There’s a standard for nearly everything. To test this idea, I occasionally use the keyword search function on webstore.ansi.org. The practical importance of the keyword search is to identify standards early when you are researching standards but you don’t know exactly what might be available.
Today an article on BBC news entitled Untidy Beds May Keep Us Healthy claims that new research shows that dust mites can’t survive long in an unmade bed. So is there a standard dealing with dust mites? JIS L 1920:2007 Testing methods for efficacy against house dust mite of textiles turns up when using a keyword search for “dust mite”.
There are 19 standards for “textile testing” from DIN, ISO, BSI, AS, ONORM and the Chinese standards, GB, and nearly 300 international standards for “fabric”. There are close to 700 ISO standards for textiles and leather ICS 59 and many hundreds more textile standards from ASTM International.
Two ANSI accredited standards developers cover textile standards. IICRC, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification develops standards in the cleaning, restoration, remediation and inspection industry, primarily involving floor coverings and surfaces of all types, upholstery and fabrics, personal property, and structures. The TCATA, Textile Care Allied Trades Association, tackles textile standards development in a related area, safety requirements for commercial laundry and drycleaning equipment.
ASTM International is the administrator of TC38 SC1, SC 24 and SC 20 for ISO activities relating to fabrics and textiles.
