Overview
EN ISO 105‑E04:2013 - Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part E04: Colour fastness to perspiration specifies a laboratory method to determine the resistance of textile colour to the action of human perspiration. Published by CEN and identical to ISO 105‑E04:2013, this standard defines specimen preparation, test solutions, apparatus, test conditions and assessment procedures for measuring change in colour and staining caused by acidic and alkaline perspiration solutions.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Tests textiles of all kinds and in all forms for colour fastness to perspiration.
- Test principle: Composite specimens (test fabric + adjacent fabric) are soaked in acid (pH 5.5) and alkaline (pH 8.0) perspiration solutions containing l‑histidine, sodium chloride and phosphates, then pressed under a defined pressure, dried and assessed.
- Apparatus & conditions:
- Specimen size: (40 ± 2) mm × (100 ± 2) mm.
- Nominal pressure: (12.5 ± 0.9) kPa applied by a stainless steel weight-piece.
- Oven temperature: (37 ± 2) °C, test duration 4 h.
- Solutions: Freshly prepared acid and alkaline solutions using grade 3 water (ISO 3696), histidine, NaCl and specified phosphate salts; pH adjusted with 0.1 mol/L NaOH.
- Adjacent fabrics: Use a multifibre adjacent fabric (ISO 105‑F10) or two single-fibre adjacent fabrics (ISO 105‑F01–F06). One adjacent fabric should match the fibre type of the tested textile; Table 1 in the standard lists recommended second-piece fibres (e.g., if first is cotton → second wool).
- Assessment: Change in colour and staining are rated using grey scales (ISO 105‑A02 / A03) or instrumentally (ISO 105‑A04 / A05). Reporting must include numerical grey scale ratings and identification of adjacent fabrics used.
Applications and practical value
- Assessing colour fastness to perspiration is critical for apparel, sportswear, workwear, medical textiles and upholstery where contact with human sweat may cause dye transfer or colour change.
- Results guide dye selection, finishing processes, quality control and product specifications to reduce customer complaints about staining or fading.
- Test data support product labelling, supplier contracts and comparative performance claims (e.g., “sweat‑fastness grades”).
Who uses this standard
- Textile and apparel manufacturers, dye houses and fabric finishers
- Independent textile testing laboratories and QA departments
- Retailers, specifiers and product compliance teams assessing garment durability
Related standards
- ISO 105 series: ISO 105‑A01 (general principles), A02 (grey scale for change), A03 (grey scale for staining), A04/A05 (instrumental assessment)
- ISO 105‑F01 to F06 (single‑fibre adjacent fabrics), ISO 105‑F10 (multifibre adjacent fabric)
- ISO 3696 (water for analytical laboratory use)
Keywords: colour fastness to perspiration, EN ISO 105‑E04:2013, textile testing, perspiration testing, grey scale, adjacent fabric, ISO 105.