ICS 49.025.60  
 
Reference number  
DRS  314: 2021 
© RSB 2021  
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS 
314  
 
Second edition  
2021 -mm-dd 
 
Textiles — Tolerance requirements  
   
DRS  314: 2021  
©RSB 2021  - 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 2021  
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 reprodu ce 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   RS 314: 2021  
iii                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  2 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4 Permissible tolerances  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  2 
 DRS  314: 2021  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  iv 
 Foreword   
Rwanda Standard s are prepared  by Technical Committees and approved by R wanda 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 314 was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 029, Textile and leather technology . 
In the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following stan dard (s): 
SANS 977: 2003 Textile Tolerances  
The assistance de rived from the above source is hereby acknowledged with thanks.  
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.  
Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)  
University of Rwanda -College of Science and Technology (UR -CST)  
National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB)  
 Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Prot ection Authority (RICA)  
HeWorks Silk Rwanda Ltd  
Dokmai Rwanda Ltd  
GBF Leather and Art promoters Ltd  
 UTEXRWA Ltd  
LIXIL/SATO  
Rene Pharmacy  
ABAHIZI RWANDA Ltd  RS 314: 2021  
v                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) – Secretariat  
 
 
 
 DRS 314: 2021  
1                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Textiles — Tolerance requirements  
1 Scope   
This Rwanda Standard specifies tolerances for the following textiles:  
a) cotton hosiery yarn, combed and carded;  
b) cotton interlock piece goods;  
c) cotton sewing thread;  
d) footwear laces;  
e) hand -knitting yarns (worsted);  
f) hessian cloth;  
g) loomstate cotton duck;  
h) made -up articles (of woven cotton and similar piece goods);  
i) manila, sisal, coir, and cotton ropes;  
j) man-made fi bre ropes;  
k) men's half hose and three -quarter hose;  
l) narrow fabrics (elastic and non -elastic);  
m) polypropylene tape (on bobbins);  
n) surgical dressings;  
o) tarpaulins;  
p) warp -knitted piece goods;  
q) woven blankets (wool, wool blends and acrylic);  
r) woven cotton and similar piece goods (e.g. polyester -and-cotton blends and polyester -and- rayon 
blends);   
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 s) woven elastomeric fabrics;  
t) woven polypropylene tape fabrics;  
u) woven worsted piece goods, and similar piece goods (e.g. wool -and-polyester blends;  
v) woven woolen piece good s); and  
w) yarns and twines.  
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 undate d references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 8159 , Textiles -- Morphology of fibres and yarns – Vocabu lary. 
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in ISO 8159 and the following apply.  
3.1 
lot 
as defined in the relevant standard for the textile product  
3.2 
tolerance  
maximum or minimum extent to which a property is allowed to vary from a specified value when that property 
is determined in accordance with a specific method  
4 Permissible tolerances  
4.1 The permissible tolerances are as given in Table 1 to Table 23, as relevant.  
4.2 All tolerances given in thi s standard apply to properties assessed by tests carried out after conditioning 
of specimens in a standard atmosphere.  DRS 314: 2021  
3                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Table 1 — Woven  cotton and similar piece goods (e.g. polyester -and-cotton blends and polyester -and-
rayon blends)  
Property  Tolerance, %  
Average property of a lot  Property of individual piece in 
a lot 
width  +4 -1.2,+4  
Piece length  No minus tolerance on stated 
valuea -1.0 (of stated value)a 
Number of threads  
Per cm2 (warp and weft combined)  -5.0 Not applicable  
Per cm  
 
 Warp  Not applicable  -5.0,+10  
weft Not applicable  -5.0,+10  
Mass, m2 (free from non fibrous material)  -2.5,+7.5  -5,+10  
Breaking strength  
 
 Warp  -5.0 (-10)b -10 (-18)b 
weft -5.0 (-10)b -5c  (-18)b 
Filling content  +1 +2.5 
Dimensional changes on laundering  
 a)fabrics of mass less than 200 g/m2 
 
 warp  ±0.5d ±0.5 d 
weft ±0.5 d ±0.5 d 
b) fabrics of mass 200g/m2 or more  
 
 warp  ±0.5 d +1(of specified value) d 
weft ±0.5 d +1(of specified value) d 
a i.e. marked on the pieces  
b applicable only to fabrics  only for which a resin finish has been specified by the purchaser  
c Except that in the case of raised fabrics, the tolerance shall be -10 %  
d Instrumental reading tolerance  
 
   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  4 
 Table 2 — Cotton interlock piece goods  
Property  Tolerance, %  
Average property of a 
lot Property of individual 
piece in a lot  
Mass, m2 ±5 ±8 
Width  ±2.5 ±5 
 
Table 3 — Warp -knitted piece goods  
Property  Tolerance, %  
Average property of a lot  Property of individual piece 
in a lot  
Mass, m2 ±5 ±5 
Width  ±2.5 -1.5;+4  
Piece length  No minus tolerance on 
stated value a -2 (of stated value)a 
a i.e marked on the pieces  
 
Table 4 — Cotton hosiery yarn, combed and carded  
Property  Tolerance on average property of 
individual piece in a lot, %  
Linear density  ±5 
Skein breaking strength  -10 
Twist factor  +10 
unevenness  +10 
 
Table 5 — Cotton sewing thread  
Property  Tolerance, %  
Average property of a lot  Property of individual piece in 
a lot 
Length  -2 (of stated value)a  -4 (of stated value) a  
Linear density  ±4 ±6 
Breaking strength  No minus tolerance on stated 
value  -5 
Final folding twist  ±5 - 
a i.e marked on the pieces  DRS 314: 2021  
5                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Table 6 — Hand -knitting  yarns (worsted)  
Property  Tolerance on average property 
of individual pieces in a lot,%  
Linear density  ±5 
Twist factor  ±10a 
Wool  content of blended 
yarn ±3b 
a of specified range  
b of value marked on the packages  
 
Table 7 — Yarns and twines  
Property  Tolerance on average Property of a lot  %  
Unfinished yarns and 
twines  Polished twines  
Linear density  
 Jute ±10 ±5 
Flex, 
hemp, 
sisal ±5 ±5 
Table 8 — Man-made fibre ropes  
Property  Tolerance, %  
Average property of a lot  Property of individual 
piece in a lot  
Linear density  ±3.5 ±5 
circumference  - ±4 
 
   
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 Table 9 — Manilla, sisal, coir, and cotton ropes  
property  Tolerance on average property in 
a lot Tolerance on property of 
individual coils or rolls in a 
lot 
Manila, sisal, or 
cotton ropes  Coir ropes  Manila, sisal, 
or cotton 
ropes  Coir ropes  
Linear density, %  ±3.5 ±7 ±5 ±10 
Circumference, mm  
 Less than 50  - - +1.5 +6 
50 and over, but less than 75  - - +3 +10 
75 and over, but less than 100  - - +5 +13 
 100 and over, but less than 150  - - +6 +19 
150 and over, but less than 175  - - +10 +22 
175 and over, but less than 200  - - +13 +25 
200 and over, but less than 250  - - +16 +32 
250 and over, but less than 300  - - +19 +38 
300 and over, but less than 375  - - +25 +44 
375 and over, but less than 450  - - +32 +51 
450 and above  - - +38 +57 
 
Table 10 — Made -up articles (of woven cotton and similar piece goods)  
Property  Tolerance on property of individual articles  
Length and width a  
 Baby receiver  ±1.5 %  
Bed sheets  -1.5 %  
Bed spreads  -2 % 
Cotton dish cloths  -1.5 cm  
Cotton flannelette dusters  -2.5 cm  
Cotton table cloth, cotton table napkins  -1.5 %  
Curtains  ±1.5 %  
Duvet cover  ±2.0 %  
Fitted sheets, night frills, and fitted 
valances  ±1.5 %  
Floor cloths  -2.5 cm  
Huckaback towels  -1.5 %  
Kitchen cloths  -1.5 %  
Made up flags  -4 % DRS 314: 2021  
7                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Pillow cases  -2.5 %  
Table cloth  ±1.5 %  
Terry bath mats, terry  towels  -2.5 %  
Size of hem  
 Bed sheets; pillow cases  ±3 mmb 
Stitches per 10 cm  ±8 
a provided that the specified area of the made up article is maintained  
b on 2.5 cm hems 
 
Table 11 — Woven blankets (wool, wool blends and acrylic blends)  
Property  Tolerance,%  
Average property of a lot  Property of individual piece in a lot  
size +4 -2,+4 
Mass, m2 No minus tolerance on 
specified value  -2.5 
Number of threads per cm  
 Warp  total -5 -5 
weft -10 
Vegetable impurities in white blankets a +0.2 +0.2 
Fibre composition  
 All wool  -3 -3 
other  ±3 ±3 
Fibre diameter  ±5 ±5 
Dimensional change on laundering  
 Warp  No tolerance on specified value  +2 
weft +2 
a Applicable only when it is specified that the blankets are to be free from vegetable impurities  
Table 12 — Men's half hose and three -quarter hose: properties  
Property  Tolerance %  
Average property of a 
lot Property of individual pairs in a 
lot 
Mass per 10 pairs  ±3.5 ±5 
Foreign matter content  No tolerance on 
specified value  +2a 
Linear density of  splicing  ±10 ±10 
Wool content  -3 -3  
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 a provided that the average mass per 10 pairs is sufficient to compensate for the difference between the actual 
foreign matter content and the specified maximum  
 
Table 13 — Dimensions for Men's half hose and three -quarter hose  
Dimensions of  Tolerance, cm  
On length of a 
hose in a lot  On difference between 
hose in individual 
pairs  On individual 
hose  
Top and leg  
 a) wool hose  ±0.5 ±0.5 -1,+1.5  
b) wool/stretch 
hose  ±1 ±0.5 -1,+1.5  
Foot 
 a) wool hose  ±0.3 ±0.3 -0.5,+1  
b) wool/stretch hose  ±0.5 ±0.3 -1,+1.5  
 
Table 14 — Surgical dressings  
Property  Tolerance on average 
property of a lot  Tolerance on Property of individual 
pieces or packages in a lot  
Linear density of yarn, %  ±10 ±20 
Piece Width,  % a -2.5 (of stated value)b -5 (of stated value)b 
Piece length, % a -2.5 (of stated value)b -5 (of stated value)b 
Width of bandages  
 White open wove and unbleached and 
bleached calico, mm  -1 -2.5 
Crepe  
 Less than 100 mm, %  -10 -10 
100 mm and over,%  -5 -5 
Orthopaedic stockinette, %  -5 -10 
Length of bandages  
 White open wove and unbleached and  
bleached calico, cm  -5  -10 
Stretched length of crepe bandages, 
cm -5 10 
Length and width of absorbent gauze swabs, %  -15 c No tolerance specified  
Mass per square meter  
 Boric acid lint, %  -12.5 
No tolerance specified  
Absorbent lint, %  -10 
Orthopaedic stockinette, %  -5 -8 DRS 314: 2021  
9                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 White open wove bandages, %  -10 
No tolerance specified  Absorbent gauze,%  -15 
Butter muslin,%  -10 
Crepe bandages,%  -10 
Net mass of packages of cotton wool  No minus tolerance on 
stated value b +2 %(of stated value)b 
Number of threads per 10 cm  
 White open wove bandages, %  -5 -10 
Absorbent gauze, %  -10 -20 
Butter muslin, %  -5 -10 
Crepe bandages, %  -5 -10 
Lint (absorbent and Boric acid), %  -5 -10 
a applicable to absorbent gauze and butter muslin only  
b i.e. marked on pieces or packages  
c Provided that the specified area, i.e. the sum of the number of plies in and the length and width of the swabs specified by the 
purchaser, is maintained  
 
Table 15 — Loomstate cotton duck  
Property  Tolerance on average property of 
a lot Tolerance on Property of individual 
piece in a lot  
Width  +4 %  -0.8 cm,+4 %  
Piece length  No minus tolerance on stated value a -0.2 (of stated value)a 
Mass per square meter  No minus tolerance on specified 
value  -2.5 %  
Yarn ply  (+)b (+)b 
Breaking strength  
 Warp  No minus tolerance on the sum of 
the specified value  -5 % 
weft -5 % 
Dimensional changes on 
immersion in cold water, 
warp  No tolerance on specified value  +1 %c 
a i. e marked on the pieces  
b Yarns of higher ply will be permitted, provided that the resultant count is maintained  
c Provided that the sum of the weft and warp dimensional changes does not exceed the sum of the specified values  
 
Table 16 — Hessian  cloth  
Property  Tolerance,%  
Average property of a lot  Property of individual piece in a lot   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  10 
 width  +2.5 -1.5,+4  
Piece length  No minus tolerance on 
stated value a -0.2 (of stated value)a 
Number of threads per 10 cm  
 Warp  ±2.5 ±5 
weft ±2.5 ±10 
Mass per square meter  No minus tolerance on 
specified value  -5 
Breaking strength  
 Warp  No minus tolerance on 
specified value  -10 
weft -10 
a i.e. marked on the pieces  
 
Table 17 — Narrow  fabrics (non -elastic)  
Property  Tolerance,%  
Average property of a lot  Property of individual pieces 
in a lot  
Width ±5 ±5 
Piece length  No minus tolerance on 
stated value a -0.2 (of stated value)a 
Mass per 100 m  +10 -5;+10  
Breaking strength  No minus tolerance on 
specified value  -10 
a i.e. marked on the pieces  
 
Table 18 — Narrow fabrics (elastic)  
Property  Tolerance,%  
Average property of a 
lot Property of individual 
pieces in a lot  
Width  
 Up to 7 mm  ±20 ±20 
7 mm and above  ±12 ±12 
Piece length  ±5 (of stated value)a ±5 (of stated  value)a 
Mass per 100 m  ±10 ±10 
Linear density of rubber thread  -5 -5 
a i.e. marked on the pieces  DRS 314: 2021  
11                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
  
Table 19 — Footwear laces  
Property  Tolerance on property of individual laces in a 
lot,%  
Length  ±5 
Abrasion  -10 
 
Table 20 — Tarpaulins  
Property  Tolerance on property of 
individual tarpaulins in a lot,%  
Length and width  
 Less than 500 cm  -4 
500 cm and over, but less than 750 cm  -3 
750 cm and over  -2 
 
Table 21 — Polypropylene  tape on bobbins  
Property  Tolerance,%  
Average property of a 
lot Property of individual pieces in a 
lot 
Linear density  ±7.5 ±10 
Width ±5 ±10 
 
Table 22 — Woven polypropylene tape fabrics  
Property  Tolerance,%  
Average property of a 
lot Property of individual pieces 
in a lot  
Width +2;-1 +3;-2 
Mass, m2 ±5 ±10 
Piece length  -1.5 of stated value  -2.5 of stated value   
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Table 23 — Woven elastomeric fabrics  
Property  Tolerance, %  
average property of a lot  Property of individual piece in a 
lot 
Width  -2.0; +4.0  -5.0; +5.0  
Piece length  No tolerance on specified value  1.0 (of stated value)a 
Mass per square meter (free from non 
fibrous material)  -2.5; +7.5  -5.0b;+10.0  
Number of threads per cm  
 Warp  -2.5; +7.5  -5.0b;+10.0  
weft -2.5; +7.5  -5.0b;+10.0  
Breaking strength  
 Warp  -5.0 -10.0 
weft -5.0 -10.0 
Dimensional changes on laundering and ironing  
 Warp  -3.5; +3.5  -5.5; +5.5  
weft -5.0; +3.5  -7.0; +6.0  
Filling content  -1.5; +1.5  -3.0; +3.0  
a i.e marked on the pieces  
b Provided that the average width of the fabric of the pieces constituting the lot is sufficiently in excess of the specified minimum width 
to compensate for the lower mass per square meter (free from non fibrous material and the lower number of warp threads per ce ntimeter  
 DRS  314: 2021  
 
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