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ISO 105-A01:2010 — Textiles — Tests for Colour Fastness: General Principles of Testing
Foundational protocol for colour fastness evaluation in textile testing laboratories
Scope and Introduction
ISO 105-A01:2010, titled Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A01: General principles of testing, serves as the foundational document for the entire ISO 105 series on colour fastness. It specifies the general principles that apply to all colour fastness tests for textile materials, including natural and man-made fibres, yarns, and fabrics. The standard is intended for use by textile testing laboratories, quality control departments, and any organisation involved in evaluating colour durability under various environmental and chemical exposures.
This standard defines the essential requirements for test specimens, adjacent fabrics, grey scales for assessing colour change and staining, the conditioning atmosphere, and the test report format. By harmonising these common elements, the standard ensures that results obtained from different methods within the series are consistent and comparable worldwide.
Technical Requirements and Methodology
Essential Conditions for Colour Fastness Testing
ISO 105-A01:2010 outlines the mandatory conditions that must be met for any colour fastness test carried out in accordance with the ISO 105 series. These include:
- Test specimen size: In principle, the specimen should be large enough to permit a representative assessment. The standard specifies minimum dimensions (e.g., 40 mm × 100 mm for most tests) but notes that exact dimensions are given in the relevant test method.
- Adjacent fabrics: The standard defines the multifibre adjacent fabric (reference ISO 105-F10) that should be used for staining assessment in most tests.
- Assessment of colour change: Must be carried out using the grey scale specified in ISO 105-A02, unless the method calls for instrumental evaluation.
- Assessment of staining: The grey scale per ISO 105-A03 is the reference.
- Conditioning and testing atmosphere: Standard conditions (20 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 4 % RH) as per ISO 139 for temperate zones, with alternative tropical conditions provided.
Apparatus and Materials
The following table summarises the key apparatus and materials referenced in ISO 105-A01:2010 and required across the series.
| Apparatus / Material | Reference Standard | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Grey scale for assessing change in colour | ISO 105-A02 | Rating colour change of the specimen from 1 (severe) to 5 (unchanged) |
| Grey scale for assessing staining | ISO 105-A03 | Rating staining on adjacent fabric from 1 (severe) to 5 (no staining) |
| Multifibre adjacent fabric (DW / TV) | ISO 105-F10 | Provides multiple fibre types for simultaneous staining evaluation |
| Standard light source (e.g., xenon-arc) | ISO 105-B02 / B04 | Simulated daylight for light fastness tests |
| Washing / laundering apparatus | ISO 105-C06 / C08 | Apparatus for domestic and commercial washing tests |
| Standard atmosphere for conditioning | ISO 139 | Humidity and temperature control for specimen preparation and assessment |
All apparatus must comply with the specifications given in their respective standards and must be maintained and calibrated as per the laboratory’s quality system.
Test Specimen Preparation
The general principles require that the specimen be cut from a representative sample of the textile, avoiding creases, stains, or distortions. If the material contains several colours, each colour must be tested separately. The specimen is conditioned in the standard atmosphere for at least 24 hours prior to testing, unless otherwise stated in the specific method.
Assessment and Rating
After the test, the specimen and any adjacent fabrics are dried and conditioned before assessment. The colour change of the specimen is rated by comparing it with the grey scale for colour change (ISO 105-A02), using a numerical grade. For staining, the grey scale for staining (ISO 105-A03) is used. The assessment must be performed under standardised viewing conditions: a neutral grey background, light source (D65), and 45/0 geometry. Instrumental evaluation is permitted as an alternative but must be correlated with grey scale ratings.
Implementation Highlights
Tip: When preparing specimens for multiple tests, always label each specimen clearly with a soft marker that does not affect colour fastness. Use a conditioning rack that allows free air circulation around all specimens.
Best Practice: Adhering strictly to the general principles of ISO 105-A01:2010 ensures that colour fastness results generated in different laboratories are reproducible and internationally comparable, saving time and reducing disputes between suppliers and buyers.
Caution: Grey scales are consumable reference standards. They can fade or become soiled over time. Verify grey scales regularly using a spectrophotometer and replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule (typically every 12–24 months).
Implementing ISO 105-A01:2010 in a laboratory requires careful attention to the following:
- Training: Operators must be trained in both the visual assessment technique and proper use of grey scales to minimise inter‑operator variability.
- Light cabinet: The light cabinet used for assessment must meet the specifications of ISO 105-A01 (e.g., colour temperature 6500 K, avoidance of extraneous light).
- Reference materials: Use certified reference materials to validate the performance of the test method regularly.
- Specific methods: Always consult the specific colour fastness test method (e.g., ISO 105-B02, ISO 105-C06) for supplementary requirements such as test duration, temperature, or chemical concentration.
Compliance and Certification Notes
While ISO 105-A01:2010 is not a standard for product certification on its own, it is the cornerstone of all colour fastness testing within the ISO framework. Laboratories seeking accreditation to ISO 17025 (general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories) can use the standard as a reference to demonstrate that their colour fastness tests follow internationally recognised general principles.
Common Pitfall: An error often made is using the same specimen for more than one colour fastness test (e.g., first a wash test, then a light fastness test). This is not permissible unless specifically stated in a combined test method. Each property must be assessed on separate, untested specimens.
Organisations that produce test reports referencing ISO 105-A01 must ensure that the report includes, as a minimum: the standard identifier and year, a description of the sample, the specific test method used, the rating obtained, any deviation from the standard, and the date of the test. Many global retailers and manufacturers mandate compliance with ISO 105 colour fastness methods, and adherence to ISO 105-A01 is implicit.
For countries outside Europe, the standard is often adopted as a national standard (e.g., BS, DIN, NF). It is also the basis for the OEKO‑TEX® Standard 100 colour fastness requirements and many other eco‑labels. Therefore, understanding and correctly applying ISO 105-A01:2010 is essential for any laboratory performing colour fastness tests for international trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is ISO 105-A01:2010 a standalone test method?
A: No, it is a framework standard that sets out the general principles for all specific colour fastness test methods in the ISO 105 series. Alone, it cannot determine colour fastness; it must be used in conjunction with a specific method (e.g., ISO 105-B02 for light fastness or ISO 105-C06 for washing fastness).
A: No, it is a framework standard that sets out the general principles for all specific colour fastness test methods in the ISO 105 series. Alone, it cannot determine colour fastness; it must be used in conjunction with a specific method (e.g., ISO 105-B02 for light fastness or ISO 105-C06 for washing fastness).
Q: How does the ISO 105-A01 approach differ from AATCC test methods?
A: While both systems assess colour change and staining, the ISO system uses specific grey scales (ISO 105-A02 and A03) that differ from the AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale. Additionally, the conditioning humidity, light source specifications, and multifibre adjacent fabric types are distinct. Laboratories serving international clients should be familiar with both systems and note that results between the two are not directly interchangeable.
A: While both systems assess colour change and staining, the ISO system uses specific grey scales (ISO 105-A02 and A03) that differ from the AATCC Chromatic Transference Scale. Additionally, the conditioning humidity, light source specifications, and multifibre adjacent fabric types are distinct. Laboratories serving international clients should be familiar with both systems and note that results between the two are not directly interchangeable.
Q: Must my laboratory be accredited to ISO 17025 to use ISO 105-A01?
A: Accreditation is not a requirement of the standard itself. However, many organisations require test reports from ISO 17025‑accredited laboratories to prove competence and traceability. Adoption of ISO 105-A01:2010 is often a prerequisite within the quality management system of a textile laboratory.
A: Accreditation is not a requirement of the standard itself. However, many organisations require test reports from ISO 17025‑accredited laboratories to prove competence and traceability. Adoption of ISO 105-A01:2010 is often a prerequisite within the quality management system of a textile laboratory.
Q: Can colour fastness ratings be determined instrumentally instead of visually?
A: Yes, ISO 105-A01:2010 permits instrumental evaluation as an alternative to visual assessment, provided that the instrument is calibrated and the results correlate with the grey scale ratings. Instrumental methods can improve objectivity and repeatability, but the correlation must be established and documented.
A: Yes, ISO 105-A01:2010 permits instrumental evaluation as an alternative to visual assessment, provided that the instrument is calibrated and the results correlate with the grey scale ratings. Instrumental methods can improve objectivity and repeatability, but the correlation must be established and documented.
Article prepared in 2026. ISO 105-A01:2010 remains current; always verify the latest version with ISO or your national standards body.