ISO 105-J03-2009 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 105-J03:2009 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part J03: Calculation of colour differences. This International Standard specifies a procedure for calculating numerical colour differences (∆Ecmc (l:c)) between two textile specimens measured under the same conditions, enabling objective assessment of match quality and tolerances for acceptance or specification purposes.

Abstract

ISO 105-J03:2009 provides a method to quantify the total colour difference between two specimens of the same material using the ∆Ecmc (l:c) metric. The method permits the specification of a maximum acceptable colour difference (tolerance) that depends only on the closeness of match required for a given end-use, and it supplies a way to establish the relative weighting between lightness, chroma and hue differences.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed following systematic review).
• Publication date: Edition 2 — 2009 (published 2009-10; confirmed in 2025).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 — Textiles in general.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2009).
• Number of pages: 10 (ISO published version).

Scope

This part of ISO 105 specifies a calculation method for determining the colour difference between two textile specimens measured under identical conditions. It defines how to calculate the numerical value ∆Ecmc (l:c) for the total colour difference, provides guidance on choosing a tolerance (maximum acceptable ∆E) independent of the particular colour or type of colour difference, and describes establishing the relative importance of lightness versus chroma and hue in the difference calculation.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and calculation of the ∆Ecmc (l:c) colour-difference formula for textiles.
• Guidance for selecting l:c weighting (lightness: chroma) to reflect perceived importance of lightness and chroma differences.
• Procedure for reporting ∆E values and expressing tolerances for production/specification acceptance.
• Requirements for measurement conditions (comparability of specimens and measurement under the same conditions).
• Informative annexes with interpretation of results, representative test data and a sample computer program/algorithm for calculation.

Typical use and users

Used by textile testing laboratories, colour technologists, dye and chemical manufacturers, garment and textile product quality control teams, product development and colour-matching specialists, and specification writers in retail and manufacturing. Typical uses include batch acceptance, supplier specification, shade matching across lots and substrates, and objective communication of tolerance limits between suppliers and buyers.

Related standards

ISO 105-J03 is part of the ISO 105 series (Tests for colour fastness). Commonly referenced related parts include ISO 105-A01 (general principles), various ISO 105 test methods for washing, rubbing and other fastness properties (for example parts in the C, E, B and X series), and national/adopted versions (EN/BSI/NEN variants). It is also used alongside colourimetry standards and conventions (CIE L*a*b* and related colour-difference methods) when defining measurement and reporting procedures.

Keywords

colour difference, ∆Ecmc, colour tolerance, colour matching, textiles, colour fastness, lightness, chroma, hue, textile testing, ISO 105

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 105-J03:2009 is the part of the ISO 105 series that defines how to calculate the colour difference between two textile specimens using the ∆Ecmc (l:c) metric and how to set tolerances for acceptable colour match.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the calculation method for ∆Ecmc (l:c), guidance on selecting lightness:chroma weighting, requirements for comparable measurement conditions, reporting of results, and includes informative annexes with interpretation, example data and calculation aids.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile testing laboratories, QC and colour specialists in textile and apparel manufacturing, dye suppliers, retailers, and anyone needing objective, repeatable colour-difference assessments and tolerances for textiles.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The edition is ISO 105-J03 Edition 2 published 2009. The ISO record shows this edition was reviewed and confirmed in 2025, so the 2009 edition remains the current version.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO 105 series (Textiles — Tests for colour fastness), a multi-part collection that includes general principles (A parts) and many specific fastness test methods (B, C, E, F, J, X series, etc.).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are: colour difference, ∆Ecmc, colour tolerance, colour matching, textile colour measurement, lightness, chroma, hue, ISO 105.