NCSU to launch new testing and evaluation program

COMPETE (Consortium for Outdoor Materials & Performance Ensembles Testing & Evaluation) is a new initiative being organized by the Textile Protection and Comfort Center (T-PACC) housed at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Textiles. Methods, standardization, education, communication, research, training and innovation are the focused areas.

According to information provided by NCSU, the mission of this effort is to establish world-recognized science, testing technologies, and education related to comfort, physiology, and functional utility of high-performance outdoor clothing.

This is in response to requests and questions related to standardized measurement methodologies for categorization and qualification of active wear clothing performance. This includes developing relevant product and end-use oriented test methods, standards and performance criteria to indicate levels of comfort and human performance, and to develop scientific substantiation of claims made in marketing and product communication.

It is the goal of the program to assist the U.S. textile industry in developing improved apparel and establishing better performance metrics.