DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 2139 -2 
First  Edition  
2021 -mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 2139 -2: 202 1 
© UNBS 202 1  
  
Textiles — Underwear — Part 2: Briefs — Specification  
 
 DUS 2139 -2: 2021 
ii © UNBS 2021 – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2021  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior w ritten 
permission from UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: +256 41 7 333 2 50/1/2 
Fax: +256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  DUS 2139 -2:2021 
© UNBS 202 1 – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
4.1 Fabric  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  2 
4.1.1  Fabric structure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 2 
4.1.2  Fibre composit ion and proportion  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 2 
4.1.3  Fabric defects  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  2 
4.1.8  Restricted colourants ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  2 
4.2 Specific requirements for briefs  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  2 
4.2.1  Physical and chemical requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 2 
4.2.2  Size designation and dimensions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  3 
4.2.3  Elastic straps and bands  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
4.2.4  Seams and stitches  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  5 
4.2.5  Freedom fr om defects  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  5 
5 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  5 
6 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
7 Sampling and criteria for c onformity  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 5 
Annex  A (normative)  Determination of dimensions of briefs  ................................ ................................ ....... 7 
A.1 Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  7 
A.2 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
A.2.1  Flat table  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  7 
A.2.2  Steel rule, accuracy of at least 1 mm  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
A.2.3  Calculator  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
A.3 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  7 
A.4 Conditioning  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  7 
A.5 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
A.6 Calculation and expression of results  ................................ ................................ ................................  7 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  9 
 
 DUS 2139 -2: 2021 
iv © UNBS 2021 – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade , Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda , as amended .  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) ;  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards ; and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT  Agreement  of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Sta ndards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of key stakeholders 
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interest ed parties.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uga nda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee UNBS /TC 315, Textiles and related 
products . 
DUS 2139  consists of the following parts, under the general title Textiles — Underwear:  
  Part 1 : Boxer shorts — Specification   
  Part 2: Briefs — Specification  
  Part 3: Panties  — Specification  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  DUS 2139 -2: 202 1 
 
© UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  1 
 Textiles — Underwear — Part 2: Briefs — Specification  
1 Scope   
This Draft Uganda Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for briefs  for men and women  
2 Normative references   
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated reference s, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
US ISO 8499 , Knitted fabrics — Description of defects — Vocabulary  
US ISO 3801 , Textiles — Woven fabrics — Determination of mass per unit length and mass per unit area  
US ISO 13938 -2, Textiles — Bursting properties of fabrics — Part 2: Pneumatic method for determination of 
bursting strength and bursting distension  
US ISO 5077 , Textiles — Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying  
ISO 14362 -1, Textiles — Metho ds for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants — 
Part 1: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants accessible with and without extracting the fibres  
ISO 14362 -3, Textiles — Methods for determination of certain aromatic amine s derived from azo colorants — 
Part 3: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants, which may release 4 -aminoazobenzene  
ISO 16373 -2, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 2: General method for the determination of extractable dyestuffs 
including allergenic and car cinogenic dyestuffs (method using pyridine -water)  
ISO 16373 -3, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 3: Method for determination of certain carcinogenic dyestuffs 
(method using triethylamine/methanol)  
ISO 16373 -1, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 1: General principles of  testing coloured textiles for dyestuff 
identification  
ISO 105 -B02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B02: Colour fastness to artificial light: Xenon arc 
fading lamp test  
ISO 105 -C10, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C10: Colour fastne ss to washing with soap or soap 
and soda  
US ISO 105 -E04, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E04: Colour fastness to perspiration  
US ISO 105 -X12, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing  
US ISO 1833  (all parts), Textiles — Quantitative chemical analysis  DUS 2139 -2: 2021  
2 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Onl ine browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
3.1  
briefs  
tight-fitting underwear worn by men and women without leg portions  
3.2  
underwear  
clothing worn next to the skin beneath one ’s outer clothing, also called underclothes/underclothing  
4 Requirements  
4.1 Fabric  
4.1.1  Fabric structure  
The briefs shall be tailored out of well and evenly knitted fabric.   
4.1.2  Fibre composition and proportion  
The fibre composition of the fabric shall be cotton, synthetics or their blends wh en tested in accord ance with  a 
relevant part of US ISO 1833.  
4.1.3 Fabric defects  
The fabric shall be free from major defects specified in US ISO 8499  including holes, slubs, thick and thin 
bars, spirality and streakiness.  
4.1.8  Restricted colourants  
The fabrics constituting  the boxer shorts shall be free from restricted colourants listed and when tested in 
accordance with ISO 14362 Parts 1 and 3, ISO 16373, Parts 2 and 3.  
Colourants on textiles shall be identified and classified in accordance with ISO 16373 -1. 
4.2 Specific r equirements  for briefs  
4.2.1  Physical and chemical  requirements  
The briefs or the fabric used for the manufacture of briefs shall conform to the chemical requirements given in 
Table 1.  
Table 1  — Chemical  and dimensional change requirements of briefs  
Parame ter Requirement  Test method  
Mass per unit area, g/m2, min. 100 ISO 9073 -1 
Bursting strength, kPa, min. 160 US ISO 13938 -
2 DUS  2139 -2: 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights reserved  3 
 Abrasion (2000 rubs), min. No noticeable 
wear  US ISO 12947 -1   
pH value of aqueous extract  6 - 108 US ISO  
Dimensional change du e to 
washing , %, max. Wales  ± 5 US ISO 5077  
Courses  ± 5 
Colour fastness of dyed 
briefs, min. Light  4 ISO 105 -B02 
Washing  
Colour change  
Staining   
4 
4 ISO 105 -C10 
Perspiration  
Acid 
Alkali   
4 
4 ISO 105 -E04 
Rubbing  
Dry 
Wet  
4 
4 ISO 105 -X12 
 
4.2.2 Size designation and d imensions  
4.2.2.1  A typical shape of a pair of briefs is shown in Figure.1. Generally the briefs are made of a number 
of fabric pieces, depending on the design, and may have double flaps (one covered with the other) with 
suitable front  opening.  
 
Figure 1 — A typical shape of a pair of brief s 
Where;  
A- Width across waist  
B- Front length  
C- Width at bottom  
D- Side length  DUS 2139 -2: 2021  
4 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 E- Thigh opening  
F- Width across seat  
4.2.2 .2 The dimensions of briefs of different sizes and designs sh ould confor m to the requirements  of 
Table 2  when measure d by the method given in Annex A . Unless otherwise, dimensions should be agreed 
upon between the purchaser and the manufacturer.  
NOTE  1 The size of the brief is fixed according to the hip measurement of the wearer, for example, 85 s ize briefs are 
meant for wearers having hip measurement of 85 cm.  
NOTE  2 The dimensions/sizes given in Table 2 and Table 3 are for guiding the manufacturer.  
Table 2 — Dimensions of women’s briefs  
Size Code  Waist (measurement 
around waist),  
cm Hip (measurem ent around 
hips/seat),  
cm 
XS ≤ 63 ≤ 88 
S 63 - 68 89 – 93 
M 68 - 73 94 – 98 
L 73 - 78 99 – 103 
XL 78 - 83 104 – 108 
XXL ≥ 83 ≥ 109 
NOTE 1  These dimensions are based on the British sizing system. An 
equivalent of the British sizing chart may be consid ered 
Table 3 — Dimensions of men’s briefs  
Size Code  Waist (measurement 
around waist),  
cm Hip (measurement around 
hips/seat),  
cm 
XXS 52 - 56 70 - 75 
XS 56 - 60 75 - 80 
S 60 - 64 80 - 85 
M 64 - 70 85 - 90 
L 70 - 76 90 - 95 
XL 76 - 82 95 - 100 
XXL 82 - 88 100 - 105 
XXXL  88 - 92 105 - 110 
XXXXL   ≥ 92 ≥ 110 
NOTE 1  These dimensions are based on the British sizing system. An 
equivalent of the British sizing chart may be considered  
 
4.2.3  Elastic straps and bands  
Briefs shall an elastic waistband or strap  DUS  2139 -2: 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights reserved  5 
 4.2.4  Seams and stitches  
4.2.4 .1 Briefs  shall be stitched with suitable unbroken overedge stitches  
4.2.4 .2 The number of stitches on any stitch line shall be 3.5 – 5 per cm  
4.2.4 .3 When stretched along with the fabric, the seams shall not show any sign of thread breakage.  
4.2.4 .4 Sewing threads used  for stitching shall be compatible with the mai n fabric used for making briefs . 
These threads shall be bleached or dyed according to a shade that does not discolour or stain the briefs  
during washing.  
4.2.5  Freedom from defects  
The briefs shall be free fro m manufacturing defects such as large mends, ladders, dropped stitches, holes, 
cuts, missed stitches, defective stitching, uneven dyeing, stains, etc. or any other defect which may 
significantly mar the appearance or serviceability  
5 Labelling  
The followin g information shall appear in legible and indelible marking in print or on a strong, durable label that 
is firmly sewn near the waist band or along the side seam  
a) size; 
b) manufacturer’s name, initials or trade -mark;  
c) fibre composition and proportion;  
d) washing i nstructions, if any; and 
e) country of manufacture.  
6 Packaging  
Only pieces of the same design and grade shall be packed together either in dozens, a carton or as specified 
by the customer.  
7 Sampling and criteria for conformity  
7.1 All panties of the same si ze delivered to a buyer against one despatch note shall constitute a lot.   
7.2 The conformity of a lot to the requirements of this specification shall be determined on the basis of the 
tests carried out on the samples selected from the lot. All briefs shal l meet the specified requirements of this 
specification.  
7.3 The number of briefs to be selected for sampling shall be in accordance with Table 4.  
Table 4 — Sampling plan  
Number of panties in the lot  Number of panties to be tested  
≤ 300 13 
301 - 500 20 DUS 2139 -2: 2021  
6 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 501 – 1 000  32 
≥ 1 001  50 
 DUS  2139 -2: 202 1 
© UNBS 2021 – All rights reserved  7 
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of dimensions of briefs  
A.1 Principle  
Lay a piece of briefs  on a flat table removing any curls and without stretching, take the measurements from 
one end of the brief to the o ther using a stee l rule. Repeat the procedure for other specimens in the laboratory 
sample.  
A.2 Apparatus  
A.2.1  Flat table  
A.2.2  Steel rule, accuracy of at least 1 mm  
A.2.3  Calculator  
A.3 Sampling  
From a laborato ry sample, take one piece of briefs  and subject it to conditi oning prior to testing.  
A.4 Conditioning  
Condition the specimen  in accordance with US ISO 139.   
A.5 Procedure  
Take each brief constituting the test sample. Lay it flat on a table. Remove by hand all creases and wrinkles 
without distorting it. Measure corre ct to the nearest 0.5 cm the dimensions given in Table 2.  
Repeat the procedure for any other specimen that may be required in the laboratory sample.  
A.6 Calculation and expression of results  
Take the average of the individual measure ments multiplied by 2 as the  dimensions  
 DUS  2139 -2: 202 1 
© UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  9 
 Bibliography  
[1] IS 4046 -1 (1981): Gent's Cotton Rib -Knitted Briefs - Part I : 1 x 1, 2 Ply Rib -Knitted  
[2] IS 4046 -2 (1996): Textiles - Gents' cotton briefs, Part 2: Plain knitted   
10 © UNBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Certification marking  
Products that conform to Uganda sta ndards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods c omply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity  to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 DUS 2139 -2: 202 1   
 
ICS 61.020  
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© UNBS 2021– All rights reserved