ICS 61.020  
 
Reference number  
DRS 500 -1: 202 2 
© RSB 202 2 
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS 
500-1  
 
First edition  
2022 -mm-dd 
 
Textiles — Garments — Specification — 
Part 1: General requirements  
   
DRS 500 -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 500 -1: 2022  
iii                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
4 Fabric requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  3 
4.1 Fabric structure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 3 
4.2 Fibre composition and proportion  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 3 
4.3 Fabric defects  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  3 
4.4 Restricted colourants ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  4 
4.5 Mass per unit area  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 4 
5 Garment re quirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  4 
5.1 Workmanship  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  4 
5.2 Labelling requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  5 
5.3 Phys ical and chemical requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 5 
5.4 Freedom from phthalates  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  6 
5.5 Size designation and dimensions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
6 Ancillaries  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  6 
6.1 Eyelets and  hooks  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 6 
6.2 Linings and  interlinings  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
6.3 Zippers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  7 
6.4 Head  and neck  drawstrings  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  7 
7 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
8 Sampling and criteria for  conformity  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
Annex  A (normative)  Determination of the presence of starch  ................................ ................................ .... 9 
A.1 Test Specimens  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 9 
A.2 Procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  9 
A.3 Report  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  9 
Annex  B (informative)  Position of labels on garments  ................................ ................................ ...............  10 
 DRS 500 -1: 2022  
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 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 
adop ted by Technical committ ees are ratified  by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and 
gazettment as Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 500 -1 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 029, Textile and Leather Technology . 
DRS 500 consists of the following parts, under the general title Textiles — Garments — Specification : 
⎯ Part 1: General requirements  
⎯ Part 2: Shirts  
⎯ Part 3: Trousers and shorts  
⎯ Part 4: Skirts and dresses  
⎯ Part 5: Jacket  
Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented 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)  DRS 500 -1: 2022  
v                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 UTEXRWA Ltd  
Rwanda  Standards Board  (RSB) – Secretariat  DRS 500 -1: 2022  
1                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 Textiles — Garments — Part 1: General requirements  
1 Scope   
This Working Draft specifies general requirements, sampling and test methods for garments, whether made of 
textile, plastic -coated fabric, fur or any combination of these materials.  
Requirements for specific garments are specified in the relevant parts of DRS 500  
This draft Standard does not apply to personal protective wear  
NOTE  Where provisions are specified in the specific parts of DRS 500 or any other relevant Rwanda Standard, these 
shall supersede the requirements in this Working Draft.  
2 Normative references  
The following documents are ref erred 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 references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amend ments) applies.  
ARS 1569, The labelling and marking of textiles and household textile articles  
EAS 223, Zippers — Specification  
RS ISO 105 -C06, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C06: Colour fastness to domestic and 
commercial laundering  
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, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C10: Colour fastness to washing with soap or 
soap and soda  
RS ISO 1 05-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 US ISO 1833 
(all parts), Textiles — Binary fibre mixtures — Quantitative ch emical analysis  
RS ISO 105 -X11, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X11: Colour fastness to hot pressing   
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 RS ISO 105 -B01, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B01: Colour fastness to light: Daylight  
RS ISO 1833, Textiles — Quantitative chemical analysis  
RS ISO 3071, T extile materials — Method for determination of pH value of aqueous extracts  
RS ISO 3801, Textiles — Woven fabrics — Determination of mass per unit length and mass per unit area  
RS ISO 5077, Textiles — Determinat ion of dimensional change in washing and drying  
ISO 6330, Textiles — Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing  
RS ISO 8498 , Woven fabrics — Description of defects — Vocabulary  
RS ISO 8499 , Knitted fabrics — Description of defects — Vocabul ary 
RS ISO 9073 -1, Textiles — Test methods for nonwovens — Part 1: Determination of mass per unit area  
RS ISO 13934 -1, Textiles — Tensile properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of maximum force and 
elongation at maximum force using the strip method  
RS ISO 13935 -1, Textiles — Seam tensile properties of fabrics and made -up textile articles — Part 1: 
Determination of maximum force to seam rupture using the strip method  
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 certai n azo colorants accessible with and without extracting the fibres  
ISO 14389, Textiles — Determination of the phthalate content — Tetrahydrofuran method  
ISO 15797, Textiles — Industrial washing and finishing procedures for testing of workwea r 
ISO 16373 -1, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 1: General principles of testing coloured textiles for dyestuff 
identification  DRS 500 -1: 2022  
3                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 ISO 16373 -2, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 2: General method for the determination of extractable dyestuffs 
including allergenic and carcinogenic dyestu ffs (method using pyridine -water)  
ISO 16373 -3, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 3: Method for determination of certain carcinogenic dyestuffs 
(method using triethylamine/methanol)  
RS ISO 22198 , Textiles — Fabrics — Determination of width and length  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this standard, the follow ing terms and definitions apply.  
garment  
item of clothing  
4 Fabric requirements  
4.1 Fabric structure  
Garments shall be tailored out of any of the following fabrics or their combinations:  
a) woven fabrics;  
b) knitted fabrics; and  
c) non-woven fabrics  
4.2 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.  
4.3 Fabric de fects  
The fabric shall be free from objectionable flaws including the following:  
a) float;  
b) bar due to difference in raw material, count, twist, lustre, colour shade or spacing of adjacent group 
of threads;  
c) slub or slubby yarn or gout;  
d) printing or dyeing defec t or broken pattern;   
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 e) missing threads extending over 10 cm  
f) any other defect described in RS ISO 8498 and RS ISO 8499, which may significantly mar the 
appearance or affect the serviceability or durability of the garment  
4.4  Restricted colourants  
4.4.1  The fabri cs used to make garments shall be free from aromatic amines when tested in accordance 
with ISO 14362 -1 and ISO 14362 -3.  
4.4.2  The dyed fabrics shall be free from carcinogenic dyestuffs when tested in accordance with ISO 
16373 -2 and ISO 16373 -3. 
4.4.3  Dyestuff classes shall be identified in accordance with ISO 16373 -1.  
4.5  Mass per unit area  
The mass per unit area shall be as declared on the label, subject to a tolerance of ± 5 % when tested in 
accordance with either RS ISO 3801 or RS ISO 9073 -1 
5 Garment r equirements  
5.1  Workmanship  
5.1.1  Garments  shall be cut and made with first -class workmanship throughout and shall be free from 
defects that affect their appearance or their serviceability (or both), and from marks, spots and stains incurred 
in the making up.  
5.1.2  Seams shall be smooth and all s titching uniform.  
5.1.3  Seams and stitc hing shall be free from twists and pleats and shall be sufficiently extensible to obviate 
seam cracking and undue shrinkage in use.  Stitches shall present a regular even appearance without fabric 
pucker and shall be  free from skips that may result from faulty machine thread tension or other stitching 
malfunction.  
5.1.4  All ends of sewing that are not secured in seams or in other sewing shall be  securely backstitched . 
All ends of sewing shall have been trimmed and loo se threads removed.  
5.1.5   All seams shall have a width of not less than 1 cm.  
5.1.6 Garments  shall be of uniform and acceptable make, colour and finish, and the matching of the 
shades o f the component parts of a garment  shall be such as to be acceptable.  
   
 DRS 500 -1: 2022  
5                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 5.2 Labelling requirements  
5.2.1  Upon visual examination, the label shall comply with ARS 1569.  
5.2.2  Any person or organization that imports, manufactures or distributes garments (retail and/or bulk) 
shall be responsible for ensuring that the content of labels complies with the requirements of this standard and 
the information is true, correct and not misleading.  
5.2.3  All labels bearing the required information shall be attached to the garment at such position (s) which 
are clearly visible or accessible for examination by the prospective purchaser.  
NOTE 1  The recommended positions for the attachment of labels on garments are given in Annex B  
NOTE 2  The positions (s) of attachment of labels on garments should be selected so that the label(s) wil l cause 
minimal discomfort to the wearer.  
5.2.4  Where a garment is packaged, folded or displayed in such a way that it may be opened and reclosed 
with care and still be fit for display purposes, the labels of garments contained therein shall be accessible.  
5.2.5  Where the opening and reclosing of the package may result in the garment or the package being 
unfit for display purposes, the labelling information required by this standard, on label(s) which are not visible, 
shall also be provided on the package.  
NOTE  The package that is referenced in this clause is the one which contains the garment.  
5.2.6  For garments and other articles where it is not practicable to attach the labels directly onto the items, 
all the required information in accordance with this s tandard shall be clearly and prominently displayed on the 
package  
5.3 Physical and chemical requirements  
The garment, or fabrics used for the manufacture of garments shall conform to the requirements given in 
Table 1 , when tested in accordance with the test methods specified therein.  
Table 1 — Physical and chemical requirements of garments  
Parameter  Requirement  Test method  
Dimensional change, %  Woven fabrics  Cotton  and cotton 
blends  ± 3.0  RS ISO 6330  
(domestic  washing), 
or ISO 15797  
(industrial  laundries) 
or RS ISO 5077  Wool and wool blends  ± 2.0  
Synthetic fibres  ± 2.0  
Bed linen and towels  ± 8.0  
 Knitted fabrics  Jersey  ± 4.0  
Chunky knit  ± 6.0  
Interlock  ± 5.0  
Socks and hosiery  ± 8.0   
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 Washing colour fastness  (colour change and staining), min.  4 RS ISO 105 -C06 
Perspiration colour fastness (colour change and staining), min.  4 RS ISO 105 -E04 
Dry rubbing colour fastness, min.  4 RS ISO 105 -X12 
Wet rubbing colour fastness, min.  4 RS ISO 105 -X12 
Hot pressing colour fastness  4 RS ISO 105 -X11 
Light colour fastness  5 RS ISO 105 -B02 
Seam strength, N, min.  100 RS ISO 13935 -1 
pH value of aqueous extract  6 - 8 RS ISO 3071  
 
5.4 Freedom from phthalates  
Where coatings, laminates, plastisol printing, plastic accessories and membranes are incorporated into textile 
structures, they shall not contain the following phthalates when tested in accordance with ISO 14389  
a) DEHP (Bis -(2-ethylhexyl) -phthalate  
b) BBP (Butylbenzylphthalate)  
c) DBP (Dibutylphthalate)  
d) DMEP ( Bis2-methoxyethyl) phthalate  
e) DIBP  (Diisobutylphthalate)  
f) DIHP (D i-C6-8-branched  alkyphthalate)  
g) DHNUP (Di -C7-11-branched alkyphthalates)  
h) DHP (Di -n-hexylphthalate)  
5.5  Size designation and dimensions  
The dimensions of the garments shall be as declared on the label, subject to a tolerance of ± 1.5 cm when 
tested in accordance with RS ISO 22198.  
6 Ancillaries  
6.1 Eyelets and  hooks  
Eyelets and hooks shall be  rust-proof  DRS 500 -1: 2022  
7                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 6.2 Linings and  interlinings  
6.2.1  Linings and interlinings used for pockets and waistbands shall have characteristics of colourfastness 
and dimensional stability similar to those of the base  fabric.  
6.2.2  The characteristics of the interlinings and linings shall conform to Table  2 when tes ted in accordance 
with the test method specified therein.  
Table 2 — Specific requirements for lining and  interlinings for apparel purposes  
Parameter  Requirement  Test method  
Interlinings  Linings  
Mass per unit area, 
g/m2 90 - 210 65 min.  RS ISO 3801  
Starch  Nil Nil Annex A  
Breaking load (for 
both warp and weft 
directions), N,  min. 111 100 RS ISO 13934 -1 
6.3 Zippers  
Zippers shall conform to the requirements of EAS 223.  
6.4 Head  and neck  drawstrings  
6.4.1  Hood and neck area on children’s upper outerwear shall be free from drawstrings in sizes 2 years 
through  10 years.  Alternative  closures  such  as snaps,  buttons,  and Velcro  shall be used.  If fully retractable 
drawstrings are used, they shall completely and automatically retract into the garment after being adjusted 
and released.  
6.4.2  Drawstrings at the waist or bottom of upper outerwear in sizes 2 years to 10 shall not exceed 75mm in 
length outside drawstring  channel.  
6.4.3  Drawstrings in children outer wear of sizes 2 years to 10 years that are one continuous string shall be 
bar tacked to prevent the drawstring from being pulled through its  channel.  
7  Packaging  
Garments shall be packaged in such a way so as to avoid soiling in storage as well as transit.  
8 Sampling and criteria for  conformity  
8.1 Garments of the same size delivered to a buyer against one despatch note shall constitute a lot.  
8.2 The conformity of a lot to the r equirements of this standard shall be determined on the basis of the tests 
carried out on the samples selected from the lot.   
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 8.3 The number of garments to be selected for sampling shall be in accordance with Table 3.  
Table 3 — Sampling plan  
 
Number of garments in the 
lot Number of garments to be tested  
≤ 50 5 
51 - 150 8 
151 - 300 13 
301 - 500 20 
501 – 1 000  48 
≥ 1 001  50 
 
 DRS 500 -1: 2022  
9                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  A 
(normative ) 
 
Determination of the presence of starch  
A.1 Test Specimens  
From the sample under analysis, cut a piece weighing about 10 g and s hred the piece into small bits and mix 
them thoroughly. Draw from the shredded pieces a test specimen of 5 g.  
A.2 Procedure  
Boil the test specimen in about 200 mL of distilled water in a conical flask for about 45 min. Cool the contents 
in the flask. Put a drop of iodine solution on a small quantity taken from the flask.  
A.3  Report  
Observe whether there is any appearance of blue colour. Take the material to be free from all starch if no blue 
colour is observed  
 
. 
   
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 Annex  B 
(informative ) 
 
Position of labels on garments  
 
Tables B.1, B.2 and B.3 list the attachment positions on garments for labels that are considered to be 
accessible to the prospective purchaser. The alternative positions are given to allow the attachment of labels 
so that they do not cause discomfort to th e wearer.  
Table B.1 — Garments for women and girls  
 
Table B.2 — Garments for men and boys  
Garment  Recommended position of labels  
Coats, suits, sports jackets  On the inside of a breast pocket, or on the front facing or lining, or 
at the top centre back of the garment  Garment  Recommended position of labels  
Coats, jackets, suits  On the inside front facing or at the top centre back of the garment  
Dresses  At the top back of the garment where design permits, or in a side seam adjacent to 
the hem  
Blouses /shirts /tops   In a side seam adjacent to the hem or at the top centre back of the garment  
Skirts  At the centre back of the waistband or in a side seam adjacent to the hem  
Slacks, ski pants and 
shorts  At the centre back of the waistband or on the inside of the garment on the outside of 
the pocket lining, or in the middle of a hip pocket or at the top of the centre back 
seam  
Underwear  Upper or whole body – in a side seam near the bust line, at the top centre back of 
the garment or at the centre back of the hem.  
Lower body – in a side seam or waist band  
Swimwear  One piece – in a side seam or centre back  
Two piece – as for underwear  
Corsetry, bra, bustier  On one side of the back  
Elastic girdles and panty 
girdles, corselets  At the top centre back of the garment or in a side seam  
Non-elastic corselet 
suspender belt  At the bottom edge of the back  DRS 500 -1: 2022  
11                ©RSB 2022  - All rights reserved  
 Overalls  At the top centre back of the garment  
Bib and brace overalls  On the inside of the bib  
Slacks, ski -pants and shorts  At the centre back of the waistband, or on the inside of the garment 
on the outside of the pocket lining, or in the middle of the top of a 
hip pocket or at the top of the centre back seam  
Shirts/tops  At the top centre back of the garment or in a side seam adjace nt to 
the hem  
Underpants  At the centre back of the waistband or at a side  
Vests  At the top centre back of the garment or at the centre back of the 
hem 
Swimwear:  At the centre back of the waist or at the top of a side seam  
Ties On the back or in the seam of the wide end or in the seam at the 
back of the narrow end  
Table B.3 — Garments for men, women and children  
Garment  Recommended position of labels  
Pants/trousers  At the centre back of the waistband  
Pullovers, cardigans, ski -
wear, knitted jackets, 
windbreakers, anoraks   
 
 
 
At the centre back at the top of the garment or in a side seam adjacent 
to the hem  Sports wear  
Nightwear for women, men 
and children  
Dressing gowns  
House coats, bath robes  
Baby’s layette  For garments with side seam – in one seam or at the centre back of 
the top of the garment.  
For garments without side seams – in the hem or in a shoulder seam  
Scarves  In one corner of the hem  
 
 
 
 
 
  
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 Bibliography  
[1] DUS 1970 -1:2021, Textiles — Garments — Part 1: General requirements (First edition)   
 
 
 
 DRS 500 -1: 2022  
 
Price based on  nnn pages  
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