile, Apparel and Sports Team, will host a webinar on export market opportunities in selected markets in Brazil for apparel firms. The focus will be on small and medium sized companies in the retail apparel industry. There is no cost to participate in this webinar. Presentations will feature information and background on export opportunities, trends in exporting apparel products to Brazil, and how to begin developing market entry strategies.
There is no charge to participate in this webinar. Participants may register via the following link:
https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=0QB1

Webinar call-in & log-in information will be sent via email after registration is received. Please note that you will receive two separate emails: one confirming your registration, and one containing the access information. You may also receive a reminder email the day before the event.

Sign up today -- registration closes on Wednesday, July 28 at 8:00pm EDT/5:00pm PDT.
For more information, please contact Dave Fiscus at 801-255-1873 or Laurie Mease at 202-482-2043.

AATCC Offers Textile Testing Workshop for Hands-on Learning

2010-07-20T05:55:00.001+05:30

Madras India 20th July 2010. AATCC and ASTM Service Associate Office in India .

Serving all South and South East Asians - Real time service and support, no need to wait for a next day reply. Get the information you want now.

Are you an Individual responsible for product evaluation, specifications, and quality control for apparel and textile materials will benefit from attending the AATCC Introduction to Textile Testing Workshop.

Have you ever thought of your technicians are conducting AATCC and ASTM tests correctly
Have you given a thought why your results seldom correlate to other labs results.
Are you wrong or the other lab ?
The first step is to identify where the bias lies is to give proper training to your personnel

AATCC conducts special workshops to train you or your personnel, these trainings are available is several countries.

ASTM also conducts certain programs in India.

Workshop instructors will discuss and demonstrate AATCC and ASTM procedures for evaluating textiles. Basic color theory and measurement, as well as fiber identification, will be covered as well. Participants will learn to use the AATCC Gray Scales for Staining and Color Change, the AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale, and Xenon Reference Fabric.

Colorfastness tests to be discussed include : crocking, light, washing, and perspiration.

Tests for evaluating physical properties include dimensional change (home laundering and accelerated methods), water repellency and resistance, and appearance retention. ASTM test methods, D 1424 Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum Type; D 3512 Random Tumble Pilling Tester Method; and D 4966 Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics will also be demonstrated and discussed. The workshop will place emphasis on how to properly conduct and interpret the tests.

Past attendees especially liked the inclusion of both AATCC and ASTM test methods in this program. Many mentioned that the "hands-on experience with actual equipment, detailed explanations, and ability to practice what we'd just learned in small groups" was "especially helpful in understanding the test methods and their applications." Limited class size ensures that the workshop remains "well-organized, friendly and informal, with many opportunities to ask detailed questions."

Specially tailor made programs at special prices.

Programs Tailor made with methods from AATCC and ASTM at your site .
Just for your staff with intense hands on sessions
If you are corporate member take a discount. If you are not , get a corporate membership and approach for a tailor made program.
Pay for 2 ASTM memberships US$ 75 each
Pay for AATCC Silver membership US$ 660
Get the AATCC manual and ASTM BOS 7.01 and 7.02 free , all 3 books cost over US$ 650.00
Your membership fee is going to be just US$ 810.00,.
Training charges will depend on content and number of days needed to cover the content.
Certificates from AATCC and ASTM.

several conditions apply
may not be available in all countries.

AATCC Proficiency Program( ILPT) for Antibacterial testing

2010-07-18T14:13:00.001+05:30

AATCC introduces a brand new proficiency ( ILPT) program for basic antibacterial assessments.

This program covers AATCC methods 100 and 147 .

On a global scale this is the first of its kind being offered for the textile industry.

As antimicrobial treatments have become a very commonly used textile finish and labs conduct this method and report pass and fail , participation in this program will give the lab and its customers statistical data as to how well the lab is able to conduct AATCC TM 100 and 147 correctly , what is the global average and where the lab stands.

AATCC proficiency program results give both captive labs or 3rd party labs the required confidence that their results are correct.

Customers of producers of textile products or 3rd party labs can also ask for AATCC proficiency test data to check a labs proficiency level.

AATCC has several other proficiency programs covering several AATCC test methods. All methods have facility to fill the data online via the internet.

Don’t guess how good or bad a lab is insist on AATCC proficiency program data to know how good their results compare to other labs.

The opinions expressed in this blog are mine . AATCC is not responsible for this blog.

AATCC Training-India

2010-07-17T06:20:00.001+05:30

ASTM International & AATCC l Training Program
August 27-28
Niti Kumar

Niti Kumar , SGS India Pvt Limited, 250,Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, Gurgaon - 122015, Haryana, India; telephone + 91 124 60600747 (Ext 6104); fax +91 1242399764.

For information on upcoming courses, contact Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan, AATCC and ASTM Accredited Trainer and Service Associate, AATCC Membership Services Associates, New # 6, North Main Road, Annanagar West, Madras 600101, India; telephone +91 44 2615 1791; cellphone +91 938 502 2238; fax +91 44 2615 1792; e-mail assist@aatcc.org orassist2@aatcc.org.

AATCC - Upcoming Educational Programs

2010-07-17T06:12:00.001+05:30

September 12-14, 2010

Advances in Multi-Functional Materials Symposium and the NTC Forum

Hyatt Regency - Greenville, South Carolina

AATCC Materials Interest Group will conduct a symposium September 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, S.C. The focus of the program will be recent developments in multi-functional materials with sessions concentrating on nanotechnologies, medical, protection, and performance wear. The National Textile Center (NTC) Forum will be held in conjunction with the program. The NTC Forum will include a poster session and student paper competition.

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE! Individuals registering on or before August 27 pay US$749 (US$499 for individual and corporate AATCC members) and will include luncheons, breaks and a copy of all available papers. After August 27 the registration fee increases to US$549 for AATCC members and US$799 for nonmembers. The registration fee for NTC poster presenters is US$425. The AATCC student registration fee is US$175. (A ½ price registration fee is available to attendees living within a 30 mile radius of the conference site. Attendees taking advantage of this option will not receive tickets to the luncheons or reception beverage tickets. This option is available to members, nonmembers and poster presenters. This option is NOT available for student attendees.) For more information...

Additional AATCC Upcoming Events...

October 20-21, 2010

Color Management Workshop

AATCC Technical Center - Research Triangle Park, NC

December 8-9, 2010

Introduction to Textile Testing Workshop

AATCC Technical Center - Research Triangle Park, NC

For additional information please contact Kim Nicholson, AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709-2215; telephone +1 919 549 3535; fax +1 919 549 8933; or email nicholk@aatcc.org.

Visit www.aatcc.org for program updates or to register online

AATCC Review Wins 2010 Tabbie Award!

2010-07-16T06:03:00.002+05:30

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., USA, Thursday, July 15, 2010 - AATCC Review, the journal of the AATCC,
has won an award for one of Managing Editor Maria Thiry's feature articles.

The Trade, Association and Business Publications International (TABPI) awards for publication excellence are called “Tabbies.” AATCC was honored with a Tabbie in the Feature Article category for an in-depth feature article on recycled textile fibers. "Everything Old is New Again" was published in the March 2009 issue of AATCC Review. The Tabbie awards committee considered almost 500 editorial and design entries from around the globe. Other winners in the same category included Chemist + Druggist, Computerworld, Automotive News, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology's Engineering & Technology.
This was AATCC Review's first Tabbie, but not the first time it has garnered an award. Since publication of AATCC Review began in 2001, the journal has received 12 awards for excellence.
Thiry earned six of those awards for her feature articles on textiles and the textile industry.

Maria Thiry with the Issue of AATCC that carried the winning article “ Everthing Old is New again”

ASTM International - Directory of Consultants and Expert Witnesses

2010-07-11T06:51:00.000+05:30

ASTM International - Directory of Consultants and Expert Witnesses

E&T Textile Resources
358, North Main Road Annanagar West
Madras, TN 600101
India

Tel: 914 426 1517 91
Fax: 914 426 1517 92
+91 917 692 2272
et@grmg.org
http://textilesciences.blogspot.com/

Description: E and T Textile Resources E is for Epistêmê and T is for Technê The two words Epistêmê and Technê have an ancient Greek origin, we have chosen these ancient words as our title, as we want the title to reflect our belief and philosophy which is based on the traditionally appreciated principles of truth, honesty ,sincerity and hard work. The name also reflects the activities of this business which is to provide technical services based on our knowledge and practical experience to the Textile Industry. The services we provide will be a product of the synergetic combination of Epistêmê and Technê or in common language – Sound theoretical knowledge combined with many years of practical experience.

Primary Services: Nonmetallic Materials:Textiles

Consulting Services:

Quality Control/Assurance > Testing > Wet Processing > Cost control > Increase in productivity with no additional capex.

Nonmetallic Materials > Soaps/Detergents

Color and Appearance >One of the real experts in the world > Practical

Quality Control/Assurance > Total Quality Management (TQM)

Standards/Standardization >Highly experinced

Protective Clothing >Few people in India can even thin of coming close to the knowledge we have

Nonmetallic Materials > Leather/Leather Products > Only testing

Nonmetallic Materials > Textiles

Technical Aid > Training

Geographic Service Areas: 988

Expertise: Textile

Education: Doctoral Studies

Professional Affiliations/Accreditations: AATCC, ASTM International, SDC

Major Projects: AATCC, ASTM International, Banswara Textile Mills, Pratibha Syntex, SP Apparels, Nike India,Alok Industries, Balai Besar Textil, Isreali Standards Organization, TUV SUD, SGS India, Intertek India, and several others all over Larger Asia and Africa.

ASTM International and BTRA to conduct a Training program on US State and Federal Flammability Regulations

2010-07-05T05:15:00.000+05:30

Regulatory Compliance for Flammability of Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses, and Bedding Sold in the United States

New program Available only in USA and India

ASTM International and BTRA ( Bombay India) are discussing brining a brand new training program on US State and Federal Regulations on Flammability of Textile.

The program is tentatively scheduled for Sept 2010.

The program will cover

History of the Regulations
Recent Activity and Changes to Regulations
Enforcement Overview
Terminology, Acronyms and Definitions
Basic Pertinent Fire Science Principals
Upholstered Furniture Test Standards:
California Technical Bulletin 116
California Technical Bulletin 117
California Technical Bulletin 117 (Proposed Revision)
California Technical Bulletin 133
CPSC—Proposed Federal Upholstered Furniture Flammability Standard
Upholstered Furniture Action Council (U.F.A.C.) Standards
Boston Fire Code B.F.D. IX-10
Mattress/Box Spring Test Standards:
CPSC—16 C.F.R. 1632 (Calif. Tech. Bulletin 106)
CPSC—16 C.F.R. 1633 (Calif. Tech. Bulletin 603)
California Technical Bulletin 121
California Technical Bulletin 129
Boston Fire Code B.F.D. IX-11
Bedding/Bedclothing Test Standards
California Technical Bulletin 604 (Pending Regulation)
CPSC—ANPR. 16 C.F.R. 1634—Proposed Federal Standard
Other Standards (cigarette ignition propensity, barrier performance,cotton smoldering, etc.)
Voluntary Test Standards (ASTM, ANSI, UL, NFPA)
Product and Component Labeling
Recordkeeping Requirements
Enforcement/Liability Issues
Manufacturing Best Practices/Quality Control

Please contact textile1@astm.org for more information

ASTM International - ASTM International Campus

2010-07-05T04:21:00.000+05:30

ASTM International - ASTM International Campus

Improving Fiber ID— AATCC Releases Textile Fiber Supplement

2010-06-30T05:14:00.000+05:30

News Release

www.aatcc.org

Contact: Christopher S. Leonard, Technical Director

Tel +1 919 549 3532; Fax +1 919 549 8933

Email: leonardc@aatcc.org

Improving Fiber ID— AATCC Releases Textile Fiber Supplement

A must for any lab involved in Textile fiber identification

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., USA, Tuesday, June 29, 2010—AATCC releases the Textile Fiber Supplement for complete fiber identification and analysis.

Every day, textile technologists, crime labs, and customs agents are faced with identifying fibers from a variety of sources. With more than 30 generic classes of fibers and thousands of trade names, positive and definitive identification can be daunting.

AATCC's Textile Fiber Supplement provides new tools and reference data for fiber identification.

The Supplement is a companion document to AATCC Test Methods 20 (Fiber Identification: Qualitative) and 20A (Fiber Identification: Quantitative). These methods are recognized around the world and are particularly valued for their longitudinal and cross-sectional reference images of more than 60 fiber types.

The supplement adds color, polarized, first-order red plate micrographs; Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) curves; and other resources to aid in identifying both common and novelty fibers.

Information on refractory fibers such as meta-aramids, para-aramids, PBI, and melamine is included. The Supplement also provides guidance for analyzing the structure of metallic fibers.

Fiber sources for the reference material in the Fiber Identification Supplement include standardized and readily-available multifiber fabrics. This means labs can easily check their results against the Supplement data, using the same fibers.

Based on data from the ongoing AATCC Fiber Identification and Analysis Proficiency Program (www.aatcc.org/programs/prof), the Supplement provides a table of interlab variations for quantitative analysis of various fiber blends. This table helps lab personnel understand how much variation may be expected for analysis of a particular blend. Blends with particularly high variability may necessitate additional testing for verification.

ABOUT AATCC: AATCC is the world’s leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA, provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for members in about 60 countries throughout the world.

If you want to buy the book and dont know how to, contact assist@aatcc.org we will give you proper instructions.

# # #

Caption: First order red plate polarized light image of cotton fiber (maximum addition).

Caption: Fiber Identification Stain 1 applied to 13-fiber multifiber fabric.

If you do not wish to receive information regarding AATCC activities, please send a message including your email address to assist@aatcc.org

My library

2010-06-26T11:04:00.000+05:30

A list of books I am currently reading

My library

Textile preparation and dyeing - Google Books

2010-06-26T10:40:00.000+05:30

Textile preparation and dyeing - Google Books

A pretty decent book for those who need some basic information on Dye Chemistry

Cranston is back in Business

2010-06-11T06:38:00.001+05:30

News Source – NTA dt 10th June 2010

Cranstan Print works which had annoubced clisure sometime back has announced that it is back in business with Frederic L. Rockefeller, Jr. asthe responsibilities of President and CEO

Cranston Print Works Company, with its Corporate Offices located in Cranston, RI, serves the textile, specialty chemical and transportation industries through its three distinct operating divisions.

The Cranston Textile division serves independent fabric shops through its premium brand name, Quilting Treasures and the home sewing market (craft, quilting, home dec, apparel) and the textile manufacturing markets through its popular brand, V.I.P. The Textile division has sales and design operations in New York City, and sales, marketing, distribution, supply chain and customer service operations Webster, MA. The Bercen, Inc. division with its Corporate Office, manufacturing plant, and product development and research facility in Denham Springs, LA, is a manufacturer of specialty chemicals marketed to the paper, nonwoven, and textile industries. The Cranston Trucking Company division provides trucking, brokerage, and air freight services through hubs in Rhode Island and North and South Carolina.

Good to know that Textile companies are getting back to business in USA.

CPSC News- Federal e-Rule making Portal: http://www.regulations.gov

2010-05-26T06:44:00.003+05:30

Regulations.gov is your online source for U.S. government regulations from nearly 300 federal agencies.

On this site you can:

Search for a regulation such as a proposed rule, final rule or Federal Register (FR) notice
Submit a comment on a regulation or on another comment
Submit an application, petition or adjudication document
Sign up for e-mail alerts about a specific regulation
Quickly access regulations that are popular, newly posted or closing soon-directly from the homepage
Subscribe to RSS feeds by agency of newly posted FR notices

RSS Feeds link http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#rss

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Kelsey James, Director, Information Technology Policy and Planning, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) 504-7213; mjames@cpsc.gov.

ASTM International - Global Cooperation and ASTM International

2010-05-16T07:18:00.000+05:30

ASTM International - Global Cooperation and ASTM International

Local India Textile Instructor and Technical and Service Consultant:
Mr. Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan
New # 6, North Main Road
Annanagar West, Madras
600 101, India
Phone: +91-44-2615-1791
Fax: +91-44-2615-1792
Mobile: +91-988-484-0404
E-mail: textile1@astm.org

ASTM International - Global Cooperation and ASTM International

2010-05-16T07:16:00.000+05:30

ASTM International - Global Cooperation and ASTM International

Every Action Has an equal and Opposite ( not opposing) Reaction Professor Martin Bide is Awarded the Chapin Award by AATCC

2010-05-07T04:50:00.001+05:30

AATCC HONORS MARTIN J. BIDE WITH CHAPIN AWARD – A deserving Individual gets a deserving honor.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., USA, Friday, April 30, 2010—AATCC will honor University of Rhode Island professor Martin John Bide as the 2009 recipient of The Harold C. Chapin Award in recognition for his outstanding service to the Association. Bide will receive the Chapin Scroll at an Awards Luncheon on May 19, during the Association's 2010 International Conference at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, Ga., USA.

A member of AATCC since 1982, Martin Bide served with honor and distinction
in the technical, publications, and administrative functions of the Association.
Bide served as President of the Association from 2007 through 2008. He serves
on the Association’s Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Directors,
and chairs the Appropriations Committee. He is currently on the Subcommittee
on Employee Benefits, Subcommittee on Building and Grounds, Executive
Committee on Research, and the Technical Committee on Research. He was active for many years on various research and administrative committees, including serving as chair of the Harold C. Chapin and Olney Medal Award Committees and of the Publications Committee.

Bide is also active with AATCC on local and regional levels. He served as chair, vice chair, and national councilor of the Rhode Island Section from 1989 to 1997, prior to the merger of the Rhode Island and Northern New England Sections. He then served as vice president of the New England Region from 2001 to 2003.
The Chapin Award was established in 1958 in honor of Harold C. Chapin, professor of chemistry at Lowell Textile School, who served as national secretary of AATCC for nearly 25 years. Chapin was a contemporary of Louis Atwell Olney, founder and first president of AATCC. AATCC’s 2010 International Conference will be co-located with ATME-I MEGATEX 2010, which will run concurrently with Techtextil North America and
SPESA Expo as part of the Textile and Sewn Products Industry Week May 18-20
at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta. AATCC’s conference theme is “Innovation and Sustainability Bring New Life to Textiles.”

News Source : AATCC News Release.

ASTM Fire Standards for Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses, and Bedding

2010-05-05T05:30:00.001+05:30

Pages: 200 Published: 2010

Soft Cover Price: US$99

Get the latest information on mandatory and voluntary fire testing, as well as flammability performance and quality control test standards, for textiles such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, and bedding.

Includes:
• 20 key ASTM fire testing standards
• 2 Federal Regulations (16 CFR 1632 and 16 CFR 1633)
• 8 California Technical Bulletins

This book is an excellent companion to participants of the ASTM training course on Regulatory Compliance for the Flammability of Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses, and Bedding.

ASTM Fire Standards for Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses, and Bedding
ISBN:
ISBN13: 978-0-8031-8412-1
STOCK# FLAME10

ASTM Fire Standards for Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses, and Bedding

2010-05-05T05:27:00.001+05:30

New publication from ASTM, to clarify all your doubts on US Federal and state egualtion on Fire safety standards.

Click: http://www.astm.org/FLAME10.htm

The Romance of India Summers and passionate Thunder Storms :

2010-05-01T08:55:00.001+05:30

An of topic rendering – a tribute to Mama Nature

Well Summer is blazing here. Down in the South its already 38 , in the North it crossed 40 , and 44 in some parts. All of us wait and wait , the sun goes on heating the land, we get more hot 40 , 42 in the South and then suddenly one day , there are Grey Clouds over the western sky , at first it looks like it will just be there far away.......suddenly , there is a gust of wind , that drops the temp from 42 to 22.

20 degs drop ! everything feels fresh, the smell of ozone fills the air, you see a flash of lightning and the sound of thunder follows 3 to 4 minutes later, but the next lightning and thunder are closer , and closer , its like a boy and girl meeting for the 1st time and moving closer and closer to each other, till they are embraced in each other ,the lightning and thunder go of at the same time, a peak , a moment in time you forget all and are only engrossed in feeling the heights of happiness and pleasure.

Then the clouds that got so pregnant with rain delivers, its not just a drop or 2, it starts like large drops, but another lightning and thunder and the rain starts.

No sound but the sound of rain, nothing moves but the wind, the clouds fighting with each other to deliver their cargoes. When it stops after an hour or two , the birds start moving, the frogs start making their calls , listed carefully and you can hear the mushrooms sprouting.

The sounds all start again, the hustle and bustle is there but tired, like a spent man and woman. Happy and contended.

The Rain has done it, brought back life and India changes .

This cycle is so important to India , that if this does not happen, this land mass would have been the Great Indian Dessert.

Bedclothes Flammability Update

2010-04-30T09:50:00.001+05:30

Posted: 29 Apr 2010 06:05 AM PDT Source NTA

Hardy Poole, Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Affairs, National Textile Association (NTA) reports that the California Bureau of Home Furnishings (CBHF) has suspended efforts to begin a formal rulemaking to regulate the flammability of filled bedclothes like comforters, pillows and mattress pads. The Bureau had been working to develop a proposed rule for several years but work on the proposal slowed and, apparently, stopped in recent months.

The Notice of Suspension is available at: http://www.bhfti.ca.gov/industry/tb604.pdf.

On the federal level Hardy reports that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for open flame ignition of bedclothes on January 13, 2005 and sought comments from the public. NTA responded but, since that time, CPSC has not considered the matter as a high priority. With the CBHF's suspension of the rulemaking, the CPSC program is the only regulatory effort underway to address the flammability of bedclothes.

Supply Chain Insights: Shades of the Green Consumer

2010-04-29T04:50:00.001+05:30

Supply Chain Insights: Shades of the Green Consumer

A cotton Inc article. Must read.

With acknowledgements to Cotton Inc. USA.

The Colourist SDC's Magazine Jan 2010 Issue

2010-04-22T13:47:00.001+05:30

The Colourist

New ASTM Work Items

2010-04-13T07:27:00.001+05:30

New ASTM Work Items – Mon 12th April 2010 – ASTM HQ

WK28310 - Standard Test Method for Flammability of Blankets (Withdrawn 2010) is a work item for the reinstatement of the withdrawn standard D4151-92(2001)

WK28330 - Standard Test Method for Snagging Resistance of Fabrics (Mace) is a work item revision to existing standard D3939-09

WK28332 - Standard Terminology Relating to Pile Floor Coverings is a work item revision to existing standard D5684-08a

WK28347 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Textiles Prior to Ultraviolet (UV) Transmission Testing is a work item revision to existing standard D6544-00(2007)

WK28358 - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Brush Pilling Tester is a work item revision to existing standard D3511-08

WK28359 - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Random Tumble Pilling Tester is a work item revision to existing standard D3512-07

WK28360 - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Elastomeric Pad is a work item revision to existing standard D3514-09

WK28361 - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester is a work item revision to existing standard D4970-07

WK28381 - Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Elastomeric Pad is a work item revision to existing standard D3514-09

WK28382 - Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Martindale Abrasion Tester Method) is a work item revision to existing standard D4966-98(2007)e1

WK28389 - Standard Test Method for Determining Specific Packability of Fabrics Used in Inflatable Restraints is a work item revision to existing standard D6478-09

WK28390 - Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Oscillatory Cylinder Method) is a work item revision to existing standard D4157-07

WK28391 - Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Oscillatory Cylinder Method) is a work item revision to existing standard D4157-07

WK28404 - Standard Guide for Conducting Wear Tests on Textiles is a work item revision to existing standard D3181-95(2008)

WK28406 - Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum Type (Elmendorf) Apparatus is a work item revision to existing standard D1424-09

Foria International Recalls Women's Peacoats Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

2010-04-08T07:04:00.001+05:30

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Women's Peacoats

Units: About 800

Importer: Foria International Inc., of City of Industry, Calif.

Hazard: The peacoats fail to meet the federal flammability standard for wearing apparel and pose a risk of burn injury.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves women's peacoats that are double-breasted and have long sleeves. They are made from 100 percent cotton fleece in large blue and white plaid print. "Authentic" is printed on the label at the center back neckline of the garments.

Sold at: Bass Pro Shops nationwide from October 2009 through January 2010 for about $60.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled coats immediately and return them to Foria International for a full refund of retail price including shipping. Foria International address is 18689 Arenth Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91748.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Foria International toll free at (888) 999-6568 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.foria.com (PDF)

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10192.html

AATCC—Materials Discussion Group Group News | LinkedIn

2010-04-07T06:12:00.000+05:30

AATCC—Materials Discussion Group Group News | LinkedIn

Researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have unveiled a new class of reverse-osmosis membranes for desalination that resist the clogging which typically occurs when seawater, brackish water and waste water are purified.

The highly permeable, surface-structured membrane can easily be incorporated into today's commercial production system, the researchers say, and could help to significantly reduce desalination operating costs. Their findings appear in the current issue of the Journal of Materials Chemistry.

Reverse-osmosis (RO) desalination uses high pressure to force polluted water through the pores of a membrane. While water molecules pass through the pores, mineral salt ions, bacteria and other impurities cannot. Over time, these particles build up on the membrane's surface, leading to clogging and membrane damage. This scaling and fouling places higher energy demands on the pumping system and necessitates costly cleanup and membrane replacement.

The new UCLA membrane's novel surface topography and chemistry allow it to avoid such drawbacks.

"Besides possessing high water permeability, the new membrane also shows high rejection characteristics and long-term stability," said Nancy H. Lin, a UCLA Engineering senior researcher and the study's lead author. "Structuring the membrane surface does not require a long reaction time, high reaction temperature or the use of a vacuum chamber. The anti-scaling property, which can increase membrane life and decrease operational costs, is superior to existing commercial membranes."

The new membrane was synthesized through a three-step process. First, researchers synthesized a polyamide thin-film composite membrane using conventional interfacial polymerization. Next, they activated the polyamide surface with atmospheric pressure plasma to create active sites on the surface. Finally, these active sites were used to initiate a graft polymerization reaction with a monomer solution to create a polymer "brush layer" on the polyamide surface. This graft polymerization is carried out for a specific period of time at a specific temperature in order to control the brush layer thickness and topography.

"In the early years, surface plasma treatment could only be accomplished in a vacuum chamber," said Yoram Cohen, UCLA professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and a corresponding author of the study. "It wasn't practical for large-scale commercialization because thousands of meters of membranes could not be synthesized in a vacuum chamber. It's too costly. But now, with the advent of atmospheric pressure plasma, we don't even need to initiate the reaction chemically. It's as simple as brushing the surface with plasma, and it can be done for almost any surface."

In this new membrane, the polymer chains of the tethered brush layer are in constant motion. The chains are chemically anchored to the surface and are thus more thermally stable, relative to physically coated polymer films. Water flow also adds to the brush layer's movement, making it extremely difficult for bacteria and other colloidal matter to anchor to the surface of the membrane.

"If you've ever snorkeled, you'll know that sea kelp move back and forth with the current or water flow," Cohen said. "So imagine that you have this varied structure with continuous movement. Protein or bacteria need to be able to anchor to multiple spots on the membrane to attach themselves to the surface — a task which is extremely difficult to attain due to the constant motion of the brush layer. The polymer chains protect and screen the membrane surface underneath."

Another factor in preventing adhesion is the surface charge of the membrane. Cohen's team is able to choose the chemistry of the brush layer to impart the desired surface charge, enabling the membrane to repel molecules of an opposite charge.

The team's next step is to expand the membrane synthesis into a much larger, continuous process and to optimize the new membrane's performance for different water sources.

"We want to be able to narrow down and create a membrane selection system for different water sources that have different fouling tendencies," Lin said. "With such knowledge, one can optimize the membrane surface properties with different polymer brush layers to delay or prevent the onset of membrane fouling and scaling.

"The cost of desalination will therefore decrease when we reduce the cost of chemicals [used for membrane cleaning], as well as process operation [for membrane replacement]. Desalination can become more economical and used as a viable alternate water resource."

Cohen's team, in collaboration with the UCLA Water Technology Research (WaTeR) Center, is currently carrying out specific studies to test the performance of the new membrane's fouling properties under field conditions.

"We work directly with industry and water agencies on everything that we're doing here in water technology," Cohen said. "The reason for this is simple: If we are to accelerate the transfer of knowledge technology from the university to the real world, where those solutions are needed, we have to make sure we address the real issues. This also provides our students with a tremendous opportunity to work with industry, government and local agencies."

A paper providing a preliminary introduction to the new membrane also appeared in the Journal of Membrane Science last month.

Provided by University of California Los Angeles (news : web)

News on Recalls of Dangerous Wearing Apparel

2010-03-13T22:05:00.001+05:30

Source NTA News Letter dated 11th March

Posted: 11 Mar 2010 08:56 AM PST

On March 10, 2010 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced recalls of the following dangerous products

· 600 Girls’ Cargo Pocket Jackets manufactured in P.R. China.

· 3,600 Girl’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings manufactured in Hong Kong.

· 2,800 Boys’ Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings manufactured in P.R. China and Peru.

· 98,500 Scarves with Microwaveable Heat Packs manufactured in P.R. China.

Restricted Substances List AAFA , 6th List

2010-03-13T21:53:00.001+05:30

Source NTA – USA news release dated 13th March 2010

Posted: 12 Mar 2010 10:17 AM PST

Arlington, Va., March 12, 20010 -

As part of its 2010 Annual Executive Summit, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) today published the sixth edition of the AAFA Restricted Substances List (RSL), covering apparel, footwear, and home textiles. The list, which has become the global industry standard for RSLs, together with a growing set of other chemical management tools, can be downloaded for free at the AAFA Web site.
The full AAFA RSL can be accessed on the AAFA Web site by clicking here.

Vat Dyeing

2010-03-13T08:30:00.002+05:30

Zanav Pictures

A chance to See Cotton Inc. Recent Webcast in Sustainable Textile Production

2010-03-05T11:33:00.001+05:30

To view a recording of this webcast please click

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=191182&sessionid=1&key=4A0CCFDF9B187A29E562B23B2DD8ACB5&sourcepage=register&partnerref=email2/

Register by filling the form and you will be directed to another page , scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on the button Launch presentation.

You can not only see the recording of the webcast you can also download resources several resources.

Free AATCC Membership for LinkedIn Members

2010-03-04T08:11:00.001+05:30

You are receiving this offer as a member of the AATCC Group on LinkedIn. We hope you have found the group networking and resources valuable and are sure you will find membership even more valuable.

If you are NOT already an AATCC member, you can get a free, three-month trial membership including:

AATCC Review journal
Digital journal
Searchable article archive
Membership database
Publication discount
Program discount
AATCC News newsletter
Access to “Ask AATCC” technical listserv
Section meetings
Buyer’s Guide
CareerSite

Visit www.aatcc.org/offer /LinkedIn.cfm , complete the form, and click “submit.” You’ll get an email with your temporary login and password to access AATCC’s online services. At the end of your three free months, we hope you’ll join us for a full year of AATCC membership!

Questions ? Contact us

-------------------------------------------------------------------

AATCC Membership Services Associates
New # 6, North Main Road, Annanagar West
Madras 600101, India
Tel :+91 44 2615 1791 , Cell :+91 938 502 2238
Fax :+91 44 2615 1792

Email assist@aatcc.org ; assist2@aatcc.org

About Cotton Sustainability

2010-02-23T07:47:00.001+05:30

Source http://cottontoday.cottoninc.com/sustainability-about/Sustainability-Overview/

The above link has some interesting information on Cotton Sustainability.please do visit the web page and check out the information give.

You can also watch streaming videos of previous web casts.

U.S. Textile and Apparel Import Stats for 2009 Show Declines in Volume and Dollar Amount

2010-02-14T08:00:00.001+05:30

Source : National Textile Association – Post by David Trumbull on 2/11/2010 04:38:00 PM

Data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce show

Total U.S. imports of textile and apparel products in 2009 were equal to 46.6 billion meters, down 7.5 percent from 2008. Shipments were valued at $81 billion, down 13 percent from 2008.

Apparel shipments in 2009 totaled 21.3 billion - square meter equivalents (sme), down 6 percent from 2008. Apparel shipments were valued at $63.1 billion, down 11.8 percent from 2008.
Yarn shipments in 2009 totaled 2.4 billion sme, down 18.4 percent from 2008. Yarn shipments were valued at $1.1 billion, down 18 percent from 2008.
Fabric shipments in 2009 totaled 7.4 billion sme, down 5.4 percent from 2008. Fabric shipments were valued at $3.9 billion, down 24.1 percent from 2008.
Shipments of "made ups" (linens, curtains, and such) totaled 15.5 billon sme, down 8.5 percent from 2008. Shipments of made ups were valued at $12.9 billion, down 14.8 percent from 2008.

Join Cotton Incorporated for a free webcast on leading edge cotton dyeing technologies and how they can help reduce your environmental impact.

2010-02-11T08:25:00.001+05:30

Learn how sustainable technologies for dyeing cotton can improve your competitive advantage while reducing your water, energy, and chemical needs.
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Learn More about Bamboo

2010-02-06T07:32:00.001+05:30

Are you still confused about US fiber regulations on Bamboo, please click on the below link and learn more. Do not be misled and find yourself in a difficult situation

http://www.ftc.gov/bamboo

National Textile Association: FTC Warns 78 Retailers, Including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart, to Stop Labeling and Advertising Rayon Textile Products as "Bamboo"

2010-02-06T07:27:00.000+05:30

Source National Textile Association:
FTC Warns 78 Retailers, Including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart, to Stop Labeling and Advertising Rayon Textile Products as "Bamboo"

Seventy-eight companies nationwide have received Federal Trade Commission letters warning that they may be breaking the law by selling clothing and other textile products that are labeled and advertised as “bamboo,” but actually are made of manufactured rayon fiber. The letters, which the agency’s staff sent last week, make the retailers aware of the FTC’s concerns about possible mislabeling of rayon products as “bamboo,” so the companies can take corrective steps to avoid Commission action.

“We need to make sure companies use proper labeling and advertising in their efforts to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers,” said David C. Vladeck, Director of the agency’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Rayon is rayon, even if bamboo has been used somewhere along the line in the manufacturing process.”

The FTC sued several companies last year for allegedly selling products labeled or advertised as “bamboo” that in reality were made of rayon. Rayon is a man-made fiber created from the cellulose found in plants and trees and processed with harsh chemicals that release hazardous air pollution. Any plant or tree – including bamboo – could be used as the cellulose source, but the fiber that is created is rayon.

“While we have seen action by some retailers to correct mislabeled clothing and textile products, our hope is that these warning letters will serve as a wake-up call to all companies, regardless of their size,” Vladeck said.

The FTC staff letter outlines the requirements for proper labeling and advertising of textile products derived from bamboo. The letter states, “Rayon, even if manufactured using cellulose from bamboo, must be described using an appropriate term recognized under the FTC’s Textile Rules. . . . Failing to properly label and advertise textiles misleads consumers and runs afoul of both the Textile Rules and the FTC Act.”

In the letter, the FTC tells the companies they should review the labeling and advertising for the textile products they are selling and remove or correct any misleading bamboo references.

Along with the warning letters, the agency sent each company a synopsis of FTC decisions finding that the failure to use proper fiber names in textile labeling and advertising was deceptive and violated the FTC Act. Under the Act, the FTC can seek civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation against any company that receives this information but fails to correct its advertising and labeling.

A complete list of the companies sent warning letters can be found on the FTC’s Web site and as a link to this press release. They include small and large retailers, with both online and brick-and-mortar stores, and firms selling textile products labeled or advertised as “bamboo” that may be made of rayon. The more commonly known retailers include:

Amazon.com, Barney’s New York, Bed Bath & Beyond, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Bloomingdale’s, Costco Wholesale, Garnet Hill, Gold Toe, Hanes, Isotoner, JC Penney, Jockey, Kmart, Kohl’s, Land’s End, Macy’s, Maidenform, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, QVC, REI, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sears, Shop NBC, Spiegel, Sports Authority, Target, The Gap, The Great Indoors, Tommy Bahama, Toys R’ Us, Wal-Mart, and Zappos.com.

DyStar is now an Indian company

2010-02-05T07:46:00.001+05:30

Source : Feb 4 2010, Press Release of Dystar / Kiri Dyes Website

DyStar’s owner, Kiri Holding Singapore Private Limited, has appointed Mr. Manish Kiri as DyStar’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mr. Manish P. Kiri
Managing Director
B.E.(Electronics & Communication)
M.B.A. Michigan University, U.S.A

About Kiri Dyes

Kiri Dyes & Chemicals Limited, was incorporated on 14th May 1998 as a Kiri Dyes and Chemicals Private Limited at Ahmedabad, Gujarat KDCL has been promoted by Mr Praveen A. Kiri and Mr. Manish P. Kiri. KDCL is engaged in the business of manufacturing of reactive dyes which are called synthetic organic dyes used for cotton fabrics like garments, dress materials, bed-sheets, carpets etc. The dyes are of basically colors like black, blue, red, orange, yellow and numerous variants of these basic colors identified by color index number internationally.
The product range of the company comprises of more than 120 dyestuffs used by textiles, leather, paint and printing-ink industries with total production capacity of 10800 MT per annum

Press Release by Dystar states

“Manish Kiri, together with the other members of the management team will ensure the stability and continuity of the company and drive it forward.”

Commented J. Mark Allan, “this partnership of DyStar and Kiri Dyes & Chemicals will produce an effective and strong global player in the Dye-Stuffs market and I wish Manish and the management team all the success in returning DyStar to the central stage where it belongs.”

Manish Kiri commented, “J Mark Allan has been very instrumental bringing and initiating positive changes in DyStar, we will continue the path of good restructuring work that he started. His advice and guidance in future would be very valuable in creating a sustainable future for DyStar and strengthening its
leadership”

Lets all hope that this new ownership will continue with DyStar’s sustainability efforts, and bring to the market true new technologies of dyeing that consumes less water, Salt and Alkali and Dyes.

For more information www.kiridyes.com / www.dystar.com

OEKO-TEX® Association this year revised and updated limit values, test criteria and by-laws for testing for harmful substances according to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.

2010-01-13T04:35:00.001+05:30

OEKO-TEX® Association this year revised and updated limit values, test criteria and by-laws for testing for harmful substances according to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.

New items included in the catalogue of criteria are, for example, testing for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as the regulation of diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and dioctyl tin (DOT).

institutes, the Oeko-Tex® Association has again revised and expanded the applicable test criteria, limits and by-laws of the product certification process as per Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 effective 1 January 2010. As of December, the Oeko-Tex® certificate contains a notice advising that the "certified articles meet the requirements of Annex XVII of the REACh regulation (including the use of prohibited azo dyes, nickel etc.), and also fulfil U.S. specifications regarding the total content of lead in children's products (CPSIA; not applicable to glass materials)".

The following new provisions will go into effect following a three-month transition period:

Synthetic fibres, yarns, plastic parts etc. will be tested for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon substances (PAH) in all four Oeko-Tex® product classes. An overall limit of 10 mg/kg applies to the 16 defined substances, and 1 mg/kg to benzo[a]pyrene.
Considering that diisobutylphtalate (DIBP) will likely be added to the list of REACh substances (substances of very high concern), this softener will also be excluded from use as part of the Oeko-Tex® certification process (in additional to already tested phthalates).
Based on its explicit mention in the EU Directive 2009/425/EC in connection with products such as printed textiles, gloves and textile floor coverings etc., the Oeko-Tex® Association has also added dioctyltin (DOT) to the list of prohibited tin-organic substances. A limit of 1.0 mg/kg applies to baby articles (product class I), as well as 2.0 mg/kg for articles of the other Oeko-Tex® product classes.
The transition provision for total lead content in metallic materials will be extended.

A complete overview of current Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 test criteria is available at www.oeko-tex.com/limitvalues. Detailed information regarding individual test parameters and the Oeko-Tex® by-laws are also available at the member institutes (www.oekotex.com/institutes) of the Oeko-Tex® Association.

Detailed information on new additions and revisions that will come into force on 1 April can be downloaded

Here : New Limits for 2010:

Down Load the Latest Version of Oekotex 100 : Here

ASTM Protective Clothing Standard Developed for Applicators of Pesticides

2010-01-10T19:36:00.000+05:30

ASTM Protective Clothing Standard Developed for Applicators of Pesticides
The ability to provide the correct amount of protection is one of the important elements in the development of protective clothing worn by individuals who apply pesticides as part of their jobs. While overprotection in hot climatic conditions can result in heat stress and low compliance, some of the existing design-based requirements can result in too little protection, as material performance plays a critical role in protective clothing.

In an attempt to find the right balance of protection, ASTM International Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment has developed a new standard. ASTM F2669, Performance Specification for Protective Clothing Worn by Operators Applying Pesticides, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F23.30 on Chemicals.

According to Anugrah Shaw, Ph.D., professor, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and chair of the task group that developed the standard, ASTM F2669 (www.astm.org/Standards/F2669.htm) takes the level of potential risk into account in making recommendations for protective clothing.

“ASTM F2669 has three levels of protection that allow for the selection of garments based on potential risk determined as part of the pesticide registration process,” says Shaw. “For example, a Level 1 cotton or polyester/cotton coverall, similar to those used routinely for operator exposure studies, is sufficient when the potential risk for the formulation is relatively low. Garments that meet more stringent requirements can be used for scenarios where higher protection is required.”

Shaw notes that the key point of the standard is that it provides a basis for the development of certified garments. ”Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) instructions on pesticide labels around the world are very inconsistent, and often very general statements are used. Part of the problem has been lack of international performance specification standards for the certification of garments. Certified garments would provide the opportunity for the crop protection industry to specify the garment level on a pesticide label. This is already being done for gloves and respirators,” says Shaw.

The crop protection industry and government agencies responsible for worker/operator protection and registration of pesticide products will be the potential users of ASTM F2669.

ASTM International standards can be purchased from Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; service@astm.org) or at www.astm.org. ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

CONTACT:

ASTM Committee F23 Next Meeting: Jan. 26-28, 2010, January committee week, San Antonio, Texas

Technical Contact: Anugrah Shaw, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Md., Phone: 410-651-6064; ashaw@umes.edu

ASTM Staff Contact: Stephen Mawn, ASTM International, Phone: 610-832-9726; smawn@astm.org

ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, ASTM International, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

ASTM Works on Standard to Specify Color

2010-01-10T19:32:00.000+05:30

ASTM Works on Standard to Specify Color
The Proposed Standard Is Based on the Scandinavian Colour Institute’s Natural Color System^®©

ASTM International Committee E12 on Color and Appearance is currently working closely with the Scandinavian Colour Institute to develop a standard based on the Institute’s Natural Color System. The proposed new standard, WK24817, Practice for Specifying Color by the Natural Color System (NCS^®©), is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E12.07 on Color Order Systems

“The Natural Color System describes colors exactly as we see them, is easy to understand, logical and simple to use,” says Ellen Carter, an independent color science consultant and the recording secretary of Committee E12. “Any of the millions of colors that exist can be defined within the NCS system and given a precise notation.”

Understanding the NCS system gives users the ability to judge the attributes of a color and to communicate and check specifications and identify colors, according to Carter. “The NCS notations describe the purely visual properties of the color and have nothing at all to do with the mixing of pigments or reflection curves,” notes Carter.

The NCS system is used internationally in such fields as architecture, corporate identity, cosmetics, education, fashion and textile forecasting and production, interior design and product design. For more information on NCS, visit www.ncscolour.com.

Interested parties are invited to join in Subcommittee E12.07’s work on WK24817 and other possible standards development work. In addition to WK24817, the subcommittee has received suggestions that it develop standards on the RAL system and the Practical Color Coordinate System. The subcommittee has developed D1535, Practice for Specifying Color by the Munsell System, and E1360, Practice for Specifying Color by Using the Optical Society of America Uniform Color Scales System.

ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

ASTM Committee E12 Next Meeting: Jan. 20-22, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Technical Contact: Ellen C. Carter, Konica Minolta, Pennsville, N.J., Phone: 856-678-6444; ellen.carter@alum.rpi.edu

ASTM Staff Contact: Thomas O’Toole, Phone: 610-832-9739; totoole@astm.org

ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Will the Care Label Regulation change

2010-01-07T21:29:00.001+05:30

Will the US Federal Government consider a care label with an alternate care instruction as given in the below picture

CPSC Extends the Stay of Enforcement on Testing and Certification Requirements for Many Children’s Products New Flexibility Granted on Component Parts Testing Policy for Lead

2009-12-19T05:16:00.001+05:30

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously (5-0) to extend a stay of enforcement on testing and certification of many regulated children’s products. While enforcement of specific CPSC testing requirements has been stayed, the products must still comply with all applicable rules and bans.

Children’s Products

Categories of children’s products to remain covered by the stay of enforcement include: children’s toys and child care articles with banned phthalates, children’s toys subject to ASTM’s F-963 toy safety standard, caps and toy guns, clacker balls, baby walkers, bath seats, other durable infant products, electrically-operated toys, youth all-terrain vehicles, youth mattresses, children’s bicycles, carpets and rugs, vinyl plastic film and children’s sleepwear.

The stay of enforcement will remain in effect for these children’s products while CPSC continues to work toward recognizing labs. Independent third party testing and certification will only be required for these categories of children’s products 90 days after CPSC publishes the laboratory accreditation requirements for any individual category in the Federal Register.

Additionally, the Commission voted 4-1 to extend the stay on certification and third party testing for children’s products subject to lead content limits until February 10, 2011. Under this decision, products must still meet the 300 ppm lead limit now, but certification and third party testing to show compliance will be required for all children’s products manufactured after February 10, 2011. A children’s product is one that is primarily intended for children 12 and younger.

The stay will end on February 10, 2010 for four children’s products: bicycle helmets, bunk beds, infant rattles and dive sticks. These children’s products, manufactured after February 10, 2010, will be required to have certification based on independent third party testing. The testing must be conducted by a laboratory recognized by CPSC.

Unchanged is the current independent third party testing and certification required for all children’s products subject to the following consumer product safety rules:

The ban on lead in paint and other surface coatings
The standards for full-size and non full-size cribs and pacifiers
The ban on small parts
The limits on lead content of metal components of children’s jewelry

Nonchildren’s Products

Under the CPSIA, different rules apply to nonchildren’s products. Domestic manufacturers and importers are not required to test nonchildren’s products using an independent third party lab. However, they must certify that nonchildren’s products comply with applicable CPSC regulations by issuing a general certificate of conformity (GCC) based on a reasonable testing program.

A GCC will be required for some nonchildren’s products manufactured after February 10, 2010. These products include: architectural glazing materials, ATVs, adult bunk beds, candles with metal wicks, CB antennas, contact adhesives, cigarette lighters, multi-purpose lighters, matchbooks, garage door openers, portable gas containers, lawn mowers, mattresses, unstable refuse bins, refrigerator door latches, swimming pool slides, products subject to regulations under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), paint and household furniture subject to lead paint regulations.

The Commission has decided not to require GCCs for children’s products. A full list of required certifications and effective dates can be found in the attached chart (below). The chart shows which products remain subject to the stay of certification and which do not.

The stay of enforcement will remain in effect for certain categories of nonchildren’s products including adult bicycles, carpets and rugs, vinyl plastic film and wearing apparel. General certificates of conformity are currently required for pool drain covers.

Additionally, products that require labeling under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) or labeling rules will not require additional certification to those regulations.

Component Testing Adds Flexibility to Compliance

Significant to domestic manufacturers, crafters and U.S. importers, the Commission has also voted unanimously (5-0) to adopt an interim enforcement policy allowing component part testing. Under this policy, domestic manufacturers and importers now have a choice in certifying their products. As before, they can send samples of the entire children’s product out for independent third party testing. Now they can certify their products as meeting lead paint and lead content limits in the following ways:

Lead in Paint

Have test reports from recognized independent third party testing labs showing that each paint on the product complies with the 90 ppm lead paint limit.

OR

Have certificates from paint suppliers declaring that all their paint on the product complies with the 90 ppm lead limit based on testing by recognized independent third party testing laboratories.

Lead content

Have test reports from recognized independent third-party testing labs showing that each of the accessible component parts on the product complies with the 300 ppm lead limit.

OR

Have certificates from part suppliers declaring that all accessible component parts on the product comply with the 300 ppm lead limit based on testing by recognized independent third party testing laboratories.

Most fasteners, such as buttons, zippers, and screws, sold by themselves are not considered children’s products and would not have to comply with the lead limits or be certified. However, the same fasteners must meet the lead limits if they are used on a children’s product. Voluntary certification by suppliers of component parts would make them more beneficial to manufacturers who use them in children’s products.

Any person who issues a false certificate is subject to penalties.

CPSC is working to provide manufacturers and importers with clarity on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and their responsibilities to comply with the law. The agency intends to implement the law in a firm but fair manner in order to build consumer confidence, keep children safe and keep businesses open and competitive.

While the stay of enforcement remains in effect for the certification and testing requirements for certain products, all products must comply with the safety standards and bans of the law, including the limits for lead content, lead paint, the ban on certain phthalates and the ASTM F-963 mandatory toy standard.

Rule, Standard or Ban
Non Children’s Products General Conformity Certificate required?
Children’s Products Certificate based on Third Party Testing required?

1
Lead paint on Children’s Products (16 CFR part 1303)
Not Applicable
Yes, for products manufactured after December 21, 2008, certification to lower 90 ppm limit required for products manufactured after August 14, 2009

2
Full-size cribs (16 CFR part 1508) and non full-size cribs (16 CFR 1509) and Pacifiers (16 CFR part 1511)
Not Applicable
Yes, for products manufactured after January 20, 2009

3
Small parts (16 CFR part 1501)
Not Applicable
Yes, for products manufactured after February 15, 2009

4
Lead in metal components of children’s metal jewelry (CPSIA § 101)
Not Applicable
Yes, for products manufactured after March 23, 2009

5
Bicycle helmets (16 CFR part 1203)
Pre-existing labeling requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010

6
Bunk beds (16 CFR parts 1213 and 1513)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010

7
Rattles (16 CFR parts 1510, 1500.18(a)(15) and 1500.86(a)(1))
Not Applicable
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010

8
Dive sticks (16 CFR parts 1500.18(a)(9) and1500.86(a)(7) and (a)(8))
Not Applicable
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010

9
Bicycles (16 CFR part 1512)
Yes, for products manufactured after May 17, 2010
Yes, for products manufactured after May 17, 2010

10
Total lead content in metal children’s products and in non-metal children’s products (CPSIA § 101)
Not Applicable
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2011

11
Ban on Lead-In-Paint in paint and on furniture (16 CFR part 1303)
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable (see “Lead Paint on Children’s Products” above)

12
Requirements for child-resistance on portable gas containers (Section 2 of the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act)
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

13
Regulations for special packaging required under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (16 CFR part 1700)
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

14
Ban on extremely flammable contact adhesives (16 CFR part 1302)
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

15
Ban of unstable refuse bins (16 CFR part 1301)
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

16
Standard for refrigerator door latches (16 CFR part 1750)
Yes, for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

17
Carpets and rugs (16 CFR parts 1630 and 1631, except that the continuation of the stay of enforcement does not extend to guarantees under the Flammable Fabrics Act)
Stayed
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

18
Vinyl plastic film (16 CFR part 1611, except that the continuation of the stay of enforcement does not extend to guarantees under the Flammable Fabrics Act)
Stayed
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

19
Wearing apparel (16 CFR part 1610, except that the continuation of the stay of enforcement does not extend to guarantees under the Flammable Fabrics Act)
Stayed
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

20
Caps and toy guns (16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(5)
Not Applicable
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

21
Phthalates (section 108 of the CPSIA)
Not Applicable
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

22
ASTM F963 (Consumer Safety Specifications for Toy Safety) (section 106 of the CPSIA)
Stayed
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

23
Clacker balls (16 CFR parts 1500.18(a)(7), 1500.86(a)(5))
Not Applicable
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

24
Baby walkers (In the FEDERAL REGISTER of September 3, 2009 (74 FR 45704), the Commission issued a proposed rule pertaining to baby walker standards)
Not Applicable
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

25
Bath seats (In the FEDERAL REGISTER of September 3, 2009 (74 FR 45719), the Commission issued a proposed rule pertaining to bath seats)
Not Applicable
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

26
Children’s sleepwear (16 CFR parts 1615 and 1616)
Not Applicable
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

27
Electronically Operated Toys (16 CFR parts 1500.18(b) and 1505)
Not Applicable
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

28
Durable infant products (section 104 of the CPSIA)
Not Applicable
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

29
ATVs
Certification requirements never stayed for products manufactured after April 13, 2009, full GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

30
Mattresses (16 CFR part 1632 and 1633)
Pre-existing certification requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Stayed, until 90 days after the Commission issues notices of accreditation of laboratories for testing

31
Architectural glazing (16 CFR part 1201)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

32
Matchbooks (16 CFR part 1202)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

33
CB antennas (16 CFR part 1204)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

34
Lawnmowers (16 CFR part 1205)
Pre-existing labeling requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

35
Swimming pool slides (16 CFR part 1207)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

36
Candles with metal wicks and metal wicks (16 CFR 1500.12(a)(2) and 1500.17(a)(13(i)-(ii))
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

37
Cellulose insulation (16 CFR part 1209)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

38
Garage door openers (16 CFR part 1211)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

39
Cigarette lighters (16 CFR part 1210)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

40
Multi-purpose lighters (16 CFR part 1212)
Pre-existing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

41
Fireworks (16 CFR 1500.14(b)(7), 1500.17(a)(3), 1500.17(a)(8-9), 1500.17(a)(11-12), 1500.83(a)27, 1500.85(a)(2) and part 1507
Pre-existing testing requirements never stayed, GCC required for products manufactured after February 10, 2010
Not Applicable

42
FHSA labeling
Not required
Not required

Links to Commissioners' Statements on this vote:

2010 is not far away and AATCC is going to bring an exciting change in starting Jan 2010 . Watch for the January/February 2010 issue in mid-January.

2009-12-16T21:53:00.001+05:30

Beginning next month, a longer, more visually-appealing version of AATCC Review will be coming to you on a bimonthly basis. Watch for the January/February 2010 issue in mid-January.

More pages , more articles , more information and more and more of what we all liked to read in the AATCC Review.

Cheers and Happy Reading.

Note the Last Monthly Issue of Dec 2009 may be a collectors issue so keep is safe. The e-version is on line, so members log in and download it.

ASTM International Global Cooperation conducts Textile training in Botswana Africa

2009-12-11T09:29:00.001+05:30

11 Dec 2009.

Africa for many people is the sunrise continent, the richest in terms of resources, but ironically the poorest in terms if per-capita and GDP.

ASTM International is now taking efforts to share its resources with African countries to upgrade the technical knowledge of the people of Africa.

As a part of this out reach effort, a program on Textile Performance Standards was held between 30th Nov and 4th December at the Botswana Bureau of Standards ( BOBS). The program was conducted by ASTM Trainer Jayakumar ( Kumar) . The core objective of the program was to make the participants understand how to develop standards and specifications for textiles that the people of Botswana use, both General wearing Apparel as well as Specialized apparel.

The program was well attended by over 50 persons, and every participant , has stated that they enjoyed the program and learnt several new information on textile testing and quality.

For Pictures of the program please click below link

http://picasaweb.google.com/jaykes1964/BOBSTRGPGM001?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWuoLqI5_nbKw

ASTM International Hosts Virtual Session on Sustainability and Textiles

2009-12-08T10:45:00.001+05:30

Sustainability in the textile industry brought together an international audience for a recent virtual meeting hosted by ASTM International. Close to 30 professionals from India, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Europe and the United States, representing textile firms, testing agencies, academia and ASTM International, participated.

Concerns about sustainable textile manufacturing, what it means and how to determine it, led to the meeting, according to Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan, ASTM’s India textile instructor and technical and service consultant. “The issue of sustainable textile manufacture is being pursued by many persons as well as organizations,” he says.

The virtual session provided information about ASTM’s work in sustainability standardization, how one industry is using the E60 forum to meet its needs, the way that one manufacturer has addressed some of the challenges in pioneering sustainable textile manufacturing and issues related to sustainability in textiles. Sessions and presenters included the following.

ASTM International Committee E60 on Sustainability—Dru Meadows, E60 chair and founding principal at theGreenTeam Inc., Tulsa, Okla., provided an overview of E60 and its plans for standards related to textiles.

Greening Meetings and Events through ASTM Voluntary Standards—Susan Tinnish, former director of the Convention Industry Council’s Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) and ASTM liaison to the group, covered APEX, environmental sustainability related to meetings and the role of standards related to greener meetings.

Sustainable Textiles from a Manufacturer’s Perspective—Aditya Goyal, director at Pratibha Syntex Pvt. Ltd., India, detailed experiences with and ongoing activities related to sustainable textiles.

Sustainability, a Holistic Perspective—Martin Bide, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I., and former president of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, discussed sustainability from a holistic perspective.

Reaction to the session was positive. "This is a new idea to have more people join globally with knowledge sharing that happens on our desktop," says K. Nagaraj, senior manager, Softlines, TÜV SÜD South Asia, who participated in the session.

ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

Technical Contact: Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan, Phone: +91-44-2615-1791; textile1@astm.org

ASTM Staff Contact: Steve Mawn, Phone: 610-832-9726; smawn@astm.org

ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #8406/Nov2009

ASTM International Hosts Virtual Session on Sustainability and Textiles

2009-12-08T10:43:00.000+05:30

ASTM International Hosts Virtual Session on Sustainability and Textiles

ASTM International Hosts Virtual Session on Sustainability and Textiles

ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

Technical Contact: Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan, Phone: +91-44-2615-1791; textile1@astm.org

ASTM Staff Contact: Steve Mawn, Phone: 610-832-9726; smawn@astm.org

ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #8406/Nov2009

ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

Technical Contact: Jayakumar Gopalakrishnan, Phone: +91-44-2615-1791; textile1@astm.org

ASTM Staff Contact: Steve Mawn, Phone: 610-832-9726; smawn@astm.org

ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #8406/Nov2009

ASTM International Adds Certification Capabilities

2009-11-20T06:29:00.000+05:30

ASTM International Adds Certification Capabilities

Introduction to ASTM Product Certification Program
The ASTM Product Certification Program is a voluntary program sponsored by ASTM International.
A product certified through the Program is tested, at the direction of ASTM, by a third-party laboratory to determine the products ability to conform to one or more standards.
Any corporate entity, domestic or international, that is a manufacturer, distributor, or private brand marketer of a product that falls within the scope of an ASTM certification program is eligible to have its product(s) apply for ASTM certification.

Benefits of ASTM Product Certification
The ASTM Product Certification Program is beneficial to manufacturers, the industry as a whole, and its consumers.
Provides consumers with a reliable apples-to-apples comparison of products that they are considering purchasing;
Increases consumer confidence through independent testing that verifies that the product will perform as the manufacturer claims;
Provides a level playing field for manufacturers as competing products are tested and rated to the same standard;
Addresses regulatory pressure;
May help reduce liability;
Includes listing in the ASTM Directory of Certified Products

Initiation of a Program
Request for a program can come from ASTM technical committees or directly from industry usually manufacturers, purchasers, or government.
ASTM, with input from the appropriate ASTM technical committee and key stakeholders, will determine whether there is sufficient interest from industry to initiate a new program.

ASTM is pleased to offer this enhanced service and welcomes your comments and questions.
Please feel free to contact Kenneth Pearson, Senior Vice President, who is heading up the program: kpearson@astm.org or telephone 610 832 9672.

India/South Asia: IPR Protection and Enforcement for Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Free Web-based Seminar

2009-11-11T07:48:00.001+05:30

Please pass this information to as many people as you know in India and South Asia.

Source Credit - NTA News Letter dated 11.11.2009

Posted: 10 Nov 2009 11:04 AM PST by NTA / On this Blon at 7.47 AM IST on 11.11.2009

India/South Asia: IPR Protection and Enforcement for Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Free Web-based Seminar -- Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 9 a.m. ET

IPR Protection and Enforcement for Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods . Learn more about trademark, copyright, patent, and other Intellectual Property Rights protection and enforcement strategies for India and other markets in South Asia. Experts will brief you and answer your specific questions.

Featured speakers include Mr. Dominic Keating, Intellectual Property Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.

Speaker bio: Mr. Dominic Keating - Intellectual Property Attaché, U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.
Webinar date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. ET – (-6.30 – 8.00 PM) Indian Time.
Event Cost: FREE

Webinar call-in & log-in information will be sent after registration is received. Please register via the following website.
OTEXA webinar series programs are free. Only a phone line and a computer with an internet connection are necessary. A registration confirmation, and dial-in/log-in instructions will be sent to you prior to the program.

To learn more about IPR in India, go to the India IPR Toolkit webpage. Additional information on Intellectual Property Rights protection and enforcement worldwide is available at www.stopfakes.gov.

This webinar is hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel.

For more information, please contact Amanda Douglas at 202-482-4058.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA)
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20230
Phone: (202) 482-5078 | Fax: (202) 482-2331
OTEXA@mail.doc.gov.

India : Net sales rise at Banswara Syntex - Textile News India

2009-11-04T04:35:00.001+05:30

AATCC Silver corporate member sees better days.

AATCC members may remember an article written by the Ravi Toshniwal - Joint Managing Director of Banswara Syntex . He wrote about their very Indian way of celeberating acheivements , with Chai ( Teas) and Samosa's( An Indian Potato stuffed Triangular Fried Pocket Puff Pastry- Spicy and nice)

Here is the latest news - and this means more Samosas and More Chai . Those keen to join in the celebrations, call Ravi.

Net Sales Rises At Banswar Syntex - News Source www.fiber2fashion.com

November 03, 2009 (India)

Banswara Syntex Limited(BSL), a vertically integrated textile company, has announced an 11.40 per cent rise in Net Sales at Rs 157.36 crore for second quarter ended September 30, 2009,compared to Rs 141.27 crore in the corresponding period last year.

The net sales for Q2FY10 include Export Sales of Rs. 99.35 crore (which constitutes 63% of Net Sales for Q2FY10). The company has reported Net Profit of Rs 7.44 crore compared to loss of Rs 0.23 crore in the corresponding quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Operating Profit i.e. Profit before Interest and Depreciation has been Rs 24.66 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to Rs 16.15 crore in the corresponding period last year.

Half Year Performance
For the half-year ended September 30, 2009, the company has posted a 13.50 per cent rise in Net Sales at Rs 307.26 crore compared to Rs 270.72 crore in the corresponding period last year. Net Profit during this period has increased to Rs 13.86 crore from mere Rs 0.09 crore in the corresponding period last year ended September 30, 2008.

Commenting on the performance of the company, Mr R L Toshniwal, Chairman and Managing Director said, “Going forward we expect a rise in the operating margins by increasing the sales of specialty technical fabric and garment business”.

Banswara Syntex Ltd.(BSL) is a vertically integrated textile player engaged in the manufacture of man-made synthetic, blended yarn, wool and wool mixed yarn, all types of suiting and jacquard furnishing fabrics, besides production of trousers, jackets and made-ups. The current installed capacity of its plant at Banswara (Rajasthan) is 1,19,188 Ring Spindles, 14,400 Spindles for Worsted Yarn, 576 Air Jet Spindles, 194 Shuttles-less Looms, 12 Jacquard Looms, Fabric Processing capacity of 4million meters/month besides 12,500 pcs/month of Jacquard made-ups. The company also has monthly Readymade Garment production capacity for 2,25,000 trousers and 10,000 Jackets at Daman and Surat. The company also has an 18MW coal-based Thermal Power plant. BSL exports its products to more than 50 countries including US, UK, Canada, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Philippines, Turkey, and GCC countries.

Fiber2Fasion.com

www.Garmento.org STITCH and SEAM GUIDE to ASTM Standard D-6193 br (Formerly Federal Standard 751a)

2009-10-24T12:07:00.000+05:30

A very good link on Stitches and Seams with downloadable pictures

www.Garmento.org STITCH and SEAM GUIDE to ASTM Standard D-6193 br (Formerly Federal Standard 751a)

Let me know if you fond it useful.

NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and An open letter of thoughts on why this occurred and how to avoid such tragedies.

2009-10-24T08:45:00.001+05:30

Blair Expands Recall To All Women’s Chenille Apparel Due to Burn Hazard; Additional Reported Deaths Prompt Re-Announcement of Robe Recall

9 Reported Deaths in Total; Consumers Urged to Stop Use of Flammable Wearing Apparel

Its with sadness I write this . 9 Lives have been lost, which could have been avoided by being prudent, can we replace these lives ?

Lack of knowledge of US Regulations on Flammable Fabrics Act 16CFR 1609 and the related Flammability of General wearing apparel 16 CFR 1610 is the case of this major tragedy.

Such a situation was waiting to happen, its no surprise that this tragedy has hit the industry . Its a sad day and I hope the worlds textile producers, sellers and 3rd party labs look down in shame for the loss of these lives.

I put the blame squarely on the people who are writing specifications for products at the retailers . Absolute lack of knowledge of what they are doing is the cause . I hope the retailers across the world wake up to the true situation of the hazards textiles can pose and work with technically competent people to write specifications and not simply look at others manuals and make copies with small grammatical changes .

I also advise that retailers insist that their agents, branch offices , buyers in other countries, employ proper technologists who are aware and knowledgeable about textiles. Instead today's textile industry is driven by people who even lack the logic of simplest of textile properties weight per square area.

On the other hand the manufacturer has to also educate the importer/retailer , if a retailer has wrongly designed a product a manufacturer has to bring this to the notice of the retailer. Every prototype has to be tested for safety.

3rd Party labs also play crucial roles, they buy cheap copies of instruments, do not train their staff properly, and do not insist on representative testing , for matters retailed to safety . All they want is business and money.

Finally CPSC, blundered by taking out the sampling procedure from 16CFR1610, under the paper work reducing act. While 100’s of sheets of paper is required to get a Visa to USA processed, proper sampling of a key safety test was removed . See the irony of policies of our Governments.

I also think the Governments of countries that produce such materials that cause death/s must take to task the manufacturers and file criminal cases against them. We are one world, a life lost in Africa due the negligence of some one in India, is to be considered as an infringement of law, no one has the right to take another persons life.

There is no other parameter more important than safety, if safety is compromised because of a design element , the design element has to taken out. Period !

This author believes that the lack of understanding, of the test method specified in 16CFR 1610 and improper sampling methods is main cause of this problem.

Many retailers and manufacturers and 3rd party labs, are all content with a single sample tested from a lot of any size is sufficient proof that the product passes 16CFR1610. Representative testing is not done, nor is anyone bothered about this.

The recall covers over 100,000 units, and I am not too sure if anyone bothered to conduct tests based on statistical sampling procedures.

Further, cotton having a reasonably high moisture regain, if not tested in dry state as mentioned in the regulation may not ignite in a 1 second impingement .

To avoid such loss of life which no one can replace, people in the business must realize that test certificates are not documents to procure payments. Everyone involved in the manufacture of textile products have to realize their responsibility towards the consumer who buys these products.

Color fastness and Dimensional stability problems are handled differently, I know of several retailers who have even tabulated discounts based for every 1/2 grade the sample fails by. Here a failure is not life threatening and so everyone got away.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Blair LLC, of Warren, Pa., are expanding Blair’s voluntary recall of women’s full length chenille robes to include additional chenille robes and three other chenille products all manufactured by A-One Textile & Towel. CPSC and Blair also are re-announcing the earlier recall of women’s robes.

In April 2009, Blair recalled 162,000 chenille robes after it learned of three robes catching on fire, including one report of second degree burns. Blair then received several reports of deaths allegedly due to robes catching fire. This prompted a second news release in June 2009 to again alert consumers to the burn hazard for the chenille robes. After this re-announcement, Blair received four additional reports of deaths allegedly due to the robes catching fire. Three of these victims were cooking and a fourth was tending a pellet stove; three of the four victims were in their 80s and one was in her 70s. All nine reported deaths occurred prior to the April 2009 announcement of the recall.

Products recalled are

Full Length Women’s Chenille Robes for about $30 to $40;
Women’s Chenille Jacket, about $25 to $29;
Women’s Chenille Lounge Jacket, about $20 to $23;
Women’s Chenille Top, about $20 to $23.

Hazard: Some of these products fail to meet the federal flammability standard and present a risk of serious burns to consumers if the garments are exposed to an open flame.

Incidents/Injuries: Since announcing the recall in April 2009, Blair has received nine reports of deaths allegedly due to the originally recalled robes catching fire. Blair has received one report on one of the additional garments catching fire; no injuries have been reported.

Manufactured in: Pakistan

Remedy: Consumers are urged to stop wearing the garments immediately. Contact Blair LLC for information on returning the products and to receive a refund or a $50 gift card for Blair merchandise.

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http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10017.html

2009-10-23T16:53:00.000+05:30

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10017.html

AATCC Monogram for Standardization of Hand Laundering for Fabrics and Apparel

2009-10-20T07:07:00.001+05:30

Developed in 2007 by AATCC Committee RA88.

Today we discuss Home Laundering procedures to be followed when testing textile products for their performance to hand laundering procedures.

There has always been some confusion on this area. Some people use the hand wash cycle that is available in certain washer models, some other used a 10 Gallon Pail and do a procedure.

Currently, no standard procedures exist for laboratory duplication of hand laundering of apparel items by consumers.

For this reason, AATCC has established a recommended standard laboratory practice that reflects consumer practice and provides consistent procedures for test repeatability

This standardized hand wash procedure is called the “Standardization of Hand Laundering for Fabrics and Apparel” and is available on page 400 of the Print and PDF versions of the technical manual.

It would be best for all retailers, fabric and Garment buyers and sellers, whose product calls for hand wash procedure to standardize on this AATCC method, so as to create a Global repeatable procedure , so that results do not vary due to the variation in the method used.

More details can be obtained from RA 88 . Please contact me assist@aatcc.org if you want to discuss or debate this method.

A Book on Precise Color Communication – Clear of Ads

2009-10-17T13:08:00.001+05:30

KONICA MINOLTA-PRECISE COLOR COMMUNICATION Shared via AddThis

Link to Register for a Free PDF http://www.konicaminolta.eu/measuring-instruments/color-light-knowledge/precise-color-communication/form.html

AATCC Recommended Washers and Dryers – Good Installation and Maintenance is Key to longer life of the machines.

2009-10-15T07:00:00.001+05:30

Across the Globe several textile and textile product manufacturers , test labs and many others involved in the selling textile products to USA , use AATCC recommended washers and Dryers of different brands .

These machines are used to conduct certain AATCC test methods that require the sample to undergo one or several cycles of laundering as per the AATCC Home Laundering monogram.

AATCC tries to identify and recommend machines that comply to AATCC Home laundering monogram, and this is an uncompensated service. It is provided by AATCC with no liability and more importantly, AATCC does not approve these machines. Any machine that complies to the AATCC Home Laundering monogram may be used.

The myth that several people believe is that

AATCC approves these machines,

No! that’s not correct.

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These are Domestic Machines , not designed for continuous use !

Washers and Dryers that are recommended by AATCC are primarily designed for Domestic use and not for industrial use . Which means , these machines are expected to work well when used for one or 2 launderings per day.

In a factory or a Lab these washers and dryers run continuously , for 3 shifts , almost non stop. I have personally seen machines operating at ambient temperatures of 46 and 47 Deg C . ( 115 to 116 Def F)

This leads to high levels of break downs. The biggest bottle neck in testing is dimensional stability is a known fact , given the time taken to condition, run 3 cycles Wash Dry – condition , Check- ( Fail stop ), Pass – Wash , Wash , Dry, condition re-measure.

If a washer or dryer brakes down , then everyone is running helter skelter. Not one mill thinks of having a stand by, its all then back to the traditional management methods – Crisis Management , or some would prefer to call it risk management which is ship without testing. Philosophizing life has been a part of man right from the time we started painting in caves.

Experience says that the part that suffers the most in a washer is the Rubber drive coupler. The key reason is unlevel machine, and the Drive belt in a Dryer. In South Asia, another major problem is quality of power supply, intermittent power outages and shift from main line to Generators, change in phase and neutral also take a toll on the Solenoid Valves, motors, timers etc.

Some of the damages that occur to the machines need parts , which costs almost 3/4 the price of a new machine. I advice many people who run their machines very often, to change the whole machine once every 18months. Then not one listens to good advise, anyway….

I give Below some tips on maintaining these machines , so that they give better service and life.

Maintenance of AATCC Recommended Washers and Dryers

Your washer and dryer are among your most frequently used appliances, so keep them in top shape.

Time Taken : 1 hour
Difficulty : Easy
Expertise : None
Frequency : Once a week for machines used every day , this may be changed to once a fortnight or once a month depending upon frequency of usage .

Overview

Using your washer and dryer every week means that many cycles of dirt, detergent, water and heat pass through it — not to mention a lot of wear and tear. Here's how to make your washer and dryer cleaner, safer and more efficient.

Cleaning Your Washer
Cleaning the exterior

Use a soft, damp cloth or sponge to wipe up any spills such as detergent or bleach. Occasionally wipe the outside of your washer to keep it looking new.

Cleaning the interior

Clean your washer interior by mixing 1 cup (250 mL) of chlorine bleach and 2 cups (500 mL) of detergent. Pour this into your washer and run it through a complete cycle using hot water. Repeat this process if necessary.
NOTE: Remove any hard water deposits using only cleaners labeled as washer safe.
Cleaning the liquid fabric softener dispenser Flush dispenser periodically with warm water. Remove the dispenser by grasping the top of the dispenser with both hands and squeezing and pushing upwards with thumbs. Clean the dispenser by rinsing it under a water faucet. Replace it after cleaning.
NOTE: Do not wash clothes with this dispenser removed. Do not add detergent or bleach to this dispenser; it is for liquid fabric
softener use only.

DRYER CARE
Cleaning the Lint Screen
Clean the lint screen before each load. A screen blocked by lint can increase drying time.
IMPORTANT:
Do not run the dryer with the lint screen loose, damaged, blocked, or missing. Doing so can cause overheating and damage to both the dryer and fabrics.
If lint falls off the screen into the dryer during removal, check the exhaust hood and remove the lint.

Every Load Cleaning

Style 1: Lint Screen on Top of the Machine
1. The lint screen is located on top of the dryer. Pull the lint screen toward you. Roll lint off the screen with your fingers.
Do not rinse or wash screen to remove lint. Wet lint is hard to remove.
2. Push the lint screen firmly back into place.

Style 2: Lint Screen in the Door of the Machine
1. The lint screen is located in the door of the dryer. Pull the lint screen straight up. Roll lint off the screen with your fingers. Do
not rinse or wash screen to remove lint. Wet lint is hard to remove.
2. Push the lint screen firmly back into place.
As Needed Cleaning
1. Wet both sides of lint screen with hot water.
2. Wet a nylon brush with hot water and liquid detergent. Scrub lint screen with the brush to remove residue buildup.
3. Rinse screen with hot water.
4. Thoroughly dry lint screen with a clean towel. Replace screen in dryer.

Cleaning the Dryer Interior

1. Apply a non-flammable household cleaner to the stained area of the drum and rub with a soft cloth until stain is removed.
2. Wipe drum thoroughly with a damp cloth.
3. Tumble a load of clean cloths or towels to dry the drum.
NOTE: Garments which contain unstable dyes, such as denim blue jeans or brightly colored cotton items, may discolor the dryer interior. These stains are not harmful to your dryer and will not stain future loads of clothes. Dry unstable dye items inside-out to prevent dye transfer

Further Steps to employ for stubborn stains or if maintenance is being done after a long time of use

Clean your washer. First, remove germs and detergent buildup by running an empty load with hot water and two cups of chlorine bleach or white vinegar (Use cooking grade White Vinegar as the dilution is perfect, do not use Acetic acid) .
In the middle of the wash cycle, add 1/2 cup of detergent. Let the load run the full cycle.
Remove any stains on the washer drum with a soft abrasive cleanser and a sponge.
Clean your dryer vent hose — doing so regularly helps prevent fires. Just unhook the clamps, dryer vent hose or ductwork from the back of the machine and the wall vent. Vacuum out both ends and inside the hose, then reattach the hose firmly to the machine and the wall vent. Use aluminum tape to reattach the ductwork joints.
Check the interior dryer drum for stains:
- To remove gum, let the dryer tumble on the hot setting for 10 minutes. When it stops, soak a dryer sheet in a clothing stain remover and wipe the gum with the dryer sheet.
- To get out crayon, ink or fabric-dye stains, spray inside the dryer drum with a non-flammable household cleaner. Dampen a clean rag with water and wipe the inside of the drum. Throw clean old towels in the dryer and run in Air Dry for 10 minutes to remove residue.

Tips & warnings

Turn off water faucets after finishing the laundry to prevent leaks.
Never vent a dryer inside. It is a health risk and can cause moisture damage.
Clean the dryer lint trap after each load.
Don't use flammable cleaners in your dryer or dry any fabric that’s been exposed to flammable liquids.
Use a metal dryer vent hose, not plastic. Plastic hoses break easily and trap lint that can cause fires. If your dryer vent hose is difficult to clean, consider replacing it, or hire a pro to clean it

For more details information on complex maintenance and service procedures as well as How to calibrate / Verify these machines ? - contact me direct and I will send the protocol to you to ,email me at textileqa@gmail.com .

Right to refuse to give details is reserved.

Dryer Washer

Parts and Features shown in the pictures may vary from model to model .

ASTM International’s First Ever Global Virtual Meeting on sustainability of Textile and Textile product manufacture and use

2009-10-03T08:34:00.000+05:30

ASTM International is conducting a Virtual Meeting on Sustainability in the Textile Industry with emphasis on the US EPA regulations on Green events and its impact on textile products and the future approach towards sustainability as a Global concept .

====================================================================================================

Date and Time

Date: 08-Oct 2009

Time: Several Times are given based on Different Time Zones, please check which time zone you fall under,

12.00 PM to 2.00 PM GMT / 8:30 and 10:00 AM US Eastern Time /Corresponds to a 5:30 - 7:30 PM India and Sri Lanka Time / 8.00-10.00 PM Singapore and Malaysia / 6.30 to 8.30 PM Thailand and Indonesia / 5.00 7.00 PM PST / 6.00 to 8.00 Bangladesh time.Others please refer to GMT .

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Tools to be Used ; Webex using VOIP – Voice over Internet Protocol

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Program Details

The program will consist of speeches by US and Indian experts and will cover US efforts towards sustainability, both Government and private. EPA regulations on use of sustainable and Green Textiles in Major Events-- program is planned for 4 speakers, 15 mins each, an Internet based audience of 35-50 from various countries. A break out session for 20 mins; The virtual meeting will present a forum for a very preliminary discussion on this issue. In the audience we anticipate having participants from the U.S. and India and perhaps other nations. This virtual meeting presents a unique opportunity to bring together stakeholders in the international marketplace (producers, procurers and general interest participants) to conduct a brief and preliminary discussion on the topic.

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Computer and Internet requirements

The Entire program will be held on the WebEx platform* and speakers and participants need to connect to ASTM Virtual meeting site to attend the program. Links to join the meeting will be sent on 7th Tuesday from USA. *Instructions on how to participate in a WebEx conference are available from https://astm.webex.com/mw0305l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=astm

All attendees must have a computer with sound enabled, and must use head sets . Those intending to ask questions or speak during the program or in the break out session should have head sets with microphones. All mikes barring the speakers will be muted when the official speakers are speaking. All mikes will be un-muted whenever a attendee wants to ask a question.

Internet speeds : Recommended 256 Kpbs and above . Minimum 112 Kpbs . Speeds above this will render better quality sound and Video and less lag . Speeds below 112Kpbs will have very poor quality sound may not stream video at all and may get disconnected from the meeting site.

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Contacts

If you wish to attend the virtual meeting please indicate by responding by E-mail to Manager of Global Cooperation, Jessica Hychalk jhychalk@astm.org. A WebEx invitation will be issued on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. The invitation will contain a link that will take you to the meeting site.

Invitees from India may contact our local Technical and Service consultant Jayakumar for any assistance textile1@astm.org

A test session to familiarize people on using Webex will be held on 6th October 10.30 AM Indian time, those wishing to join this session may please e-mail to jayakumar@grmg.org

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Agenda

The program will start exactly at the given time. The Meeting site will be open 20 minutes before the program time. Order of speakers may change.

Ms. Jessica Hychalk , will be the program compere.

Speaker	Affiliation/role	Title	Speaker's topic
Mr. Dru Meadows	The GreenTeam, Inc. and ASTM International Chairman of Committee E60 on Sustainability	Chairman of Committee E60	Review of Committee E60 and Subcommittee E60.02 on Hospitality; E60 activity and elaborate on the Scope as given in the committee page--frame some concrete plans for textiles
Ms.Susan Tinnish	Convention Industry Council		Industry Expectations Pertaining to Sustainability in Event Venues Particularly as it applies to Textiles (linens, upholstery, draperies, staff uniforms). EPA requirements for green meetings To what degree textile end-products are considered when evaluating the sustainability of meeting/conference venues Existence of requirements and criteria for measuring sustainability of textiles used in meeting/conference venues.
Mr. Shreyeskar Chowdary	Pratibah Syntex India (http://www.pratibhasyntex.com)	Managing Director of Pratibha Syntex Pvt. Ltd. India	Pioneered growing cotton the organic way in India. Has the longest experience of growing and using organic cotton .He will share his experiences on sustainability and what he perceives are the next steps to be taken to make the textile industry sustainable.
Dr. Martin Bide	Head of the Textile Department University of Rhode Island	Head of the Textile Dept -The University of Rhode island/Former president of AATCC	Sustainability an Holistic Perspective
Break Out Session	Thoughts and Ideas	Where do we go from here	Action Plan / Next meting

The Comedy of Errors of Light Booths and its Calibration

2009-09-26T12:31:00.001+05:30

Today I want to write about the errors committed in calibration of Light boxes by almost all ISO 17025 certified labs in India , and its acceptance by the auditors.

ISO 17025 calls for very strict calibration , verification and maintenance of instruments used for testing.

I strongly beleive that more by design , users of light boxes have been made to believe that Lux value alone need to be calibrated and the Spectral Power Distribution and Color Temperature ( the last 2 terms are seldom mentioned by anyone leave alone understand it ).

The reason for this is largely lack of knowledge of the need to to measure these values not only by the Indian companies that made low cost light boxes. Not only were these people ignorant , due to their propaganda and the lack of knowledge even among dyers , Lux measurements were considered as sufficient measurement.

The choice of Lux as a parameter was in my view due to 2 reasons , the measuring instrument is cheap and easy to achieve with commercial Fl Lamps.

Further ISO 105 A01also does not say anything about the need to measure SPD and CCT , it simply says 600 Lux and above is considered as good for Grey scale assessments , another mistake here is no maximum value is mentioned, high lux values can also cause problems.

So the Light Box makers bought low cost Lux meters , that is mostly used in the film industry to measure lux at the Heroines face and started measuring the light inside the cabinet to be 600 Lux and above and started selling certified Light boxes.

The major problem is no one know what lamps were generating the 600+ Lux , and it could be anything D65, F02 F11 etc.

The auditors who were accredited by NABL ( National accreditation Board for Testing and calibration labs ) also went only by Lux values and did not bother to check the SPD or the CCT.

One very much acclaimed Auditor even dismissed me saying that SPD and CCT are not required to be measured.

So several Indian made light boxed had D55, CWF TL84 or any lamp with 600 lux and got away as calibrated light boxes.

This is the the biggest cause for debates in visual matches as well as Grey scale values.

Comments and Recommendations.

Please note Light Boxes need to be calibrated for Lux, SPD and CCT.
Refer to AATCC EP 9 for more details on what must be CCT of the lamps and the desirable Lux values.
CIE has full details of the SPD of all the lamps
Calibration has to be carried out every 1000 hours of operation or 1 year which ever is earlier.
Fluorescent Lamps cannot be adjusted and need to replaced with new ones if the required values are not achieved.
Do not be taken in by price, compliance to standards and specification are more important, as Color is the biggest property based on which the Apparel business is done. Right from design to purchase of a product by a consumer.
Good Light boxes show the color as close as it is in its original state and there by reduces debates.
Clean the Tubes daily, or fiber keeps accumulating on the tubes and over a period of time changes the Lux , CCT and SPD .
Paint the Light Box Munsell N5 or N7 as per the manufacturers instructions.

‘CPSC 2.0’ Launches Product Safety Agency into Social Media Consumers to Be Informed of Important Safety Issues Faster and More Frequently

2009-09-24T08:03:00.001+05:30

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In keeping with its commitment to protect the lives of children and families, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is launching “CPSC 2.0,” a comprehensive social networking initiative that will make lifesaving and other safety information more accessible to consumers. Utilizing a variety of technologies and social media sites, CPSC will rapidly expand its reach to millions of consumers.

“Through social media, CPSC can directly reach millions of the moms, dads and others who need our safety information the most,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

Today’s launch coincides with CPSC’s Furniture and TV Tip-over Education Campaign. By educating parents and caregivers about the dangers of unstable furniture through dramatic video, blogging and podcasting, CPSC hopes to raise the public’s awareness of tip-over dangers in the home.

Future CPSC 2.0 content will address other safety issues in and around the home in engaging, consumer-friendly ways.

Chairman Tenenbaum added, “Safety can often be achieved through education, and we plan to use every available technology to keep Americans informed.”

Consumers can find CPSC on its “OnSafety” blog, which has messages, articles, videos, podcasts and other information. The site also has a ‘Recall Widget’ tool that anyone can easily add to their Web site. CPSC will also have an official presence on a YouTube channel, a Twitter page, and a FlickR page.

Fundamental Processes of Dye Chemistry(1949) | Scribd

2009-09-17T13:53:00.001+05:30

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U.S. Labor Department issues reports on international child labor and forced labor

2009-09-17T10:38:00.001+05:30

News from US Dept of Labor

For complete information please visit ILAB site http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) on September 10, 2009 released three reports on child labor and/or forced labor in countries around the globe.

The documents include the initial "List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor" required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (TVPRA List).
The TVPRA List informs the public about 122 goods from 58 countries that ILAB has reason to believe are produced by forced labor, child labor or both in violation of international standards. ILAB also has released a proposed update to the "List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor" (EO List) pursuant to Executive Order 13126 of 1999. The list includes 29 products from 21 countries and will be available for public comment beginning Sept. 11.

In addition, ILAB has published its 8th annual "Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor" as mandated by the Trade and Development Act of 2000 on the efforts of 141 countries and territories to combat exploitive child labor.
The countries with products included on the TVPRA List span every region of the world. The most common items listed include cotton, sugar cane, tobacco, coffee, rice and cocoa in agriculture; bricks, garments, carpets and footwear in manufacturing; and gold and coal in mined and quarried goods.

The bureau's Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT) prepared the three reports and collected data from U.S. embassies, foreign governments, international and nongovernmental organizations, technical assistance and field research projects, academic research and the media.
OCFT has funded more than $720 million in programs to help officials in more than 80 countries combat the worst forms of child labor. ILAB conducts research on and formulates international economic, trade and labor policies in collaboration with other U.S. government agencies, and provides international technical assistance in support of U.S. foreign-labor policy objectives.
Copies of the reports are available at http://www.dol.gov/ilab.

Or Down load from below links

If you feel that the information publishes by ILAB is contrary to the truth , and you have proof to show the US Dept of Labor that their information is wrong.

THEN PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT “Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by the Department of Labor” from this link Document link .

Read it fully and petition the below contact with the information you have to show that the US Dept of Labor is wrong.

Mr. Darrin King
Office of the Chief Information Officer
U.S. Department of Labor
Room N-1301 ,200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210
Voice: 202-693-4129 , FAX: 202-693-4228
Click on this link Contact Form to leave your message on the ILAB website

ASTM STANDARDS UPDATE NEWS 15TH Sept 2009

2009-09-15T07:45:00.001+05:30

New Approved ASTM Standards

D1425/D1425M - Standard Test Method for Unevenness of Textile Strands Using Capacitance Testing Equipment has been reinstated, with revision to D1425/D1425M-09

New ASTM Work Items

WK25701 - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Delamination of the Secondary Backing of Pile Yarn Floor Covering is a work item revision to existing standard D3936-05

WK25702 - Standard Test Method for Edge Ravel Resistance of Finished Loop Pile, Pile Yarn Floor Covering is a work item revision to existing standard D7267-06

Making Sense of- Variation in Fabric Weight (GSM/OzY2) Differences from location to location – Logic and Reason – Based on ASTM D 3776

2009-09-14T08:22:00.002+05:30

Purpose of this Document
( For those of you who dont want to read through the whole text, please scroll to the last paragraph, where I have explained all of this in simple words)
To give a logical explanation for variation in fabric weight ( GSM) when measured in different locations.
To understand this one should understand the role atmospheric moisture called Relative humidity that plays a significant role in increasing or decreasing the weight of textile fabrics. In scientific parlance a term called Moisture regain is used to explain the ability of different fibers to absorb water from the atmosphere and retain it in them. ( See table 1 below that shows the max moisture regain of different fibers at the standard condition for testing textiles which is Temp of 20+/- 1 Deg C and Relative humidity of 65 +/- 2% RH).
What is Relative humidity and why is it relative – Relative Humidity of air is the ratio of the pressure of water vapor present to the pressure of saturated water vapor at the same temperature. Saturated is 100%, the pressure of Air with 100% water vapor is 100% Humidity, as the water vapor content in air reduces the pressure reduces and this is calculated relative to the 100% pressure and expressed as a % of Humidity, since it is relative to 100% water vapor , its called relative humidity.
Absolute humidity —the total mass of water vapor present in a unit volume of air.
Humidity —the condition of the atmosphere in respect to water vapor.
Moisture regain —the amount of water re-sorbed by a dried textile material at specified equilibrium conditions of temperature and humidity, compared to the mass of the dried material. This is normally calculated at standard atmosphere which is Temp of 20+/- 1 Deg C and Relative humidity of 65 +/- 2% RH. One must keep in mind that the Moisture regain will reduce with RH less than 65% or be more where the RH is above 65%.
Standard moisture regain —the moisture regain of a material at equilibrium with the standard atmosphere for testing textiles. The standard atmosphere for testing textile is accepted as a Temp of 20+/- 1 Deg C and Relative humidity of 65 +/- 2% RH. Below table gives standard moisture regain values for various textile fibers.Do remember that in order for a fabric to confirm to the below given moisture regain values it must be dry prior to conditioning. If the materials is removed form the Stenter or compactor where steam is applied, such material should not be weighed for GSM. These materials must first be dried at 50 Deg C until it is bone dry and then conditioned for a minimum period given in table 2 to enable it to regain moisture and come to equilibrium at standard atmosphere.
Moisture regain Table
Fiber Minimum Conditioning Period
Conditioning Times

All weighing tests should be made in the standard atmosphere for testing textiles (20 +/-1°C , 65 +/- 2 % RH , after the specimens have been conditioned in the same atmosphere.

Where weightings are conducted without conditioning the textile material for a minimum period mentioned in the above table . Such results may not correspond with the results obtained after testing adequately conditioned specimens in the standard atmosphere for testing textiles. This is the main reason for the difference.
In case of a dispute arising from differences in reported test values when using Test Methods D 3776 for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the supplier ( or the mill and 3rd party lab) should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias. As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test specimens which are as homogeneous as possible and which are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two laboratories should be compared using student’s t-test for unpaired data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and the supplier must agree to interpret future test results in the light of the known bias.
Another reason for the difference is the standards say take 10 Circles each 113 Dia meter ,. The Circles must be cut in a diagonal manner to cover various length and width yarns , and then weight them, but almost all the people only use one circle and determine the weight. – Natural fibers are highly variable and basing any result on one specimen will only give errors . Remember the larger the population the larger the sample size should be.
Just to make you understand more clearly , lets say I am asked to conduct a survey as to how many men in India are bald. I take a sample size of 2 men and both are found bald, so my conclusion will be 100% of all Indian males are bald. Which we all know is not true. This same logic applies to GSM calculation also. To cover for the variations that may occur across the length and width of the fabric we take 10 circles and not one.
Another consideration is total sampling, if the lot size is 1000 meters , or 100,000 meters the sampling cannot be just the 10 circles, we need to increase the specimens as per the lot size.

Remember the larger the population larger the sampling size should be.

OK now to explain this in simple words :
When I am sitting in a place where the air is very wet say like Goa or Kerala and you are sitting in Delhi where the air is very dry. When I weigh my cotton or viscose or Wool , it will show a higher weight than when you weigh it in Delhi. So we both fight. To avoid this fighting, we must exchange some standard cotton and Standard viscose fabric and any other fiber that we use regularly , every month and establish what's the difference we see in the weighing every fortnight and establish the bias between our weighing and agree to that bias as the difference that will occur between our two weighing.
This is what we say agree to disagree and also establish the amount of disagreement.
For for details please read ASTM D 123, 1776, 1909 and 3776
Acknowledgements to ASTM International.

ASTM NEWS – STANDARDS UPDATE

2009-09-08T21:00:00.001+05:30

A new copy of the following ASTM standards and Work Items descriptions are available.

New Approved ASTM Standards

D2051 - Standard Test Method for Durability of Finish of Zippers to Laundering has been reapproved, available as D2051-03(2009)

D2058 - Standard Test Method for Durability of Finish of Zippers to Dry-cleaning has been reapproved, available as D2058-03(2009)

D2062 - Standard Test Methods for Operability of Zippers has been reapproved, available as D2062-03(2009)

D2118 - Standard Practice for Assigning a Standard Commercial Moisture Content for Wool and its' Products has been reapproved, available as D2118-05(2009)

D2252 - Standard Specification for Fineness of Types of Alpaca has been reapproved, available as D2252-05(2009)

D2260 - Standard Tables of Conversion Factors and Equivalent Yarn Numbers Measured in Various Numbering Systems has been reapproved, available as D2260-03(2009)

D2816 - Standard Test Method for Cashmere Coarse-Hair Content in Cashmere has been reapproved, available as D2816-05(2009)

D2817 - Standard Specification for Maximum Cashmere Coarse-Hair Content in Cashmere has been reapproved, available as D2817-05(2009)

D4030/D4030M - Standard Specification for Glass Fiber Cord and Sewing Thread has been revised (with designation change) to D4030/D4030M-09

D7559/D7559M - Standard Test Method for Determining Pressure Decay of Inflatable Restraint Cushions is a new standard, now available. D7559/D7559M-09

New ASTM Work Items

WK25609 - Standard Practice for the Operation of the Hexapod Drum Tester is a work item revision to existing standard D5252-05

Join Discussion: American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists | LinkedIn

2009-09-03T06:10:00.002+05:30

Visit AATCC Linked in Group
and Join the Discussion: American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists | LinkedIn

Why should manufacturers alone be certified, why are the retailers not opting to get themselves certified for Ethical Business , Wrap, SA 8000 and others

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ASTM STANDARDS UPDATE - New Approved ASTM Standards

2009-09-01T05:52:00.004+05:30

A new copy of the following ASTM standards and Work Items descriptions are available.
New Approved ASTM Standards
D1282 - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Airflow as an Indication of Average Fiber Diameter of Wool Top, Card Sliver, and Scoured Wool has been reapproved, available as D1282-05(2009)
D2255/D2255M - Standard Test Method for Grading Spun Yarns for Appearance has been revised (with designation change) to D2255/D2255M-09
D2256/D2256M - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Yarns by the Single-Strand Method has been revised (with designation change) to D2256/D2256M-09
D3776/D3776M - Standard Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric has been revised (with designation change) to D3776/D3776M-09a
D3786/D3786M - Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile Fabrics—Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method has been revised (with designation change) to D3786/D3786M-09
D5104 - Standard Test Method for Shrinkage of Textile Fibers (Single-Fiber Test) (Withdrawn 2009) has been withdrawn, with no replacement. D5104-02
D6478 - Standard Test Method for Determining Specific Packability of Fabrics Used in Inflatable Restraints has been revised to D6478-09
D6554/D6554M - Standard Performance Specification for 100 % Cotton Denim Fabrics has been revised (with designation change) to D6554/D6554M-09

FTC Business Alert How to Avoid Bamboozling Your Customers – Bamboo is not an accepted Fiber name in USA. Unless you can prove without doubt that the fiber used is bamboo. AATCC and ASTM have no method to identify Bamboo.

2009-08-31T06:10:00.001+05:30

This Post is based on FTC publication on using the term Bamboo as a fiber name

Marketers looking to provide more environmentally friendly choices to consumers may have heard about Bamboo, which has been recognized for its ability to grow quickly with little or no need for pesticides. But when it comes to textile products made from bamboo, that’s not the whole story.

===============================================================================

The truth is, most “Bamboo” textile products, if not all, really are Rayon. Rayon is typically made using environmentally toxic chemicals in a process that emits hazardous pollutants into the air.

While different plants, including bamboo, can be used as a source material to create rayon, there’s no trace of the original plant in the finished rayon product. So in Rayon that is claimed to be made of Bamboo it is not possible to identify if the raw material used was bamboo or not

If you make, advertise or sell bamboo-based textiles, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants you to know that unless a product is made directly with bamboo fiber — often called “mechanically processed bamboo” — it can’t be called bamboo.

Indeed, to advertise or label a product as “bamboo,” you need competent and reliable evidence, such as scientific tests and analyses, to show that it’s made of actual bamboo fiber. Relying on other people’s claims isn’t substantiation. The same standard applies to other claims, like a claim that rayon fibers retain natural antimicrobial properties from the bamboo plant.

If you sell clothing, linens, or other textile products, you’re responsible for making truthful disclosures about the fiber content. If your product isn’t made directly of bamboo fiber — but is a manufactured fiber for which bamboo was the plant source — it should be labeled and advertised using the proper generic name for the fiber, such as rayon, or “rayon made from bamboo provided you have enough material evidence to prove that the rayon was originally made of Bamboo as raw material.

Claiming Bamboo Rayon as ECO friendly , or Green Fiber is also wrong and misleading.

Any claims you make about your textile products have to be true and cannot be misleading. As the seller, you must have substantiation for each and every claim — express and implied — that you make.

Similar Bans on use of Bamboo as a fiber name exists in Canada, and EU.

Be careful , if you are in doubt call us at the ASTM Technical and Service consultant office in India for help textile1@astm.org we can direct you to the right resources. We can only provide assistance for authentic information see below.
================================================================================

For More Information you must contact FTC –Federal Trade commission

For more information on advertising and labeling rayon and other textile products, see Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts. For guidance on making environmental marketing claims, see Complying with the Environmental Marketing Guides. These and other guides for business are at ftc.gov/bcp/business.shtm.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov

The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Violation of Federal Mattress Flammability Standard Prompts Recall of Sofa-bed Mattresses by IKEA – Failure to 16 CFR 1633

2009-08-29T11:01:00.001+05:30

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a Voluntary Recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: IKEA KARLSTAD sofa-beds

Units: About 500

Distributor: IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Hazard: The mattress and seat cushions intended to be used as a mattress fail to meet the mandatory Federal Open Flame Standard for Mattresses 16CFR 1633, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries were reported.

Description: IKEA KARLSTAD sofa-bed frame has article number 801-215-12, supplier number 20789 with date stamps (YYWW) 0845 through 0927 located on a label attached to the underside of the sofa-bed frame. The mattress topper is not affected by this recall.

Sold at: IKEA stores nationwide from November 2008 through July 2009 for about $850.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the mattress and cushions and contact IKEA or visit the Returns and Exchange Department at their local IKEA store to arrange free installation of a replacement mattress and seat cushions.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ikea-usa.com

AAFA Publishes Updated Restricted Substances List Fifth Edition Addresses New Product Safety and Environmental Standards

2009-08-26T06:48:00.001+05:30

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Contact: Scott Elmore
(703)797-9056 Office
Contact AAFA

AAFA Publishes Updated Restricted Substances List Fifth Edition
Arlington, VA – The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) today published the fifth edition of the AAFA Restricted Substances List (RSL), covering apparel, footwear, and home textiles.

The list, which has become the global industry standard for RSLs, together with a growing set of other chemical management tools, can be downloaded for free at the AAFA Web site.

The List as well as the complete document on describing the compilation of the AAFA 5th RSL list can be got from the following web document depositories as well

AAFA RSL 5th Ed https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=2c64d07b-a028-4bfe-8459-46d24aeefc0f

AAFA RSL 5th Ed complete details https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=e5a9f33e-2a3a-497b-96ce-1327136f89d5

“With the recent enforcement of new lead limits on August 14 brought about by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and a positive shift toward environmental stewardship in our industry’s culture, the timing of this new list could not be more perfect.”

“As production methods and government regulations continue to change, and often at varying speeds, the AAFA RSL continues to provide our global industry with the right information to keep us productive, competitive, and compliant,” said AAFA Environmental Committee Chairman John Eapen, Vice President of Environmental, Health & Safety at America & Efird, Inc. “I would like to thank the AAFA Environmental Committee, the members of the RSL Task Force, and our RSL peer review group for their time and significant contributions to update this

Background
The AAFA RSL, first released in the summer of 2007, is the first of its kind. The list covers chemicals and other substances whose presence in a product is restricted through a government regulation or law. The list identifies the most restrictive iteration of that regulation world wide. Every six months, the publication is reviewed, updated, and the latest version is made available
for free on the AAFA Web site.

This fifth release has been updated to reflect changes spurred by the CPSIA, as well as new state
and international regulations. In addition to the global RSL, AAFA continues to offer training sessions and workshops on regulating restricted substances in apparel, footwear, and textile products, as well as on broader product safety, sustainability, and environmental compliance issues.

Lack of Trust between the Manufacturer and the retailer ( Brand owner) in the textile Industry.

2009-08-25T05:40:00.001+05:30

I ask all my colleagues who are part of this Group, some are members and most are non members. Members of this group are also from different parts of the textile Industry complex.

Why does the Retailer / Brand owner mistrust the manufacturer so much that a 3rd party independent lab needs to certify that the products manufactured is suitable for use?.
There are so many faults in the current method of sampling and testing and still several major retailer follow the same mistake

1. The biggest mistake is sampling - 1 sample from a population of any size 500 to 5,000,000 pcs passing the tests in a 3rd party lab is sufficient for the retailer.
1A. Even if the manufacturers offers to sample using scientific an proven methods like the Mil-HDBK-53-1A and the Std MIL-HDBK-737A which means additional samples are tested per population, such offers are literally laughed at dumped into garbage by the retailer. They still want that piece of paper form a 3rd party lab.

2.In a manufacturers lab the number samples tested in a day may be 20 to 50 at best. Limiting the number Staining and Color change assessments to manageable levels.
In 3rd party labs which test in excess of 300 samples a day the number of Grey scale assessments are impossible to conduct .There are 3rd party labs that conduct tests on 850 samples a day. Is it practically possible for this many samples to assessed for 4 or 5 Color fastness tests using the Grey scale ?

3. Some retailer accept to allow manufacturers to certify their own products, but after an audit by an independent body, and who constitutes this body ? The same 3rd party lab who will lose business if they accredit any manufacturers lab. Will vested interest no play a role here or not ?

4. The very fact that a Buyer does not trust their seller tells a lot about business relationships in textile business . In any business trust and confidence is the first parameter that gets the business started. In textiles trust and confidence is to be certified by a 3rd party.

Having been in this industry for over 17 years , I find this need for a outside entity, that plays such an important role in certifying a product based on unscientific sampling methods more humorous , than anything else.

Perhaps I am wrong, I would love to hear the comments of a Retailer a 3rd party lab on why a 3rd party lab is needed between the buyer and seller.

On another day I will write about certifications like Gots, Oekotex 100 etc.

CSPSIA News List of Textiles Exempt from Lead Testing Requirement to be issued very soon

2009-08-22T06:32:00.001+05:30

Madras –India Aug 22 2009 – News from CPSC on the New CPSIA Regulation . Based on the original notice issued by CPSC.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission approved a list of products, including textiles, that are exempt from lead testing for children’s products under the Consumer Product Safety Improvements Act of 2008 (CPSIA).

The Commission declared that the following items do not exceed the lead limits in section 101(a) of the CPSIA and therefore are not required to be tested provided the products have not specifically been treated with lead-containing materials.

Included in this list are:
Textiles (excluding after treatment applications such as screen prints, transfers, decals, or other prints) consisting of:
(a) Natural fibers (dyed or un-dyed) including, but not limited to

Plant Based cotton : Kapok, Flax or Linen , Jute, Ramie, Hemp, Kenaf, Bamboo in Fiber form not as Rayon , Coir, Sisal,

Animal Origin ( including Insects): Silk, Wool (sheep), Alpaca, llama, Goat (Mohair, Cashmere), Rabbit (Angora), Camel, Horse, Yak, Vicuna, Qiviut, Guanaco.

(b) Manufactured fibers ( Synthetic) (dyes or un-dyed) including, but not limited to Rayon, Azlon, Lyocell, Acetate, Triacetate, Rubber, Polyester, Olefin, Nylon ( Polyamide, botn 6.0 and 6.6) ,Acrylic, Modacrylic, Aramid, Spandex ( Elasthane).

This means by far all most all textiles are exempt for testing for lead with the clause that it has not been subjected to any process that may introduce lead to the product

CPSC also stated that the determination that these products do not contain lead does not relieve the manufacturer from testing if products or materials are altered or modified to exceed the lead limits, or if there’s reason to expect the lead limit is exceeded.

Other components of apparel manufacturing such as buttons, slide fasteners and hooks are not exempt from testing under this final rule which is expected to be published in the Federal Register soon.

New test method on Moisture Management TM 195-2009 Now Available from AATCC

2009-08-19T06:38:00.001+05:30

AATCC Test Method (TM) 195-2009, Liquid Moisture Management Properties of Textile Fabrics, is now available from AATCC. AATCC Research Committee RA63, Water Resistance, Absorbency and Wetting Agent Evaluation Test Methods, developed this standardized method for the measurement, evaluation, and classification of liquid moisture management properties of textile fabrics.

The test method is available for immediate purchase as a download only. It will be featured in the 2010 Technical manual

Individual AATCC Test methods in PDF format can be bought and downloaded from the AATCC website. http://www.aatcc.org/testing/tm_main/index.htm

If you have any questions please contact assist@aatcc.org

Important ASTM Standard Updated

2009-08-18T06:57:00.001+05:30

New Approved ASTM Standards

D1776 - Standard Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles has been editorially changed, available as D1776-08e1

ASTM Virtual Officers' Training Week 2009

2009-08-16T07:23:00.001+05:30

Are you an ASTM International Member ? Then please make time to attend the 2009 Virtual Officers Training Week 2009

ASTM International is pleased to announce Virtual Officers’ Training Week 2009. ASTM staff will be conducting Officers’ training modules online from September 21 – 24, 2009. For more details, please contact Joe Koury

Training Sessions

More information from http://www.astm.org/TRAIN/virt_officers_index.html#ASTMOnline

Please circulate this news to members of ASTM whom your are aware of.

FTC Answers Frequently Asked Questions about Care Labels

2009-08-15T04:18:00.001+05:30

These F.A.Q are from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission

Label Location
Q. May care instructions be put on the back of another permanent label sewn into the garment?
A. If only one end of a permanent label is sewn into the garment and the front and back of the label are readily accessible to the consumer, care information may appear on the reverse side. The front of the label doesn't have to say "Care on reverse."
Q. Does each piece of an ensemble, suit or other multi-piece garment need a care label?
A. A garment that consists of two or more parts and is always sold as a unit needs only one care label if the care instructions are the same for all the pieces. The label should be attached to the major piece of the suit. If the suit pieces require different care instructions or are designed to be sold separately, like coordinates, then each item must have its own care label.
Q. May I print care instructions directly on the product?
A. Yes, if the instructions meet the Rule's requirements of permanence and legibility.
Q. May I print care instructions on the "fiber content" label?
A. Yes, if the instructions meet the Rule's requirements of permanence and legibility.

Label Content
Q. What's the minimum washing instruction that can appear on a care label?
A. At a minimum, a washing instruction would include a method of washing and a method of drying, like "Machine wash. Tumble dry." This minimal wording, however, means that the product can be machine washed and tumble dried at any temperature, that ironing isn't necessary, that any type of bleach can be used, and that no warnings are required. Thus, all elements of a proper washing instruction would have to be considered - washing, drying, ironing, bleaching and warnings.
Q. Generally, when wash-and-wear garments are removed promptly from the dryer, they don't need ironing. But if the garments aren't removed promptly, they will wrinkle and require some pressing with a cool iron. Must a care instruction say something about this?
A. Yes. The Rule requires ironing instructions if ironing is needed on a regular basis to preserve the appearance of the product or as a special warning when a consumer can be expected to use an iron and using a hot iron would harm the product. In these cases, it is reasonable to expect some consumers to use an iron. Therefore, the instruction could read "Cool iron, if needed." This indicates that ironing is not always needed, but if an iron is used, it should be set at the lowest temperature setting.
Q. Is it proper if the bleach portion of a washing instruction says, "Do not use chlorine bleach"?
A. No. A care label that contains only the words "Do not use chlorine bleach" is unacceptable. If using chlorine bleach on a regular basis would harm the product, but using non-chlorine bleach on a regular basis would not, the label must say, "Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed." This instruction is designed to warn consumers that chlorine bleach is not safe, but non-chlorine bleach is safe for regular use. For more clarity, the care label may say "Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed. Do not use chlorine bleach."
Q. Would a care label that says "Wash in warm water. Block to dry. Do not use bleach" be permitted under the Rule?
A. No. This instruction is not complete, even if no other warnings are required and ironing is not necessary. The Rule requires washing instructions to state whether the products should be washed by hand or machine.
Q. Must a care instruction take into consideration such things as linings, trim, buttons or zippers?
A. Yes. Care instructions must include all components of the product, including non-detachable linings, trim and other details. Any special considerations for such components should be contained in the instruction as a warning, for example, "Remove trim," or "Close zipper." A detachable component, such as a slip out liner, must be separately labeled when it requires a different care procedure than the main product.
Q. When may "Dryclean only" be used?
A. "Dryclean only" may be used when the garment can be safely drycleaned by the normal process, using any drycleaning solvent. The instruction indicates that the garment can't be safely washed. When "Dryclean only" is used, there must be a reasonable basis for both the drycleaning instruction and the warning against washing.
Q. Is the single word "Dryclean" a sufficient care instruction?
A. Yes. While a drycleaning instruction generally must include a type of solvent that can be used safely (say, perchlorethylene or petroleum), if any type of commercially available solvent can be used, it is not necessary to name a type of solvent that can be used. A care instruction with only the word "Dryclean" means that any solvent may be used safely in a process that includes machine cleaning, moisture addition to solvent of up to 75% relative humidity, hot tumble drying up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and restoration by steam press or steam-air finishing.
Q. When should "Professionally dryclean" be used?
A. "Professionally dryclean" should be used when the normal drycleaning process must be modified to safely dryclean the product. However, by itself, "Professionally dryclean" is not an adequate instruction. It must be accompanied by the modification(s) necessary to make the drycleaning process safe. For example, "Professionally dryclean, reduce moisture, short cycle, tumble warm, no steam" would mean that any commercially available solvent could be used, the moisture addition to the solvent should be reduced, the cleaning time should be reduced, the warm setting should be used for tumble drying, and steam should not be used in pressing or finishing.

Care Symbols
Q. Must I use symbols?
A. No. Symbols are optional as long as there are care instructions on the label. If you choose, however, you may use symbols without words, but, if you do, you might want to include information about the meaning of the symbols (for example, on a hangtag or in your catalogue) to be sure your customers understand them.
Q. May I use the system of symbols used in Europe and designated as an international standard by the International Standards Organization (ISO)?
A. No. The symbols you use must be those developed by the ASTM and designated as ASTM Standard D5489-96c. The system used in Europe does not provide symbols for all the information required by the Care Labeling Rule.

Labeling Piece Goods
Q. What does "certain piece goods" mean?
A. Under the Rule, certain piece goods are fabrics sold at retail on a piece-by-piece basis from bolts, pieces or rolls for use in home sewing of textile wearing apparel. The term "fabric" means any material woven, knitted, felted, or otherwise produced from, or in combination with, any natural or manufactured fiber, yarn or substitute.
Two categories of piece goods are excluded from the Rule:
Trim up to 5 inches wide, such as ribbon, lace, rick-rack, tape, belting, binding, or braid; and
Manufacturer's remnants up to 10 yards long when the remnants are clearly and conspicuously marked as "pound goods" or "fabric of undetermined origin," and the fiber content of the remnants is unknown and can't be readily determined. If the remnant's fiber content is known, it's not excluded. Remnants created at the retail level, or by the manufacturer at the request of the retailer, are not excluded either.
Q. Manufacturers and importers must put care information for piece goods "on the end of each bolt or roll." Is there any specific location for this information?
A. Care information may be placed on the selvage of the material, on the end of the "board" on which the goods are wound, on a tag attached to the selvage or the "board end," or on any other position at the end of the roll where the information can be found easily and read by a consumer. If a tag is used, it should be attached so that it will not separate from the bolt until the last piece is sold.

Exemptions to the Rule
Q. The Rule exempts products sold to institutional buyers for commercial use. Does this include rental service companies?
A. Yes. Other institutional buyers include: hospitals; nursing homes; colleges and universities; local, state, and federal institutions; hotels; motels; and other bulk purchasers of uniforms and employee work clothes.
Q. Is there any exemption that applies to a whole product line?
A. The only product line exemption applies to hosiery, including stockings, anklets, waist-high tights, panty hose, and leg warmers. While hosiery items don't need a permanent care label, they must have care instructions on a hang tag, on the package, or in another conspicuous place. This includes sheer hosiery (50 denier or less). However, hosiery that retails for $3 or less and can be washed and dried at hot settings without damage doesn't need a label.

Drycleaners
Q. Must a drycleaner clean a garment according to the instructions on the care label?
A. No, but using a care method not specified on a care label may be risky. Clothing labeled as washable may - or may not - dryclean satisfactorily. Many local drycleaners have facilities for properly washing and finishing washable garments, but customers who request a method of cleaning not listed on the care label may be asked to sign a consent form. The form explains that the drycleaner and the customer have discussed the potential risks of cleaning the garment. With or without the consent form, when drycleaners accept garments for cleaning, they are obligated to clean garments professionally, to the best of their ability.

"Professionally Wetclean"
Q. Does a care label that states "Professionally wetclean" comply with the Care Labeling Rule?
A. No. The subject was of considerable interest during the amendment proceedings, and is discussed at length in the Care Labeling Rule Statement of Basis and Purpose, published in the Federal Register on August 2, 2000, and available in the Care Labeling section on the Textile, Wool, Fur and Apparel page on www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/textilejump.htm.
Here's a brief explanation of the Commission's reasons for not allowing a "Professionally wetclean" instruction now:
The Commission believes that a final definition of "professional wetcleaning" and an appropriate test method for the process must be developed before the Commission can amend the Rule to permit a "Professionally wetclean" instruction on required care labels. This is necessary in order to give manufacturers clear guidance as to how they may establish a reasonable basis for a wetclean instruction. Currently, manufacturers can test garments for drycleaning by having them drycleaned in perchloroethylene or another commercially available drycleaning solvent. They can test for home washing by laundering them at various water temperatures. In order to have a reasonable basis for a "Professionally wetclean" instruction, manufacturers would need to be able to subject the garments to such a cleaning method. In this case, however, the "method" may encompass many different processes, and the one chosen would depend in large part on the particular cleaner. In recommending a particular cleaning method, manufacturers must have assurance that the method they are recommending - and for which they have established a reasonable basis - is the same method that cleaners actually would use to clean the garment labeled for that method. For this reason, a definition of "professional wetcleaning," for purposes of amending the Care Labeling Rule, must either describe all important variables in the process, so that manufacturers could determine that their garments would not be damaged by the process, or be coupled with a specific test procedure that manufacturers could use to establish a reasonable basis.
In short, the Commission concluded "that some level of standardization is necessary before a 'Professionally wetclean' instruction can be placed on garments that are to be sold throughout the entire country." The Commission noted, however, that it was "encouraged by the fact that, during the year since the workshop took place, standards-setting organizations and other interested participants in this proceeding appear to have been working independently to resolve these outstanding issues."

CPSC to Enforce New CPSIA Requirements for Children’s Products Effective August 14

2009-08-14T10:21:00.001+05:30

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On August 14, 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) will take effect that are aimed at making children’s products safer and increasing consumer confidence in the marketplace. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is educating domestic and overseas manufacturers, importers, and distributors of children’s products and other consumer goods of these important new safety requirements.

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said the CPSIA’s new requirements will help protect families and she urged businesses to comply. “I will ensure that these requirements are enforced vigorously and fairly,” said Tenenbaum. “By ensuring that toys and other children’s products meet strict lead limits and can be tracked in the event of a recall, I believe children will be better protected in their homes.”

The requirements that become effective on August 14 include:

Lead Content The limit for lead in children’s products drops from 600 parts per million (ppm) to 300 ppm. After August 14, it will be unlawful to manufacture, import, sell, or offer for sale, a children’s product that has more than 300 ppm of lead in any part (except electronics) that is accessible to children.
Lead in Paint and Similar Surface Coating Materials The limit for lead in paint and similar surface-coating materials for consumer use drops from 600 ppm to 90 ppm. The lead paint limits also apply to toys and other articles intended for children as well as certain furniture products. Products subject to these limits cannot be sold, offered for sale, imported or manufactured after August 14 unless they meet the new lower lead limits.
Civil Penalties Civil penalties increase substantially to a maximum of $100,000 per violation and up to a maximum of $15 million for a related series of violations. Previously, civil penalties were a maximum of $8,000 per violation and up to a maximum of $1.825 million for a related series of violations.
Tracking Labels Manufacturers must place permanent distinguishing marks (tracking label) on any consumer product primarily intended for children 12 and younger made on or after August 14, 2009. The permanent marks must enable consumers to ascertain basic information, including the manufacturer or private labeler, location, the date of manufacture, and more detailed information on the manufacturing process such as a batch or run number. The permanent distinguishing marks must appear on the product itself and its packaging to the extent practicable. Learn more about the tracking label requirement at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103.html#faqs
Catalog Advertising Advertising for certain toys and games intended for use by children from three to six years old must have warnings regarding potential choking hazards to children younger than three. The requirement to include warnings in Internet advertisements went into effect on December 12, 2008. There was a grace period for the requirement for catalogues and other printed materials, but this grace period expired August 9, 2009. All catalogues and other printed materials distributed on or after August 9, 2009, regardless of when they were printed, must include the appropriate warnings.

Visit CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html for more information about the agency’s successful implementation of the CPSIA.

David’s Funeral

2009-08-04T06:30:00.003+05:30

The funeral service and committal will take place on Friday 7th August at 12.45p.m (UK time GMT -1 ) at:-

East Lancashire Crematorium
Cemetery Road,
Radcliffe, Bury,
M26 4EU,United Kingdom

E-mail dtpjane@yahoo.co.uk
Contact David’s wife Mrs. Eileen Parkes
Tel +44 (0)1706 824842

DO YOU DO BUSINESS WITH USA

2009-07-31T05:09:00.003+05:30

Are you from ASIA and do you do business with USA ?

Below are important weblinks that contain a wealth of information of facilities the US Government provides you.

If you are from India follow this web link http://www.buyusa.gov/india/en/

Businesses from other Asian countries the link for you is http://www.buyusa.gov/asianow/

Please visit this site and browse through. If you think AATCC or ASTM International can help you further let us know.

Antidumping Petition on Chinese Electric Blankets being considered by USA

2009-07-28T06:01:00.001+05:30

On June 30, 2009, the Department of Commerce USA , received an antidumping duty petition concerning imports of certain woven electric blankets from the People's Republic of China (``PRC'') filed in proper form by Jarden Consumer Solutions .

In accordance with section 732(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended , Petitioner alleges that imports of woven electric blankets from the PRC are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value, within the meaning of section 731 of the Act, and that such imports materially injure, and threaten further material injury to, an industry in the United States.

CPSC – News on CPSIA Policy Statement on Tracking Labels Published

2009-07-28T05:58:00.001+05:30

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently published a “Statement of Policy: Interpretation and Enforcement of Section 103(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act” and a copy is at: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103policy.pdf.

This “Tracking Labels for Children’s Products” requirement affects labeling of finished items and, under certain circumstances, the packaging of the items. The new requirement under the CPSIA of 2008 becomes effective on August 14, 2009