DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD         DC 3 (1332)  CD 3 
                                                                                                       First Edition                                          
  
 
©TBS 2018 All right s reserved                                                                      First edition 202 2 
 
 
 
 
Textiles  — Travelling Bags  – Part 2 : Handbag type  — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
  
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©TBS 2018 All right reserved                                                                     First  edition 2020  
             TDC 3 (1332 ) CD 3 
Foreword  
This Draft Tanzania Standard is being developed by the House hold Textile  Technical Committee 
under supervision of the Textile and Leather Division Standards Committee and it is in accordance 
with the procedures of the Bureau.  
 This Draft Tanzania Standard has been prepared with assistance drawn from:  
 Ks 2746 - 2 Travel bags — Specification (F irst Edition) Part 2 : Handbag  type travel bags . 
 Is 8518 – Specification for suitcase air travel.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 1 Scope  
This Draft Tanzania Standard  specifies  requirements and test methods for handbag type of travel 
bag made of textile fabrics, leather or plastic materials.  
2 Normative References  
For the purpose of this Tanzania Standard the following references shall apply :  
a) TZS 4 , Rounding  off numerical values .  
b) TZS 21 , Textiles – Woven or knitted fabrics – Determination of mass per unit length and per 
unit area . 
c) TZS 22, Textiles - Woven fabrics - Determination of breaking load and extension .  
d) 27, Textiles determination of dimensional changes of fabrics by cold water immersion  
e) TZS 40 , Textiles - Tests for colour fastness to light : Daylight .  
f) TZS 43 , Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Fastness to washing: Test 1 .  
g) TZS 44, Textiles - Woven or knitted fabrics - Determination of length and width.  
h) TZS 27  
i) TZS 138 , Textile -test for colour fastness to rubbing.  
j) TZS 280, Textiles – Test for colour fastness – Colour fastness to perspiration.  
k) TZS 531 , Textiles – Tests for colour fastness – Colour fastness to spotting: Water . 
l) TZS 1 136, Textile – Zippers – Specification . 
m) TZS 1425 , Textile - Sewing Threads Specification - Sewing threads made wholly or partly 
from synthetic fibres . 
n) TZS 2510 , Leather for upholstery – Specifications.  
o) TZS 2709 Packaging – Flexible Plastic Packaging Material – Specification.  
p) TZS 3200, Textile – Requirements for flat woven lining material.  
q) ISO 62, Plastics — Determination of water absorption.  
r) ISO 180, Plastics — Determination of Izod impact strength.  
s) ISO 527 -1, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 1: General principles.  
t) ISO 898 -2, Mechanical properties of fastener s made of carbon steel and alloy steel — Part 
2: Nuts with specified property classes — Coarse thread and fine pitch thread.  
u) ISO 13936 – 1, Textiles — Determination of the slippage resistance of yarns at a seam in 
woven fabrics — Part 1: Fixed seam opening  method.  
v) ISO 13936 – 2, Textiles — Determination of the slippage resistance of yarns at a seam in 
woven fabrics — Part 2: Fixed load method.  
w) ISO 13937 - 1, Textiles — Tear properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of tear force 
using ballistic pendulum  method (Elmendorf).   
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 x) ISO 13938 – 2, Textiles — Bursting properties of fabrics — Part 2: Pneumatic method for 
determination of bursting strength and bursting distension.  
y) ISO 6383, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of tear resistance — Part 2: 
Elmendorf method  
z) ISO 6940, Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Determination of ease of ignition of 
vertically oriented specimens.  
aa) ISO 6941, Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Measurement of flame spread properties 
of vertically oriented specimens  
 
3 Term s and Definitions   
 
For the purpose of this Draft Tanzania Standard the following definitions shall apply:  
3.2 travel bag   
bag usually made out of plastics, leather or textile material and of specified shape and dimensions 
used for carrying personal belongings while travelling such as hand bag or suit case . 
3.3 handbag  type of travel bag  
hand held type of travel bag made out of different materials and design and used to carry 
traveller’s  personal belongings.  
4 Requirements  
4.1 Materials  
4.1.1 Textile fabric  
The fabric structure shall be woven or knitted.  
4.1.1.2 Fibre composition and proportion  
The fibre composition of the fabric shall be of any natural or manmade textile fibre of quality as 
specified in this Draft Tanzania Standard.  
4.1.2 Leather  
4.1.2.1 The grain of the leather for making up the handbag type of travelling bag  shall be free from 
flays and grain defects that  affect its appearance in accordance with TZS 2510.   
4.1.2.2 The flesh side of the leather shall have been shaved and shall be free from any cuts and 
loose flesh.  
4.1.2.3 The leather shall be firm, pliable and  shall not be pipy.  
4.1.2.4 The colour of the leather and the nature of the grain surface (whether smooth o r printed) shall 
be as specified in Tables 1  and 2  
4.1.3 Plastics  
The plastic material making up the handbag type of travelling bag shall be hardened and stiffened 
able to withstand strains, stresses, and deformations caused by loading, handling and changes in 
temperature. The plastic material shall also comply with the requirements specified in Table 2.   
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 4.2 Construction s. 
4.2.1 Foundation  
The handbag type of travel bag  shall be constructed on a foundation made out of plastic sheet and 
formed so as to  assume the cuboid shape of the bag . 
4.2.1  Lining  
The hand bag type of travelling bag  interior shall have a lining fabric complying with TZS 3200  and 
of a hue close to that  of the panels of the suitcase.  
4.2.2  Lifting handles  
The handbag shall have a lifting handle made from the same material as the bag and also comply 
with the requirements of Table 4 when test ed in accordance with the test methods specified therein.  
4.2.3  Piping  
The stitched seams shall be reinforced with piping made out of material s similar to that of the panels 
of the bag, with a core material strong enough to serve the intended purpose. The piping expressed 
as diameter and measured with a Vernier  caliper shall comply with the requirements of Table 4 when 
tested in accordance with t he test methods specified therein. Also see Annex A. 
4.2.4  Studs  
The handbag type of travel bag shall have plastic studs fixed with screws on the foundation of the 
face adjacent to the one housing the carriage.  
4.2.5  Seams and stitches  
The handbag type of travel bag shall have a front, back, bottom, top and side panels shaped and 
joined symmetrically with machine stitching.   The bag shall also have a pocket stitched on the face 
panel. The stitched seams shall bear a piping complying wi th the specifi cations of Table 3 . The 
stitches per centimetre shall be as specified in Table 1 and be tested in accordance with Annex B.  
4.2.6 Sewing thread  
The sewing threads used for making up the seams of the handbag  type of travel bags shall be of 
synthetic fibre p referably polyester and comply with TZS 1425.  
4.2.7  Zippers  
The openings of the bag and pocket s shall have zippers complying with the requirements specified 
in Table 1 and attached to the middle panel of the bag with a double stitch.  
4.2.8  Size codes and Dimensions  
The dimensions of suit case type of travel bags is as specified in Table 3. However the dimensions 
of the handbag type of travel bag may be upon agreement between  the buyer and  the seller . 
4.2.9 Shoulder straps  
The handbag may be provided with a shoulder strap having a suitable buckle or buckles for length 
adjustment and made from suitable material preferably the same material as the bag and stitched 
on the side panels and comply with the requirements of Tables 1, 2 and 4.  
  
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 4.2.10 Carrier assembly  
The hand bag may be provided with a carrier assembly with a plate fixed at the base and made from 
suitable material preferably hardened plastic for ease of transporting the bag by rolling. The carrier 
assembly shall have at least tw o wheels fixed on a spindle of the bag. The carrier assembly shall 
have a self -locking pulling handle fitted on double or single tubes at the top. The carrier assembly 
with its associated parts shall comply with the requirements of Table 3 . 
4.3 Accessories   
 
4.3.1 Foundation  
The hand bag type of travel bag shall be constructed on a foundation made out of suitable material 
preferably plastic sheet and formed so as to assume the cuboid shape of the bag. The 
characteristics of the plastic sheet shall be such t hat the entire internal depth and girth of the 
cuboid is covered and also have a thickness of not less than 0.76 cm.  
 4.3.2  Locks   
The suit case shall have a programmable lock fixed on the plastic sheet of the foundation and 
operating with the pullers of the zippers. The dimensions of the loc ks shall be as given in table 3 . 
Instructions for operating the programmable locks shall be provided with the suitcase bag in a legible 
and indelible format . 
.4.3.3  Carrier assembly  
The suit case type of travel bag sh all have a carrier assembly with a p late fixed at the base and 
made from suitable material preferably hardened plastic for ease of transporting the bag by rolling. 
The carr ier shall be fitted with wheels on a spindle or clamps at least at the four corner s of the base 
of the suit case. The carrier shall have an adjustable and self -locking pulling handle fitt ed on double 
or single tubes at the top. The carrier and associated parts shall comply with the requirements of 
Table 3. 
4.3.4 Fasteners  
Where provided, the carrier assembly shall be fastened on the plastic sheet constituting the 
foundation of the hand bag type of travel bag with appropriate fasteners as specified in ISO 898 -2. 
4.3.5  Flammability  
The burning behaviour of  handbag type of  travel bag fabrics shall be tested in accordance with 16 
CFR Part 1610 and  be of at least Class 1. See ISO 6940 and ISO 6941.  
4.34 Dimensions of accessories  
The dimensions of the accessories shall be as given in Table 4 when tested in accordance with the  
test methods specified therein.  
5. Specific requirements  
The specific requirements of travelling bags  shall comply with the requirements specified in Table 1 
  
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 Table 1 – Table of requirements   
 
Table 2 –Requirements of suitcase type of travelling bag made from plastic 
materials  SN Parameter   Requirements  Test Method  
1 Mass per unit area  of fabric ,  
g/m2, min  330 TZS 21  
2 Mass per unit area lining ,  g/m2, 
min 33.1 TZS 21  
3 Stitches per cm along the seam , 
min  2 Visual  
4 Seam strength N, min  235 ISO 13936 - 1 
5 Seam Slippage   N, min   ISO 13936 - 2 
Warp  100 
Weft 100 
6. Bursting strength , Kpa, min  160 ISO 13938 - 2 
7. Dimensional change after five 
washing, %  ≥3 TZS 27 
8. Zipper  specification  pass  TZS 1136  
9. Drop test based on 5 -14 kg 
load, at 1 metre height   
 Pass  Annex c  
10. Handle attachment strength, 
in N min.  
 305 Annex D  
 
11. Breaking strength (N), min  
  
Warp   445  
TZS 22  
Weft  445 
12 Tear strength, N, min  
      
 Warp   63  
ISO 
13937 -1  
 Weft  52 
12 Colour fastness   
 a) Agency  Colour Change  Staining   
 b) light, min  5 NA TZS 40  
c) to rubbing, min  
i) wet 
ii) dry  
3 
4  
NA  
TZS 138  
d) washing, min  4 NA ISO 105:B04  
e) perspiration  
i) acid 
ii) alkali  
  
4 
4  
4 
4  
TZS 280   
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 Properties  Requirements  Test Method  
Tensile strength ,MPa, minimum  50 ISO 527-1:2019  
Water absorption, (immersion 24 
hours)%  0.15 ISO 62:2008  
Tensile elongation at break, % 
maximum  60 ISO 527 -1:2019  
Impact strength ,kJ/m2 ,Minimum   30 ISO 180:2019  
Tear resistance , kN/m  120 ISO 6383 -2 
Table 3  - Size code and dimensions of handbag  type of travel bag  
Size Code And 
Characteristic  1 2 3  4 5 Test 
Method  
Bag 
and 
front 
panel  Bottom 
length  ≤ 54 54 – 55.1 55.1 – 56.35  56.35 – 59 ≥59 Annex A  
  
  Top 
length  ≤ 54 54 – 54.66  54.66 – 55.41  55.41 – 57 ≥57 
Height  ≤25.5  25.5 -28.05  28.05 – 30.95  30.95 –37.1 ≥37.1  
Bottom 
panel  Length  ≤ 54.3 54.3 – 55.77  55.77 – 57.45  57.45 – 61 ≥61 
Width  ≤ 26.1  26.1 – 27.16  27.18 – 28.41  28.41 – 31 ≥31 
Top 
panel  length  ≤ 44 44 – 45.1 45.1 – 46.35  46.35 – 49 ≥49 
Side 
panels  Width  ≤32 32 – 32.7 32.7 – 33.5 33.5 – 35.2 ≥35.2  
Top 
width  ≤18.1  18.1 – 20.72  20.72 – 23.7 23.7 – 30 ≥ 30 
Bottom 
width  ≤28.6  28.6 – 29.88  29.88 – 30.91  30.91 – 33.5 ≥ 33.5  
Height  ≤28 28 – 30.2 30.2 – 32.9 32.9 – 38 ≥ 38 
 
Table 4 - Dimensions of accessories of  suit case type of travel bag  
SN Characteristics  
   Dimensions  Test Method  
1 Carrier mechanism,  
dimensions in cm  Bottom width  25 – 27.2 Annex A  
Top width  19 – 19.1 
Height 89 
2 Wheels dimension in 
cm Diameter  5.2 – 5.38 
Thickness  1.2 – 3.36 
3 Locks dimension in cm  Length  10.7 – 11.2 
Width  2.87 – 3.16  
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
5.Packing  
5.1 Unit Packaging  
Each handbag type of travelling bag shall be wrapped with suitable material which conform to TZS 
2709.  
5.2 Bulk Packaging  
The hand bag type of  travel bags shall be  wrapped with suitable material which conform to TZS 
2709.  
6 Marking  
6.1 Unit packages  
The following information shall indelibly have marked on a label sewn or marked at an appropriate 
position on the tra velling bag; 
a) Manufacturers name, address and registered trade mark;  
b) Name and description of the product;  
c) Batch number;  
d) Size code and dimensions in cm;  
e) Composition of the material of the  suitcase type of travel bag  
f) Country of origin .  
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.2 Bulk packages  Depth  0.15 – 1.5 
4 Piping, diameter ,in cm  0.3-0.6 
5 Tubes, diameter in cm  Width  1.82 – 3.2 
Thickness  1.13 – 2.47  
6 Shoulder strap, cm  Length  153 – 160 
 Width 2 – 4 
7 Buckle, cm  Length  3  - 5 
 Width 2 – 4 
8 Lifting handles, cm  Span  14 – 23.7 
 Depth  2.8 – 3.5  
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 The following information shall indelibly have labeled/printed on the bulk package;  
g)  Manufacturer's name, address and registered trade mark;  
h) Suit case type of travel bag  
i) Number of unit packages in the bulk package;  
j) Gross Mass;  
k) Batch number;  
l) County of origin.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 ANNEX A  
(Normative ) 
Determination of Dimensions  
 
A1 Determine the dimensions of the suit case as specified in A1, A2. A3 and A4 by use of a steel 
rule and Vernier calliper under standard laboratory testing conditions. For details See Figures 1, 2,3 
and 4  
 
A2 Apparatus  
Steel rule and Vernier calliper.  
 
A3 T esting Condition.  
The testing  condition  shall be done under the standard laboratory testing condition.  
 
A4 Suit case dimensions  
A4.1  Length  
A4.1.2  Width  
A4.1.3  Height  
A 5 Locks  
A5.1  Width  
A5.2  Length  
A5.3  Depth  
A 6 Carrier Assembly  
A6.1  Pulling handle Mechanism  
A6.1.1   Length  
A6.1.2   Width  
A6.2  Wheels  
A6.2.1   Diameter  
A6.2.2   Width  
A6.3  Tubes  
A6.3.1  Width  
A6.3.2 Thickness  
 
A7 Lifting handles  
A7.1  Span  
A7.2  Depth  
A8 Straps  
A8.1  Length  
A8.2  Width  
A9 Carrier assembly  
A9.1 Puling handle mechanism  
A9.1.1  Height  
A9.1.2  Width  
A10 Wheels  
A10.1  Diameter  
A10.2   Thickness   
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
Fig 1 – Hand bag type of travelling bag – Front view.  
 
Fig 2 – Hand bag type of travelling bag – Back View.  
 
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
 
 
 Fig 3 – Hand bag type of travelling bag – Side View.  
 
KEY 
H  -  Height   
W1  - Bottom width  
W2  - Top width  
L1  -  Bottom length  
L2    -  Top length  
 
 
 
 
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
ANNEX B  
(Normative ) 
Determination of Stitches per cm  
 
B1 Count the number of stitches along a seam length of known distance in centimetres and 
determine the number of stitches per centimetre.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
  
ANNEX C  
(Normative ) 
Drop test (Life Performance)  
 
C1 Procedure  
A handbag type  of travel ling bag of specified dimensions (see table C1) is loaded with re levant 
personal items of mass (5 – 14kg) collated with the size of bag. The loaded bag is dropped from the 
edge of a bench, 1-metre -high, to a flat floor. The drop test is repeated 10 times. After  the test, the 
tested bag is examined; the stitches and seams shall not open and the locks, handles and carrier 
assembly, shall not break or come out of their positions.  
 
Table C 1: Preferred suit case dimensions related to carrying capacity  
SN Back and fr ont panels, cm  
  Bottom panel, 
cm Top panel, cm   Side panels, cm  Carrying 
capacity 
kg 
Top length  Bottom 
length  height  Length  width  length  width  Bottom 
width  Top 
width  Height  
1 54 – 54.66  54 – 
55.1 25.5 – 
28.05  54.3 – 
55.77  56.1 – 
27.18  44 – 
45.1 32 – 
32.7 28.6 – 
29.68  18.1 – 
20.72  28 – 30.2 5 – 6.98 
 54.66 – 
55.41  55.1 – 
56.35  28.08 
– 
30.95  55.77 – 
57.45  27.18 – 
28.41  45.1 – 
46.35  32.7 – 
33.5 29.68 – 
30.91  29.68 – 
30.91  30.2 – 
32.9 6.98 – 
9.23 
 55.41 - 57 56.35 - 
59 30.95 
– 37.1 57.45 - 
61 28.41 – 
31 46.35 
- 49 33.5 – 
35.2 30.91 – 
33.5 30.91 – 
33.5 32.9 - 38 9.23 - 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
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©TBS 20 22 All right reserved                                                                      First  edition 202 2 
 ANNEX D  
(Normative ) 
HANDLE ATTACHMENT STRENGTH  
 
D1 The travel bag handle shall be securely  fixed  in an inverted position on a rigid support, leading 
the handle free for applying the load. The handle shall be suitably harnessed to distribute the load 
applied over the entire handle. A load of 100  N (10Kgf) shall be applied suddenly to the handle and 
repeated 10 times.  
D2 The weight may be applied either by means of a spring balance or weights, suitable placed on 
stirrup. During or after the test, the handles shall neither  be snapped nor loosened in fittings.