i 
  
Tbs                                                     TDC 3  (6678) P3 
 
                Second  edition
 
 
DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
Textile – Specification for mosquito nets: Part 2:  Nets made from 100 
% Polyethylene yarn  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ii 
  
Foreword  
 
The consumers everywhere are interested in the information pertaining to various requirements of textiles 
such as blend composition, length, width, mass (g/m2), colour fastness, fire resistance, shrinkage and 
care labelling instructions for their subsequent use so that they can make optimum use of the textile and 
get the full value of the price paid by them.  
It is therefore; very important that information per taining to these as well as other essential requirements 
are labelled and marked on the consumer textiles so that the interests of the consumers are fully 
safeguarded. This will also help in curbing the malpractice in the textile trade regarding spurious m arkings 
which mislead the consumers,  
In addition, certain safety and environment friendly requirements of textiles are essential to provide safety 
to the user and prevent environmental pollution after their final disposal. Keeping in view the health and 
safety of the consumers of textiles, many countries of the world have brought out regulation which will 
also help a long way in minimizing of dumping and import of cheap  and hazardous textiles in Tanzania  
In the preparation of this Draft Tanzania Standard, assistance was derived from:  
 
JSI: Part 5: 1974, Specification for general labelling of all products manufactured from textiles , published 
by the Jamaican Bureau of Standards.  
IS 15798:2007  Textiles — Requirements for labelling and marking of consumer tex tiles — Specification,  
published by the Bureau of Indian Standards.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
iii 
  
 
 
. 
Textiles – General labelling of all products manufactured from textiles  
 
1 SCOPE  
 
This Draft Tanzania Standard specifi es basic labelling, marking and sapling plan requirements for all 
ready -made garments , woven and knitted fabrics  and other products manufactured from textiles.  
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES  
 
For the purpose of this Draft Tanzania Standard, the following references shall apply:  
TZS 4: Rounding off numerica l values  
TZS 22: Textiles — Woven fabrics — Determination of breaking load and extension  
TZS 23: Method for determination of colour fastness of textiles material to artificial light (xenon 
arc lamp)  
TZS 41: Method for evaluating change in colour  
TZS 42 : Method for evaluating straining  
TZS 40: Method for determination of colour fastness of textiles material to day light  
TZS 137: Textiles — Determination of dimensional changes of woven and knitted fabrics and 
garments, Machine method  
TZS 44: Textiles — Woven or knitted fabrics — Determination of length and width  
TZS 43: Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Colour fastness to washing: Test 1  
TZS 138: Textiles — Method for determination of colour fastness of textiles material to rubbing  
TZS 327:  Textiles – Binary fibre mixtures – quantitative chemical analysis.  
TZS 691:2001, The General Labelling of all products manufactured from textiles  
3 REQUIREMENTS  
 
All textile fabrics (woven or knitted) shall be labelled and marked with and shall satisfy the following 
requirements.  
 
3.1 Length –The length of fabric when measured as per method given in TZS 44 shall be as declared by 
the manufacturer subject to a toler ance of 5 percent.   
iv 
  
3.2 Width –The width of fabric when measured as per method given in TZS 44 shall be as declared by the 
manufacturer. However, this shall be subject to following tolerances:  
a) Woven fabrics: +2/ -1 cm  
b) Knitted fabrics:  ± 2 cm  
 
3.3 Mass p er unit area, g/m2) –The mass per unit area of the fabric when measured as per TZS 21  shall 
be as declared by the manufacture r. However, a tolerance of +5/ -2.5 percent shall be permitted on the 
declared value. For cotton denim the tolerance on mass shall b e ±5 percent.  
 
3.4 Blend Composition  
3.4.1 Silk Textile Fabrics  — Textile materials containing silk shall be marked as given below on the 
basis of content of silk in Basel ground fabric only when tested as per TZS 327 . 
a) Pure silk  —A textile material shall  be marked ‘PURE SILK’ if the material comprises of silk only 
subject to manufacturing tolerance up to 5 percent of foreign matter including metallic and 
weighting materials.  
 
b) Blended silk  — The textile material shall be marked ‘BLENDED SILK’ if it contai ns not less than 
50 percent of silk f ibres. However, a tolerance of ± 3 percent units shall be permitted on the 
declared silk content in the textile material.  
 
c) Part silk  — The textile material shall be marked ‘PART SILK’ if it contains not less than 20 
percent of silk. However, a tolerance of ± 3 percent units shall be permitted on the declared silk 
content in the textile material.  
 
NOTES  
1 All reference to percentage contents mean percentages by mass calculated from the mass of 
materials when in standard condition, namely, their oven dry mass plus the appropriate regain.  
 
2 In all cases the more detailed description or the contents of the material shall be given by 
indicating the percentages of silk and other fibres in descending order used in the manufacture of 
textile material. However, such a description should not be misleading.  
 
3.4.2 Woollen/Worsted Fabrics –Textile fabrics shall be marked as given below on the bas is of content 
of wool fibres when tested by the test method given in TZS 327 . 
 
a) All wool – A textile fabric shall be marked ‘All wool’, if the material comprises of pure new wool 
fibres only subject to the tolerances given below:  
 
1) Manufacturing tolerance up  to 3 percent of inadvertent impurities, and  
2) An allowance up to 5 percent of material other than wool fibres used to provide a 
decorative or ornamentation effect.  
 
b) Blended wool – The textile fabric shall be marked ‘BLENDED WOOL’, if it contains not less tha n 
50 percent of wool fibres. However, a  manufacturing tolerance up to ± 3 percent units on wool 
contents shall be permitted.  
 
c) Part wool – The textile material shall be marked ‘PART WOOL’, if it contains not less than 20 
percent wool fibres. However, a  manuf acturing tolerance up to ± 3 percent units on wool contents 
shall be permitted.  
 
NOTES  
1 All reference to the percentage contents mean percentages by mass calculated from the mass of 
materials when in standard condition, namely, their oven dry mass plus t he appropriate regain.  
 
2 In all cases the more detailed description of the contents of the material shall be given by 
indicating the percentages of the wool and other fibres in descending order used in the 
manufacture of the textile material. However, su ch a description should not be misleading.   
v 
  
3 The above classification pertains to the use of pure new wool fibres only. In case the used 
wool/shoddy wool fibres are used for manufacture of fabrics, the material shall also be clearly 
marked as ‘made from shoddy/reused wool’ in addition to above markings.  
 
 
3.4.3  Textile Fabrics Other Than Wool and Silk Fabrics – Textile fabrics other than wool and silk 
fabrics, shall satisfy the blend composition as declared by the m anufacturer with a tolerance of ± 3 percent 
units when tested by methods specified in TZS 327 .  
 
3.5 Shrink Resistance – The dimensional changes in both directions on washing of woven fabrics shall 
not exceed 2 percent except for cotton denim for which it shall not exceed 3 percent. For kni tted fabrics, 
the dimensional changes on washing shall not exceed 5 percent.  
The dimensional change shall be tested by the method prescribed in TZS 137  for wov en and knitted 
cotton textiles.  
However, if the textile fabric is declared as Shrink res istant (or Pre - shrunk), it shall  have dimensional 
stability of ±1 percent except for cotton denim for which the tolerance shall be +3 percent in warp way  and 
weft way when tested as per  test metho d specified in above mentioned . 
3.6 Colour Fastness Ratings – The fabric shall conform to the colour fastness ratings to all the agencies 
as specified in Table 1 of TZS 23 , TZS 40, TZS 43, and TZS 138 and shall be marked ‘FAST COLOUR’.  
4 MARKING  
4.1 Marking of Fabrics  
The marking shall be done by stencilling/labelling  at both the free ends of the cloth and shall contain the 
following information:  
a) Name of material and its blend composition, for example, polyester blended shirting fabric (67 
percent Polyester and 33 percent Viscose);  
b) All wool or Blended wool or Part wo ol in case of woollen  worsted fabrics and also ‘Made from 
shoddy wool/reused wool’, if applicable;  
c) Pure silk or Blended silk or Part silk and/or Pure Zari silk as  applicable  in case of silk fabrics;  
d) Mass  per unit area  in (g/m2)  
e) Size and fibre content  
a) Width and length;  
b) Colour fastness rating;  
c) Care Labelling Instructions using symbols;  
d) Shrinkage percentage, maximum or ‘Pre -shrunk’ or ‘Shrink resistant’, if applicable;  
e) Fire resistant, if applicable;  
f) ECO -Mark, if applicable;  
g) Manufacturer’s name, initi als or trade -mark, if any;  
h) Month and year of manufacture;  
i) Country of origin; and  
j) Any other information as required by law in force.  
4.2 Marking of Ready -Made Garments  
A suitable label, woven or printed, shall be fastened to garment at a conspicuous position underside of 
the garment on which the control dimensions of garments along with infor mation  as given in 4.1 as 
applicable ( except 4.1 (e)) shall be provided.  
4.2.1  The label shall be permanent and non -detachable such that colour from the label do es not bleed 
into the fabric or ready -made garment.   
vi 
 4.2.2  The marking of the labels/stencils shall be clearly readable. The height of letters on labels shall be 
minimum 5 mm for the markings given in 4.1 (b), (c), (f), (j), and (k) and for all other lette rs, the minimum 
height shall be 2 mm. For stencils, the height of letters shall be minimum 10  mm for the marking given in 
4.1 (b), (c), (f), (j), and (k) and for all other markings, the minimum height shall be 5  mm. 
5 PACKAGING  
5.1 Garments  
Garment packages shall be so designed as to ensure that the garments reach the consumer in 
satisfactory condition without any damage. Packaging of garments s hall be done in a secured way either 
in bales or in cases or shall be as agreed upon between the buyer and the seller.  
5.2 Fabrics  
The fabrics shall be packed in a secured way or as agreed upon between the buyer and the seller.  
6 PACKING  
6.1 Fabrics  
The fabric shall be well packed in roll or piece form wrapped in polyethylene film of not less than 40 
micron s’ thickness in clean and dry state free from stains, grease etc.  
6.2 Garments  
The garment shall be packed in polyethylene or polypropylene bags and sealed and then kept in box, as 
required by the buyer.  However, each box shall also be  marked with the in formation required at 4.2. 
7 SAMPLING AND CRITERIA FOR CONFORMITY  
7.1 Lot  
The number of pieces of the same type and composition of fabric or ready -made garment delivered to a 
buyer against one dispatch note shall constitute a lot .  
7.2 The number of pieces to be selected at random shall be according to col. 2 and 3 of Table 1.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
vii 
 Table 1 Sample Size  
(Clauses 3.4.2, 3.4.3.1 and 3.4.3.2 ) 
S/N Lot size  Sample size  Permissible number of Non -
conforming pieces  Sub-sample 
size Sub-sub 
sample size  
1 Up to 50  5 0 3 2 
2 51 - 150 8 0 5 3 
3 151 - 300 13 1 5 3 
4 301 – 500 20 1 8 5 
5 501 - 1000  48 3 10 7 
6 1001 and above  50 3 10 7 
 
7.3 Number of Tests and Criteria for Conformity  
7.3.1 The number of pieces to be selected for care labelling symbols, length, width, mass and control 
dimensions (in case of garments)  shall be in accordance with col. 3  of Table 1. For shrinkage resistance, 
colour fastness and blend composition, the number of pieces selected shall be in accordance wi th col. 5 
of Table 1. For all other requirements specified in this Draft Tanzania S tandard,  the number of pieces 
selected shall be as given in col. 6of Table 1.  
7.3.2  All the pieces selected from the lot shall be tested for all requirements as specified in  3 or 4. A piece 
shall be declared defective, if it does not meet any of the requirement specified in 3 and 4. The lot shall 
be declared conforming to the requirements of this  Draft Tanzania S tandard if the total number of 
defective pieces does no t exceed the value given in col. 4  of Table 1.   
viii 
 Foreword  
 
This Draft Tanzania Standard  specifies the requirements of two types of mosquito nets made out of 100 
% polyethylene yarn incorporated with permethrin insecticide.  
 
Mosquito nets can be categorized according  to their sizes and design.  In determining the quality of this 
item, more emphasis should be given not only to the netting fabric and stitching quality, but also to the 
active ingredient of insecticide incorporated in the fibre structure of the net during  the manufacturing 
process.  In that case shape, size, dimensions and active ingredient loading are very important.  This 
Draft Tanzania Standard  which outlines requirements for manufacture and workmanship of mosquito nets 
will guide  the m anufacturer and p rotect the buyer.  
 
In the preparation of this Draft Tanzania Standard  the valuable assistance derived from the following 
organizations are gratefully acknowledged.  
 
WHO approved specifications, published by World Health Organization  
 
Sumitomo Chemicals, manufacturers of long lasting Olyset Net brands  
 
IS 9886:1981, Specification for mosquito nets, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards  
 
SLS 1061:1995, Specification for mosquito nets published by the Sri -Lanka Standards 
Instituti on  
 
Company standards from local manufacturers  
  
1 
 1. SCOPE  
This Draft Tanzania Standard  prescribes the requirements of two types of mosquito nets namely 
rectangular mosquito nets and circular or conical shaped mosquito nets. These may be bleached or dyed 
as specified in the contract or order.  
2. NORMATIVE REFERENCES  
The following referenced do cuments are indispensable for the application of this Draft Tanzania 
Standard.  
TZS 4 , Rounding off numerical values  
 
TZS 21 , Textiles – Determination of mass per unit length and per unit area of knitted or woven 
fabric  
 
TZS 26 , Textiles – Determination of conductivity, pH, water soluble matter, chloride and sulphate 
in aqueous extracts  
 
TZS 40 , Textiles – Determination of colour fastness – colour fastness to daylight  
 
TZS 44 , Textiles – Determination of length and width of fabrics  
 
TZS 139 , Textiles – Determination of linear density of yarn removed from fabric free from added 
matter  
 
TZS 137 , Textiles – Determination of dimensional change of woven and knitted fabric and 
garments – machine method  
 
TZS 167 , Textiles – Determination of colou r fastness – colour fastness to washing – Test 3  
 
TZS 265 , Test method for testing strength of yarn from packages  
 
3. REQUIREMENTS  
 
3.1 Manufacture  
 
3.1.1 Netting Fabric  
The fabric used for the manufacture of mosquito nets shal l conform to constructional and performance 
requirements prescribed in Table 1.   
 
3.2 Defects  
The mosquito nets shall be free from defective holes having diameter more than the normal hole size of 
the netting), stitching defects, stains and observable defects.  
 
3.3The colour  
The fabric shall be in white or any colour which is agreeable between the  purchaser and supplier.   
2 
  
3.4 Sizes and dimensions  
The mosquito net shall be of any of the following sizes and dime nsions as described in Table  2 and shall 
be tested in accordance TZS 44.  
 
3.5 Colour fastness  
 
The colour fastness of mosquito netting and attachments shall conform to the requirements 
given in Table  3.  
 
3.6 pH value  
 
The pH  value of mosquito netting shall be as described in Table  1.  
 
3.7 Active ingredient  
 
The active ingredient shall be as described in Table  1.  
 
3.8 Dimensional change  
 
The dimensional change of mosquito  net shall be as described in Table  1.  
 
3.9 Workmanship  
 
The mosquito net shall be rectangular or conical in shape unless otherwise agreed between the 
manufacturer and the purchaser. The body of the mosquito net shall be made of not less than two pieces 
assembled together to obtain the required shape of the mosq uito net.  
 
3.10 Mosquito  Net attachment  
The net shall be provided with suitable number of suspension points to attach string or cord, of which the 
width is not less than 10 mm fixed at the top at 6 places equally spaced to tie the net to the hanging fram e 
for a rectangular net or a center loop with an insertion for the cord to hold a ring for a conical net.  
 
3.10.1  The top support ring shall be of any suitable material e.g. rust proof wire which has sufficient 
strength to withhold the net when it is hung  at the required position.  
 
3.10.2  A suspension ring made out of any suitable material and fixed to the upper centre of the top or any 
other suitable measures shall be provided to hang the net during its usage.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
3 
 Table 1 Requirements for high density polyethylene (monofilament fibre) Rectangular 
or conical mosquito netting  
 
S/NO.  Characteristic  Requirement  Test Method  
1. Material  
 100 % high density polyethylene 
(monofilament fibre) yarn.   
 TZS 327 
 
2 Linear density (den) min  150 denier.  TZS139  
3. Hole number (scale, physical 
counting), min.  8 holes/cm2 Manual  
4 
 Mass per unit area, g/m2, min.  43±5  TZS 21  
5. Bursting strength, kPa (min)  350 (see figure 1)  See Appendix A  
6. pH 6.0 - 8.5 TZS 26  
7. Dimensional change to   
washing: (Length and width)  ±10 %  TZS 137  
8. Active ingredient:  Permethrin   1.8 - 2.2 (w/w%).  See appendix B  
 
Table 2 – Sizes and dimensions of mosquito nets:  
a) Rectangular  
Description  Width  Length  Height  
Small 100 cm  180 cm  210 cm  
Medium  130 cm  180 cm  210 cm  
Large 160 cm  180 cm  210 cm  
Extra large  190 cm  180 cm  210 cm 
 
b) Conical  
Description  Circumference  Height  Top (diameter)  
Small  850 cm  220 cm  56 cm  
Medium  1050 cm  220 cm  56 cm  
Large  1250 cm  250 cm  65 cm  
 
Note – The sizes and dimensions mentioned above are for guidance purposes only. They 
should not be considered as prime requirement of this specification.  
 
Table 3 – Requirements for colour fastness  
S/N Colour fastness to:  Minimum Rating  Test Method  
1. 
2. a) daylight  
b) washing  4 
4 TZS   40:1979 TZS 
167:1979  
 
 
 
 
 
  
4 
 4. PACKING AND MARKING  
4.1 Packing  
 
Each mosquito net shall be packed in a polythene bag  
 
 
4.2 Marking  
 
The following information shall be marked or labelled legibly and indelibly on each individual package:  
a) Name of the product  
b) Size of the net  
c) Name and address of the manufacturer  
d) Brand name if any  
e) Batch identification mark.  
f) Country of origin  
 
5. SAMPLING  
 
5.1 Lot  
In any consignment all the pieces of mosquito netting belonging to one batch of manufacture or supply 
shall constitute a lot.  
 
5.2 Scale of sampling  
 
5.2.1  Samples shall be tested from each lot for ascertaining its uniformity to the requiremen ts of this 
specification.  
 
5.2.2  The number of pieces to be selected from a lot shall be in accordance with Table  4.  
 
Table 4 – Scale of sampling  
 
No. of pieces in  the 
lot No. of pieces to be selected  
Up to 8  
9 to 15  
16 to 25  
26 to 50  
51 and above  2  
3  
4  
5  
7  
 
 
5.2.3  To test the bursting strength of seams ( Table  1), up to 5 seams may be tested, avoiding 
intersections, to provide a total of 5 measurements.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
5 
 Annex  A 
 
Sampling for bursting strength test  
 
 
 
Figure 1: Sampling rectangular and conical nets for bursting test;  
 
 
6 
 Annex  B  
 
Test method for active ingredient  
 
 
 
7 
 
 
 
8 
 
 
 
9 
 
 
 
10 
  
 
11