ISO 105-C03-1989 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 105-C03:1989 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C03: Colour fastness to washing: Test 3. This part of ISO 105 specifies Test No. 3 in a series of washing tests for assessing the effect of washing on the colour fastness of dyed textiles; it describes specimen contact with adjacent fabrics, mechanical agitation in a soap solution, rinsing, drying and assessment of change in colour and staining using grey scales.

Abstract

ISO 105-C03:1989 establishes one of a set of five standardized washing procedures (Test 3) intended to examine the resistance of textile colour to washing processes. The method focuses on the effect of washing on dye fastness and on staining of adjacent fabrics; it is not intended to reproduce an entire commercial laundering process.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / Annulled.
• Publication date: December 1989.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 (Textiles in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (1989).
• Number of pages: 3.

Information above from the ISO bibliographic record for ISO 105‑C03:1989. The standard has been withdrawn and later consolidated into ISO 105‑C10.

Scope

This part specifies Test No. 3 of a sequence of five washing tests intended to cover a range of washing severities (from mild to severe). The procedure calls for a textile specimen, in contact with one or two specified adjacent fabrics, to be mechanically agitated in a specified soap solution under defined time and temperature conditions, followed by rinsing and drying. Results are expressed by assessing change in colour of the specimen and staining of the adjacent fabrics using grey scales. The method is intended only to determine the effect of washing on colour fastness, not to simulate complete commercial laundering processes.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of Test No. 3 within the ISO 105 washing-test series (investigation of colour change and staining after a standardized wash).
• Specimen preparation and requirement for specified adjacent (multifibre or specified) fabrics to assess staining.
• Mechanical agitation in a soap solution under defined temperature and time conditions, followed by rinsing and drying.
• Evaluation criteria using grey scales for change in colour and staining (visual comparison to grey scales).
• Limitations: method assesses washing effect on colour fastness only and does not represent full bleaching or commercial laundering processes.
• Harmonization and adoption: used as the basis for equivalent EN national documents and later consolidated into ISO 105‑C10 (2006).

Typical use and users

Used by textile testing laboratories, manufacturers and converters, quality control teams, research organisations and conformity assessment bodies to determine colour fastness to washing and staining behaviour of dyed textiles. Also used by standards bodies and testing centres that adopt or reference ISO/EN textile test methods.

Related standards

ISO 105 is a multi‑part series on tests for colour fastness. ISO 105‑C03:1989 has been withdrawn and its methods were later incorporated or superseded by ISO 105‑C10:2006 (which consolidates the C01–C05 washing tests). National and regional equivalents/adoptions include EN/20105‑C03 and various country‑specific publications that mirror ISO 105‑C03:1989. Other related parts of ISO 105 address different agents (e.g., light, rubbing, perspiration) and other washing test variants.

Keywords

ISO 105, colour fastness, washing test, textile testing, Test 3, grey scales, staining, laundering, ISO/TC 38, withdrawn, ISO 105‑C10.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 105‑C03:1989 is Part C03 of the ISO 105 series — a standardized test method titled "Colour fastness to washing: Test 3" for assessing how textile colour is affected by a defined washing procedure.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It specifies Test No. 3 of five washing procedures: specimen contact with adjacent fabrics, mechanical agitation in a soap solution under specified conditions, rinsing, drying and assessment of colour change and staining using grey scales. The method assesses the effect of washing on dye fastness only.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, quality control personnel, research institutions and standards bodies use the method to evaluate and compare colour fastness to washing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 105‑C03:1989 has been withdrawn. Its tests were consolidated and superseded by ISO 105‑C10:2006 (and corresponding EN adoptions). For current test procedures, consult ISO 105‑C10 and later confirmed/updated revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the ISO 105 series ("Tests for colour fastness"), which contains multiple parts (C, A, B, D, E, F, etc.) addressing different media and procedures for assessing colour fastness. C‑series parts cover washing tests.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Colour fastness, washing, textile testing, staining, grey scales, ISO 105, Test 3, laundering.