Overview
EN ISO 105-C10:2007 establishes standardized methods for evaluating the colour fastness of textiles to washing with soap or soap and soda. Issued by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), this standard (aligned with ISO 105-C10:2006) specifies five test procedures, varying from mild to severe, designed to assess the resistance of textile colours during washing cycles typical of normal household articles. It is applicable to textiles of all kinds and in any form, including fabrics, yarns, and loose fibres. Importantly, this standard focuses solely on the effect of washing on colour fastness and does not replicate comprehensive laundering performance.
Key Topics
- Colour Fastness to Washing: The standard details assessment procedures to determine how well dyed or printed textiles retain their colour after washing with specific soap or soap-and-soda solutions.
- Five Test Methods: Methods range from low to high severity, representing different household washing conditions, including temperature and addition of sodium carbonate.
- Assessment Techniques: Colour change in textiles and staining of adjacent fabrics are evaluated using grey scales or instrumental methods following standardized protocols.
- Applicable Materials: Covers all textile types and forms, such as cotton, wool, silk, synthetics, and blends.
- Testing Conditions: Parameters like washing temperatures (e.g., 40 °C, 60 °C, 95 °C), agitation, and use of multifibre or single-fibre adjacent fabrics are strictly specified.
Applications
The practical value of EN ISO 105-C10:2007 is significant across textile production, quality assurance, and consumer protection:
- Textile Manufacturers: Ensures products meet required colour fastness benchmarks, supporting claims of wash durability and product longevity.
- Retailers and Brands: Facilitates supply chain quality control, helps in product differentiation, and supports consumer confidence by meeting recognized European and international standards.
- Testing Laboratories: Provides prescribed, reproducible methods to assess and compare colour fastness across a range of textile goods.
- Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with EN ISO 105-C10:2007 is often mandated in national and international procurement, safeguarding end users against premature colour fading or transfer during washing.
Typical test scenarios include evaluating dyed apparel, towels, linens, upholstery fabrics, and yarns for resistance to colour changes and transfer when washed with household soap or soap with soda under set conditions. This standard thus plays a key role in textile certification, internal product development, and resolving supplier-buyer disputes regarding colour durability.
Related Standards
EN ISO 105-C10:2007 aligns with and references several important standards, ensuring measurement consistency and reliability in colour fastness testing:
- ISO 105-A01: General principles of testing for colour fastness.
- ISO 105-A02/A03: Grey scales for assessing changes in colour and staining.
- ISO 105-F Series: Specifications for standard adjacent fabrics (cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, etc.).
- ISO 105-J01/J03: Instrumental assessment methods and calculation of colour differences.
- ISO 3696: Specification for water used in analytical laboratory tests.
For tests involving other detergents or simulating different laundering conditions, consider ISO 105-C08 (colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering with a non-phosphate detergent).
Keywords: EN ISO 105-C10, textiles, colour fastness, washing, soap, soda, textile testing standards, CEN, ISO 105, textile quality, household laundry, dye fastness, fabric testing, colour stability, adjacent fabrics, European standard.