Overview
ISO 11861:1999, "Textile floor coverings - Coir mats - Types and specification", defines requirements for mats produced from coir fibre (extracted from the coconut Cocos nucifera), with or without pile. The standard classifies types of coir mats, sets construction and dimensional tolerances, specifies marking requirements, and includes a normative Annex A describing test methods for key properties. ISO 11861 is intended to ensure consistent quality, interoperability, and clear product information for coir floor coverings.
Key topics and requirements
- Types of coir mats: bit mat, corridor mat, creel mat, fibre mat, gymnasia mat, loop mat, mesh mat, rod mat, rope (lover’s knot) mat, and sinnet mat - defined by construction and pile formation.
- Constructional particulars: number of ends and picks per decimetre, pile height (for pile mats), dimensions and mass (g/m²) are to be agreed between purchaser and supplier.
- Tolerances (as specified by Table 1):
- Number of ends per dm: nominal ±1 (see Annex A.1)
- Number of picks per dm: nominal value with agreed tolerance
- Pile height (pile mats): nominal ± 3 mm
- Dimensions: nominal ± 10 mm
- Mass: nominal ± 5 %
- Marking: mats or attached labels must show ISO number and year (ISO 11861:1999), mat type, dimensions, ends and picks per decimetre, pile height (mm), and mass (g/m²).
- Testing methods (Annex A, normative):
- Determination of ends and picks per decimetre (referencing ISO 7211-2 and ISO 1763 for non-pile mats)
- Determination of mass in g/m² (referencing ISO 8543 or weighing the whole mat and measuring dimensions per ISO 3018)
Applications and who uses it
ISO 11861 is relevant for:
- Coir mat manufacturers - to design, produce and declare products that meet agreed quality and dimensional tolerances.
- Purchasers, importers and distributors - to specify requirements in contracts and ensure supplier compliance.
- Quality control and testing laboratories - to carry out standardized measurements for mass, pile height and thread count.
- Architects, specifiers and interior designers - to select coir mats with predictable properties for commercial and residential flooring, entrance matting, and heavy-traffic areas.
- Procurement and compliance teams - to label and document products for traceability and regulatory or trade requirements.
Related standards
ISO 11861 references and aligns with several textile and floor-covering test standards, including:
By following ISO 11861, stakeholders achieve consistent specification, testing and labelling of coir mats, improving product quality, comparability, and market transparency. Keywords: ISO 11861, coir mats, textile floor coverings, coir fibre, pile height, mass g/m2, ends and picks per decimetre.