ISO 105-A03-2019 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 105‑A03:2019 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A03: Grey scale for assessing staining. This International Standard specifies the grey scale used to assess staining of adjacent fabrics produced during colour‑fastness tests and provides a precise colourimetric specification for the scale so it can be used as a reference against working standards and to detect any change in those standards.

Abstract

Defines the grey scale for determining staining of adjacent fabrics in colour‑fastness testing and explains its application and verification. The document includes a colorimetric specification of the grey/white reference chips (or swatches) to provide a permanent record against which working standards can be compared and checked for drift.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed stage for the 2019 edition).
• Publication date: October 2019 (Edition 5, published Oct 2019).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 (Textiles).
• Edition / version: Edition 5 (2019).
• Number of pages: 3 (concise technical document).

Scope

ISO 105‑A03:2019 specifies the construction and use of the grey scale for assessing staining in the ISO 105 series of colour‑fastness tests. It provides the reference grey/white steps, their intended use when assessing staining of adjacent fabrics after exposure to washing, rubbing, laundering, or other tests, and gives a colourimetric definition so that working standards can be prepared and checked against a permanent reference.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of the grey scale for assessing staining in colour‑fastness testing (assessment of staining of adjacent fabrics).
• Colorimetric specification of the grey/white reference steps to allow verification and re‑creation of working standards.
• Essential 5‑step grey scale and an augmented scale including half‑steps (giving intermediate grades) for more precise assessment.
• Guidance on using the scale alongside ISO 105 test methods (e.g., washing, rubbing, dry‑cleaning) and standard adjacent fabrics.
• Application as a reference for routine laboratory QC and for checking stability/drift of working grey standards.

Typical use and users

Used by textile test laboratories, quality‑control departments in textile and apparel manufacturing, dye houses, independent test houses, standards committees, technical educators and researchers. Typical uses include routine assessment of staining after laundering, wet‑processing or rubbing tests, verification of working grey standards, and training of assessors in visual grading procedures.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 105 series (Tests for colour fastness). Related parts commonly referenced with A03 include ISO 105‑A01 (general principles and guidance), ISO 105‑A02 (grey scale for assessing change in colour), the various C, D and E parts that specify individual test methods (washing, dry‑cleaning, spotting, rubbing, etc.), and the F‑series specifications for standard adjacent fabrics used when assessing staining.

Keywords

grey scale, staining, colour fastness, textiles, reference standards, visual assessment, colourimetric specification, ISO 105.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 105‑A03:2019 is the ISO standard that defines the grey scale used to assess staining of adjacent fabrics in textile colour‑fastness tests, including a precise colourimetric specification for the reference steps.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the design and use of the grey/white reference steps used when assessing staining after exposure to laundering, rubbing, dry‑cleaning or other colour‑fastness tests, and provides a colourimetric reference so laboratories can prepare and verify working standards.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile and apparel manufacturers, independent testing and certification laboratories, dye and chemical suppliers, standards bodies, and researchers — anyone performing or supervising colour‑fastness testing and visual assessment of staining.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2019 edition (Edition 5) is the current published version (revising and replacing earlier editions such as the 1993 edition). The document is subject to periodic review under ISO rules.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 105‑A03 is one part of the ISO 105 series (Textiles — Tests for colour fastness). The series contains many parts covering general principles, grading scales, test methods (washing, rubbing, lightfastness, dry‑cleaning, spotting, etc.) and standard adjacent fabrics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Grey scale, staining, colour fastness, textile testing, visual assessment, reference chips, working standards, ISO 105.