American Assn. of Textile Chemists and Colorists opens registration for 2024 Proficiency Testing Programs, supporting certifications, continuous improvement for textile labs; April antibacterial program registration deadline is March 15

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) announced that labs can now register for all 2024 AATCC Proficiency Testing Programs (PTPs). The next registration deadline is March 15 for the April Antibacterial Properties program.

PTPs support certification and continuous improvement initiatives for textile laboratories and allow labs to compare results with hundreds of other labs to verify performance or identify areas for improvement.

Seven AATCC programs cover test methods and evaluation procedures for antibacterial properties, appearance, color evaluation, color fastness, fiber analysis, moisture management and water resistance.

How it works

• Labs register for one or more PTPs.
• AATCC sends samples, instructions and data sheets to participating labs twice per year.
• Labs have approximately one month to complete testing and submit results by email.
• AATCC distributes a report to participating labs with a confidential lab code.
• Each lab receives a Certificate of Participation.

What’s new

• Each program will be offered only once during the calendar year. The timing for several programs has also shifted. A complete schedule is posted online.
• The registration and payment deadline for all PTPs is extended to the 15th of the month before sample distribution. No registrations can be accepted after the deadline to ensure fair and timely processing for all participants.
• New data sheets and streamlined reports throughout the year. AATCC is constantly working to make PTPs more useful and valuable to participants.

Upcoming PTPs

• PTP4: Antibacterial Properties
• Deadline to Register: March 15, 2024
• Samples shipped April 2024

• TM100: Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials: Assessment of
• TM147: Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak Method
• PTP5: Resistance & Repellency
• Deadline to register: July 15, 2024
• Samples shipped August 2024

• TM22: Water Repellency – Spray Test
• TM35: Water Resistance – Rain Test
• TM42, Water Resistance: Impact Penetration Test
• TM118, Oil Repellency: Hydrocarbon Resistance Test
• TM127, Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test
• PTP6: Colorfastness
• Deadline to register: May 15, 2024
• Samples shipped June 2024

• TM8, Colorfastness to Crocking: Crockmeter Method
• TM15, Colorfastness to Perspiration
• TM16.3, Colorfastness to Light: Xenon-Arc
• TM61, Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated
• TM107, Colorfastness to Water
• TM133, Colorfastness to Heat: Hot Pressing
• TM162, Colorfastness to Water: Chlorinated Pool
• PTP7: Moisture Management
• Deadline to register: June 15, 2024
• Samples shipped July 2024

• TM79, Absorbency of Textiles
• TM195, Liquid Moisture Management Properties of Textile Fabrics
• TM197, Vertical Wicking Rate of Textiles: to Specified Distances
• TM198, Horizontal Wicking of Textiles
• TM199, Drying Time of Textiles: Moisture Analyzer Method
• TM200, Drying Rate of Textiles at their Absorbent Capacity: Air Flow Method
• TM201: Drying Rate of Fabrics – Heated Plate Method
• TM204: Water Vapor Transmission of Textiles
• TM213: Vertical Wicking Rate of Textiles
• PTP1: Color Evaluation
• Deadline to register: August 15, 2024
• Samples shipped September 2024