ICS 61.020  
 
Reference number  
DRS 374 -1: 202 2 
© RSB 202 2 
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS 
374-1 
 
First edition  
2022-mm-dd 
 
Textiles — Underwear — Specification  
Part 1: Ladies’ Panties  
   
DRS 374 -1: 2022  
©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved                  ii 
 In order to match with technological development and to keep continuous progress in industries, 
standards are subject to periodic review. Users shall ascertain that they are in possession of the latest 
edition  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© RSB 2022  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized 
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without 
prior written permission from R SB. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to : 
Rwanda Standards  Board  
P.O Box 7099 Kigali -Rwanda  
KK 15 Rd, 49  
Tel. +250 788303492  
Toll Free: 3250  
E-mail: info@rsb.gov.rw  
Website: www.rsb.gov.rw  
ePortal: www.portal.rsb.gov.rw   DRS 374 -1: 2022  
iii                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 Contents   
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative reference  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4 Requirem ents ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  2 
4.1 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
4.1.1  Fabric structure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  2 
4.1.2  Fibre composition and  proportion  ................................ ................................ ..............................  3 
4.1.3  Freedom from Defects  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  3 
4.1.4  Seams and stitches  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  3 
4.1.5  Restricted  colourants  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  3 
4.1.6  Absorbency of the  gusset  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  3 
4.2 Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  4 
4.2.1  Physical and chemical  requirements  ................................ ................................ .........................  4 
4.2.2  Size designation and dimensions  ................................ ................................ ...............................  4 
4.2.3  Elastic Waist band and  strap  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
5 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
6 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
6.1 Labelling on panty  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
6.2 Labelling on the bulk container  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
7 Sampling and criteria for  conformity  ................................ ................................ .........................  7 
 (normative)  Determination of  dimensions of panties  ................................ ...........................  9 
A.1 Principle  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  9 
A.2 Apparatus  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 9 
A.3 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 9 
A.4 Conditioning  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 9 
A.5 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 9 
A.6 Calculation and expression of  results  ................................ ................................ .......................  9 
 DRS 374 -1: 2022  
©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved                  iv 
 Foreword   
Rwanda Standard s are prepared  by Technical Committees and approved by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) 
Board  of Directors in  accordance with the procedures of RSB, in compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT 
agreement on the preparation, adoption and application of standards.  
The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards.  Final Draft Rwanda S tandards adopted 
by Technical committ ees are ratifie d by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and gazettment as 
Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 374-1 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 029, Textile and Leather Technology.  
DRS 374  nnn consists of the following parts, under the general title Textiles — Underwear — Specification:  
⎯ Part 1: Panties — Specification  
⎯ Part 2: Briefs — Specification  
⎯ Part 3: Boxer shorts — Specification  
Committee membership  
The following organizations were repre sented on the Technical Committee on Textile and leather technology  
(RSB/TC 029) in the preparation of this standard.  
DIKAM Ltd  
GBF Leather and Art promoters Ltd  
Kigali Garment Centre Ltd (KGC)   
Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)  
Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA)  
Sunbelt textiles Rwanda Ltd  
University of Rwanda -College of Science and Technology (UR -CST)  
UTEXRWA Ltd  
Rwanda  Standards Board  (RSB) – Secretariat  
 DRS 374 -1: 2022  
1                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 Textiles — Underwear — Specification Part 1: Ladies’ Panties  
1 Scope  
This Working Draft specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for girls’ and women’s panties also 
known as knickers.  
2 Normative reference  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this documen t. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the 
latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
EAS 256, Textiles — Method for determination of scouring loss in grey and finished cotton mat erials  
RS ISO 105 -B01, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B01: Colour fastness to light: Daylight  
RS ISO 105 -B02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B02: Colour fastness to artificial light: Xenon 
arc fading lamp test  
RS ISO 105 -C10, Text iles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C10: Colour fastness to washing with soap or 
soap and soda  
RS ISO 105 -E04, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E04: Colour fastness to perspiration  
RS ISO 105 -X12, Textiles — Tests for colour  fastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing  
RS ISO 139, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing  
RS ISO 1833, Textiles — Quantitative chemical analysis  
RS ISO 3071 , Textiles — Determination of pH of aqueous extract  
RS ISO 3758 , Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols  
RS ISO 5077 , Textiles — Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying  
RS ISO 8499 , Knitted fabrics — Description of defects — Vocabulary  
ISO 12947 -1, Textiles — Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale method — 
Part 1: Martindale abrasion testing apparatus  
ISO 13938 -2, Textiles — Bursting properties of fabrics — Part 2: Pneumatic method for determination of 
bursting strength and bursting distension   
©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved                  2 
 RS ISO 13938 -1,  Textiles - Bursting properties of fabrics - Part 1: Hydraulic method for determination of 
bursting strength and bursting distension  
ISO 14362 -3, Textiles — Methods for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants 
— Part 3: Detection  of the use of certain azo colorants, which may release 4 -aminoazobenzene  
ISO 14362 -1, Textiles — Methods for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants 
— Part 1: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants accessible with and wi thout extracting the fibres  
ISO 16373 -1, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 1: General principles of testing coloured textiles for dyestuff 
identification  
ISO 16373 -2, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 2: General method for the determination of extractable dyestuffs 
including allergenic and carcinogenic dyestuffs (method using pyridine -water)  
ISO 16373 -3, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 3: Method for determination of certain carcinogenic dyestuffs 
(method using triethylamine/methanol)  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes  of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply.  
3.1  
panties (knickers)  
tight fitting underwear without leg portion worn by women and girls in the crotch area below the waist  
3.2 
underwear  
clothing worn next to the skin beneath one’s outer clothing, also called underclothes/underclothing  
3.3 
lot 
all the panties of same size and manufactured from plain knitted fabric of same count of yarn knitted on machine 
of same gauge and delivered to a buyer against one dispatch note shall constitute a lot  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General requirements  
4.1.1  Fabric structure  
The panties shall be tailored out of either lace and knit fabrics or all knit fabrics. The knitt ed fabrics from which 
the panties  are manufactured may be bleached, dyed or printed.  DRS 374 -1: 2022  
3                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
  
4.1.2  Fibre  composition and  proportion  
The fibre composition of the fabric shall be as declared on the label, subject to a tolerance of ± 3 % when tested 
in accordance with a relevant part of RS ISO 1833.  
4.1.3  Freedom from Defects  
The fabric  and panties shall be free from  any manufacturing defects  as described in RS ISO 8499 including 
holes, slubs, cuts, thick and thin bars, darning, mends, missing stitches, stains, ladders, dropped stitches, holes, 
cuts, open seams missed stitches, defective stitching, uneven dyeing, stai ns, spirality,  streakiness or any other 
defect which may significantly mar the appearance or serviceability.  
4.1.4  Seams and stitches  
4.1.4.1 Panties shall be stitched with suitable unbroken overedge stitches.  
The joining of the seat shall be done with overlock and/or flat -lock stitches while the side seams shall be done 
with overlock or chain stitch with overlock.  The hemmin g at the waist band and thigh openings shall be done 
with 2 thread overlock stitches or flat -lock stitches.  
4.1.4.2 The number of s titches o n any stitch line shall be 3.5 to  5 per cm . 
4.1.4 .3 When stretched along with the fabric, the seams shall not show any sign of thread breakage.  
4.1.4 .4 Sewing threads used for stitching shall be compatible with the main fabric used for making pant ies. 
These threads may be bleached or dyed according to a shade that does not discolour or stain the panties during 
washing.  
4.1.5  Restricted  colourants  
4.1.5.1 Dyestuff classes shall be identified in accordance with ISO 16373 -1. 
4.1.5.2 The fabrics used to make garments shall be free from aromatic amines when tested in accordance 
with ISO 14362 -1 and ISO 14362 -3.  
4.1.5.3 The dyed fabrics shall be free from carcinogenic dyestuffs when tested in accordance with ISO 
16373 -2 and ISO 16373 -3. 
4.1.6  Absorbency of the  gusset  
The material used to make the gusset (crotch) should be absorbent to reduce the risk of infections and irritations.   
©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved                  4 
 4.2 Specific requirements  
4.2.1  Physical and chemical  requirements  
The panties or the fabric used for the manufacture of panties shall conform to th e requirements given in Table 
1 when tested in accordance with the test methods specified therein.  
 Table 1 — Specific requirements for  fabric used to manufacture panties  
Parameter  Requirement  Test method  
Mass per unit area, g/m2, min.  100 RS ISO 9073 -1 
Bursting strength, kPa, min.  160 RS ISO 13938 -1 
Abrasion (2000 rubs), min.  No noticeable wear  ISO 12947 -1 
Scouring loss, %, max.  2 EAS 256 
pH value of aqueous extract  6 - 8 RS ISO 3071  
Dimensional change due 
to washing (5 washings), 
%, max.  Wales  5 RS ISO 5077  
Courses  5 
Colour fastness of dyed  
panties, min.  Light  4 RS ISO 105 -B02 
Washing  Colour 
change  4 RS ISO 105 -C10 
Staining  4 
Perspiration  Acid 4 RS ISO 105 -E04 
Alkali  4 
Rubbing  Dry 4 RS ISO 105 -X12 
Wet 4 
 
4.2.2  Size designation and dimensions  
4.2.2.1  A typical shape of panties is shown in Figure.1  
 
Figure 1 — A typical shape of panties  
DRS 374 -1: 2022  
5                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 4.2.2.2   The dimensions of different sizes and designs of panties should conform to the requirements of   
Table 2 and Table 3 when measured by the method specified in Annex A. Unless otherwise, dimensions should 
be agreed upon between the purchaser and the manufacturer.  
NOTE  The dimensions/sizes given in Table 2 and Tabl e 3 are for guiding the manufacturer.  
Table 2 — Dimensions of women’s panties  
Size designation  Waist (measurement 
around waist),  
cm Hip (measurement around 
hips/seat),  
cm 
XXS 58 84 
XS 59 – 63 85 – 88 
S 64 – 68 89 – 93 
M 69 – 73 94 – 98 
L 74 – 78 99 – 103 
XL 79 – 83 104 – 108 
XXL 84 – 88 109 – 113 
XXXL  89 – 93 114 – 118 
XXXXL  94 - 98 119 – 123 
NOTE 1  These dimensions are based on the British sizing system. An equivalent of the British sizing chart 
may be considered  
NOTE 2  The sizes depict the size of the wearer  
 
 
Table 3 — Dimensions  of girls’ panties   
©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved                  6 
 Size,  
years  Waist (measurement 
around waist)a, 
cm Hip (measurement around hips/seat)b, 
cm 
3 52 56 
4 54 59 
5 56 62 
6 58 65 
7 60 68 
9 62 74 
10 63 77 
11 64 80 
12 65 83 
13 66 86 
14 67 89 
a The waist dimensions shall be subjected to a tolerance of ± 1.5  cm 
b The hip measurement shall be subjected to a tolerance of ± 1.0  cm 
NOTE  These dimensions are based on the British sizing system.  An equivalent of the British sizing chart may 
be conside red 
 
4.2.3  Elastic Waist band and  strap  
4.2.3.1  Panties shall have an elastic waistband or  strap  with a width of not less than 12 mm.  
4.2.3.2  There shall be no deterioration or loss of elasticity of bands when subjected to a minimum of 10 
washes under 40  ºC. 
5 Packaging  
The panties  shall be pack aged to protect  them from  contamination during storage and transportation including  
dust, dirt and water. Only pieces of the same design and grade shall be packed together either in dozens, a 
carton or as specified by the  customer.  
6 Labelling  
6.1  Labelling on panty  
The following information shall appear in legible and indelible m arking in print or on a strong and durable label 
that is firmly sewn near the waist band or along the side seam . 
a) Size code;  
b) dimensions of the wearer best suited for the panties;  DRS 374 -1: 2022  
7                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 c) manufacturer’s name, initials or trade -mark;  
d) fibre composition and proportion;  
e) care instructions in accordance with ISO 3758; and  
f) country of manufacture.  
6.2 Labelling on the bulk container  
6.2.1  The following information shall be legibly and indelibly marked on the bulk container of ladies’ panties.  
a) manufacturer’s name, initials or trade -mark and physical address;  
b) name of product as “Ladies’ panties” ; 
c) number of panties; and  
d)  country of manufacture.  
6.2.2 The package may be accompanied by a size chart to guide the consumer  
7 Sampling and criteria for  conformity  
7.1 All panties of the same size delivered to a bu yer against one di spatch 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 panties shall meet the specified requirements of this 
specification.  
7.3 The number of panties to be selected for samplin g 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 
501 – 1 000  32 
≥ 1 001  50 
 
 
  
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 DRS 374 -1: 2022  
9                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 
 
(normative)  
 
Determination of  dimensions of panties  
A.1 Principle  
Lay a pair of panties on a flat table removing any curls and without stretching, take the measurements from one 
end to the other using a steel 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 laboratory sample, take one pair of panties and subject it to conditioning prior to testing.  
A.4 Conditioning  
Condition the specimen in accordance with RS ISO 139.  
A.5 Procedure  
Take each pair of panties constituting the test sample. Lay it flat on a table. Remove by hand all creases and 
wrinkles without distorting it. Measure correct to the nearest 0.5 cm the dimensions given in Table 2 or Table 3.  
Repeat the p rocedure 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 measurements and multiply it by 2 to obtain the dimensions  
  
©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved                  10 
 Bibliography  
[1] DUS 2139 -3: 2021 Textiles — Underwear — Part 3: Panties — SpecificationDRS 374 -1: 2022  
 
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