Overview
EN ISO 6938:2014 (ISO 6938:2012) defines generic names and definitions for natural fibres used in textiles. The standard classifies the most important natural fibres by their origin and constitution (animal, vegetable, mineral), provides precise generic names and short definitions, and includes an alphabetical list that maps common names to the standardized denominations and corresponding index numbers. EN ISO 6938:2014 is the CEN-adopted version of ISO 6938 and is available in English, French and German.
Key topics
- Scope and purpose
- Establishes uniform fibre generic names and definitions for natural fibres used in textile commerce and technical documentation.
- Types of fibres covered
- Animal fibres: silk (including types such as tasar, muga, eri), byssus (mollusc-origin fibres), and hair-fibres (wool, alpaca, cashmere, mohair, yak, etc.).
- Vegetable fibres: seed fibres (cotton, kapok), bast fibres (hemp, flax, jute, ramie, kenaf), leaf fibres (abaca, sisal, pineapple leaf) and fruit fibres (coir).
- Mineral fibres: fibrous natural silicates (e.g., asbestos - noted as a mineral fibre).
- Deliverables
- Concise definitions tied to botanical or zoological origin and an alphabetical list of common names with their equivalent standardized generic names and index numbers for unambiguous identification.
- Terminology consistency
- Includes equivalent names in other languages (French equivalents shown) to support international use and harmonized labelling.
Applications
- Ensures consistent product labelling and declarations (e.g., fibre content on garments and home textiles).
- Supports procurement specifications, fibre trading and commercial contracts by using standardized denominations.
- Aids test laboratories and quality control teams in classifying samples and reporting results consistently.
- Used by designers, manufacturers and supply-chain managers to communicate fibre composition and origin unambiguously.
- Useful for regulatory bodies and standards organizations to align national labelling rules and textile vocabularies.
Who uses this standard?
- Textile manufacturers and brands
- Fibre and raw-material suppliers
- Testing and certification laboratories
- Standardization committees (ISO/TC 38) and national standards bodies
- Regulators and customs authorities involved in product classification
Related standards
- EN ISO 6938:2014 is the CEN adoption of ISO 6938:2012 and supersedes earlier editions (ISO 6938:1984). For broader textile vocabulary and testing practice, consult additional ISO textile standards developed under ISO/TC 38.
Keywords: ISO 6938, EN ISO 6938:2014, natural fibres, textile standards, generic names, fibre definitions, cotton, wool, silk, jute, hemp, ramie, sisal, coir.