#Associations

2024-08-01

AATCC Textile Standards adopted by Colombian and Sri Lankan Governments

AATCC test methods and procedures are international standards, meeting the criteria set forth by the World Trade Organization and used around the globe. The standards gain additional recognition through Memoranda of Understanding with Colombia and Sri Lanka.

The Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC) recently translated and adopted three AATCC colorfastness to water test methods as a Colombian Technical Standard (NTC). NTC 6706 is technically equivalent to AATCC TM107 Test Method for Colorfastness to Water. AATCC TM106 Test Method for Colorfastness to Water: Sea was adopted as NTC 850 in 2022, replacing an older standard. AATCC TM162 Colorfastness to Water: Chlorinated Pool was adopted as NTC 2292-2.

Each of the standards is translated from the original English to Spanish. A cover page indicates the exact designation of the AATCC method on which the NTC is based. The cover page also indicates whether the adopted version is identical to the original or if modifications were made. In the case of the colorfastness methods, water and chlorinated pool water are identical; sea water is modified.

ICONTEC is also pursuing adoption of several other AATCC standards including additional colorfastness method, dimensional stability, and smoothness appearance.

Carolina Angulo Fandiño, ICONTEC Standardization Leader Manager, also noted that AATCC TM20 and TM20A for fiber analysis are particularly important since the withdrawal of ASTM D629.

The Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) is also in the process of adopting AATCC standards. Nivanthi K Jayaweera, SLSI Assistant Director, says, “We believe that the expertise and resources offered by AATCC will be invaluable in guiding us through this process of standard identification and adoption.”

AATCC standards are created by a consensus process. All are invited to participate and contribute. Every comment is considered and addressed. The published document reflects a thorough review by diverse stakeholders. In addition to adoption as national standards, many AATCC test methods are adopted by ISO. Test methods published by ISO Technical Committee 38 on Textiles for colorfastness, dimensional stability, appearance, and more are technically equivalent to earlier AATCC methods. In most cases, the relationship is noted in the History section of the relevant AATCC standard.

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To learn more about AATCC standards, visit www.aatcc.org/standards. The complete collection of more than 150 active textile standards is available in the annual AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures.

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

New funding available for textile research

The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.

European business associations celebrate the signature of the EU-Mercosur FTA

The 17th January marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster.

Latest news from Bremen: ICAC Plenary Meeting to take place right before the International Cotton Conference

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) will hold its 83rd Plenary Meeting on 23–24 March 2026 at the Parliament building in Bremen. The meeting will take place immediately ahead of the 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen (25–27 March 2026) and marks a historic premiere: for the first time, the ICAC Plenary will be hosted in close cooperation with the Bremen Cotton Exchange and the Faserinstitut Bremen e.V. (FIBRE).

Textile machinery: the upcoming Colombiatex 2026 speaks Italian

Numerous Italian textile machinery companies will be attending the upcoming Colombiatex, the premier trade fair for the Colombian textile supply chain, held in Medellin from January 27 to 29, 2026. This year’s edition further confirms the strong bond between local textile manufacturers and Italian technology providers.

MUNICH FABRIC START: Between Attitude and Sensuality

The future begins where we reimagine it. After seasons of restraint, Spring.Summer 27 marks a conscious counter-trend: optimism, sensuality, and creative freedom are replacing pragmatism and neutrality. Physical presence and individuality are regaining importance – as a response to uncertainty, exhaustion, and algorithmic predictability. The overarching theme of PLEASURE stands for fashion as an emotional space, as an expression of attitude and cultural reflection. Colours, surfaces, and materials become vehicles for self-confidence and joie de vivre.

organIQ seek: smart alternative to potassium permanganate

CHT Group announces new technical findings within its organIQ seek platform that significantly advance the transition toward permanganate-free denim bleaching. Through extensive industrial testing and application research, CHT confirms that organIQ seek can now be used with remarkable effectiveness as a substitute for potassium permanganate in spray bleach, while remaining aligned with sustainability expectations and cost realities in the European market. At the COLOMBIATEX in Medellín as well as at the Exintex in Puebla and the Kingpins Show in Amsterdam the CHT Group will present organIQ seek as an alternative to potassium permanganate.

PERFORMANCE DAYS: Focus topic shifts to the beginning of the value chain

Following the last Focus Topic in October 2025, which placed Textile-to-Textile Recycling at its core, PERFORMANCE DAYS continues to drive the conversation around circularity – this time with an expanded and more upstream perspective. The upcoming Focus Topic, “Textile to Textile: The Role of Collectors and Sorters,” presented during the spring edition on March 18–19, will spotlight one of the most essential yet often overlooked components of a functioning circular textile system: the efficient collection and sorting of post-consumer textiles.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.