The importance of standards in textile innovation

Erika Simmons, technical director, AATCC, challenged her audience to “Level-up your standards game” to achieve “next-level innovation” in her presentation at ATA’s Expo this year. Simmons provided up-to-the-minute information on where new standards are in their development or release. 

For example, TM214, which addresses condensation and microclimates in textiles, was just released in July 2023. AATCC LP5, the lab procedure for home laundering and bleach, just passed this fall. New PFAS standards are “in the works,” she says, and more standards concerning circularity and sustainability are also underway. 

Simmons stressed that standards are important in the industry to verify quality, safety and consistency, and they support regulatory and trade compliance, help in risk management and boost consumer confidence. She also pointed out that new standards are published once a year in January.