Overview
EN ISO 105-B02:2014 - Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part B02: Colour fastness to artificial light: Xenon arc fading lamp test (ISO 105‑B02:2014) - specifies a laboratory method to determine the effect of an artificial light source representative of natural daylight (D65) on the colour of textiles. The method is applicable to all textile types and forms, including white (bleached or optically brightened) textiles. The test uses controlled xenon‑arc exposure together with reference materials to assess colour change.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: Expose specimens and reference materials simultaneously to a xenon arc light source that simulates daylight (D65) and compare colour change against blue wool references.
- Reference materials: Two alternative blue wool reference sets are allowed:
- Numerical set 1–8 (commonly used in Europe)
- Lettered set L2–L9 (commonly used in America)
Results from the two sets are not interchangeable.
- Apparatus and conditions:
- Requirements for xenon arc exposure devices (see normative Annex A).
- Control of effective humidity, chamber temperature and irradiance uniformity.
- Use of a humidity‑test control fabric to validate moisture/temperature effects.
- Assessment and reporting:
- Colour change is assessed by comparison with the reference blue wool materials (and grey scale or instrumental methods per ISO 105‑A02 / A05).
- Test report must include specimen identification, exposure conditions, reference set used and observations.
- Supportive information: Annexes provide irradiance uniformity procedures (B), exposure equivalents for blue wool references (C), general guidance (D) and testing guidelines (E).
Practical applications and users
- Textile manufacturers and dye producers for product development and quality control.
- Laboratory testing services and certification bodies verifying lightfastness claims.
- Apparel, home textiles, upholstery and technical textile companies assessing colour durability under simulated daylight.
- R&D teams investigating dye stability, finishing effects (e.g., optical brighteners) and comparative performance of colourants.
- Procurement and compliance specialists requiring standardized lightfastness data for specifications.
Related standards (selected)
- ISO 105‑A01 - General principles of testing (colour fastness)
- ISO 105‑A02 / A05 - Grey scale and instrumental assessment methods
- ISO 105‑B01 - Colour fastness to daylight
- ISO 105‑B08 - Quality control of blue wool reference materials
EN ISO 105‑B02:2014 is essential when you need consistent, reproducible laboratory simulation of daylight exposure (xenon arc) to evaluate textile colour stability and to support product claims and compliance.