ICS 03.160  
 
Reference number  
DRS 309: 202 1 
© RSB 202 1 
  
 RWANDA 
STANDARD  DRS 
309  
 
Second edition  
2021 -mm-dd 
 
Rwanda National Flag — Specification  
   
DRS 309: 202 1 
©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   DRS 309: 202 1 
iii                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  v 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
4.1 Design  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  3 
4.1.1  Types  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  3 
4.1.2  Proportions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  5 
4.2 Workmanship  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  5 
5 Specific requirements for large flags  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 6 
5.1 Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  6 
5.1.1  Flag material  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
5.1.2  Heading/sleeve  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
5.1.3  Toggles  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  6 
5.1.4  Snap hooks (se cured by sewn -down loop)  ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
5.1.5  Hoist cords  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  6 
5.1.6  Threads  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  6 
5.2 Size and dimensions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  7 
5.3 Make  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
5.3.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  7 
5.3.2  Hems  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  7 
5.3.3  Heading/sleeve and  hoist cords  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  7 
5.4 Stitches, seams and stitchings  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  7 
5.4.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  7 
5.4.2  Stitches  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  8 
5.4.3  Seams  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  8 
5.4.4  Stitchings  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  8 
5.4.5  Number of st itches  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  8 
5.5 Marking and labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  8 
5.6 Care labeling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  8 
5.7 Additional m arking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  9 
6 Specific requirements for small flags  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 9 
6.1 Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  9 
6.1.1  Flag material  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  9 
6.1.2  Pole, base and finial  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  9 
6.1.3  Fastening pins  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 9 
6.1.4  Halyards  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  9 
6.1.5  Sewing threads  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 9 
6.2 Make  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  9 
6.2.1  Flag ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  9 
6.2.2  Flagstaff  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  9 
6.3 Stitches and stitchings  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  10 
6.3.1  Stitches  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  10 
6.3.2  Stitchings  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  10 
6.3.3  Number of stitches  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  10 
6.4 Marking and labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  10 
6.5 Care labeling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  10 
6.6 Additional m arking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  10 DRS 309: 202 1 
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  iv 
 7 Specific requirements for National Flag Medal Badge  ................................ ................................ ... 10 
7.1 Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  10 
7.1.1  Flag material  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  10 
7.1.2  Fastening pins  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 10 
7.1.3  Coat adherence  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 11 
7.2 Make  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  11 
7.2.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  11 
7.2.2  Flag ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  11 
8 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  11 
Annex  A (normative)  Notes to purchasers and users  ................................ ................................ .................  12 
Annex  B (informative)  T he flying and use of the flag  ................................ ................................ .................  13 
Annex  C (normative)  Quality verification of National Flags  ................................ ................................ ....... 14 
C.1 Quality verification ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  14 
C.2 Assessment of compliance with this standard  ................................ ................................ ...............  14 
C.2.1  Sampling procedure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  14 
C.2.2  Criteria of compliance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  15 
Annex  D (normative)   Details of types of Stitches, Seams and Stitching  ................................ .................  16 
D.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  16 
D.2 Stiches  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  16 
D.2.1  Stitch type 204 (hand felling stitch)  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 16 
D.2.2  Stitch type 301 (single needle lock stitch)  ................................ ................................ .......................  16 
D.2.3  Stitch type 304 (zigzag  lock stitch)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 17 
D.3 Stiching  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  17 
D.3.1  EFb ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  17 
D.3.2  EFa ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  18 
D.4 Seams  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  18 
D.4.1  LSe ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  18 
D.4.2  LSc ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  18 
D.4.3  SSa ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  20 
D.4.4  LScf  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  20 
D.4.5  BSa ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  20 
Annex  E (normative)  Textile tolerances  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 21 
 DRS 309: 202 1 
v                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 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 sta ndards.  
The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards.  Final Draft Rwanda S tandards 
adopted by Technical committ ees are ratified  by me mbers of RSB Board of Director s for publication and 
gazettment as Rwanda Standards.  
DRS 309 was p repared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 029, Textile and leather technology . 
Committee membership  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Title of TC  (RSB/TC nnn) 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 Protection Authority (RICA)  
HeWorks Silk Rwanda Ltd  
Dokmai Rwanda Ltd  
GBF Leather and Art promoters Ltd  
 UTEXRWA Ltd  
LIXIL/SATO  
Rene Pharmacy  
ABAHIZI RWANDA  Ltd 
Rwanda  Standards Board  (RSB) – Secretariat  
  DRS 309: 202 1 
1                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Rwanda National Flag — Specification  
1 Scope   
This Rwanda Standard covers the material, design and constructional requirements, methods of testing and 
sampling for all types of the National Flag of the Republic of Rwanda.  
2 Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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.  
ISO 105 -B02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B02: Colour fastness to artificial light: Xenon arc 
fading lamp test.  
ISO 105 -X16, Textiles —Tests for colour fastness — Part X16: Colour fastness to rubbing — Small areas.  
ISO 2062,  Textiles — Yarns from packages —Determination of single -end breaking force and elongation at 
break .  
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 15184, Paints and varnishes —Determination of film hardness by pencil test  
RS ISO 2859 -1, Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes -- Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by 
acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot -by-lot inspection.  
3 Terms and defi nitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:  
3.1 
acceptable  
acceptable to a competent authority or to the parties concluding the purchase contract, as relevant  
3.2 
base  
pedestal for the pole of a desk flag and, when  relevant, for the pole of a hand -held flag  
3.3 
desk flag  
flag complete with pole, finial and base   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  2 
 3.4 
external flag  
flag that is intended for flying on a flagpole and that is subject to weathering  
3.5 
finial  
ornamental termination at the top of a flagpole  
3.6 
fly 
free end of a flag  
3.7 
halyard  
continuous loop of cord for attaching a desk flag to a pole  
3.8 
hand -held flag  
flag complete with a pole, and that may have a base or a finial (or both)  
3.9 
heading/sleeve  
sleeve attached to or formed at the pole end  of a flag:  
a) that carries the hoist cord or clip fasteners of external flags and the halyard or pole of a desk flag, and  
b) into which the pole of a hand -held flag is inserted.  
3.10 
width  
dimension of the flag parallel to the flagpole  
3.11 
hoist  
pole end of the flag  
3.12 
hoist cord  
length of cord that is sewn into the heading/sleeve of a flag  
3.14 
nominal  
subject to the tolerances normal to good manufacturing practice  DRS 309: 202 1 
3                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 3.15 
toggle  
pin that forms a cross -piece through the eye at the top of the hoist cord  
3.16 
length  
dimension of the flag perpendicular to the flagpole  
3.17 
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL)  
quality level that is the worst tolerable process average when a continuing series of lots is submitted for 
acceptance sampling  
3.18 
defective  
A flag, a component of a flag, a test sample, a test specimen or a set of test specimens whose property has 
been determined, that fails in one or more respects to comply with the relevant requirements of this standard  
3.19 
lot 
Not less than 26 and not more than 3 20 0 flags of the same type, size designation, material(s), and 
components, made by one manufacturer, and submitted at any one time for inspection and testing  
3.20 
Hook  
piece of fiber curved or bent back at an angle, for catching, holding or hanging a flag  
4 General requirements  
4.1 Design  
4.1.1  Types  
A flag shall be one of three types and the design of each type as illustrated in Figure 1 and the dimensions as 
per Table 1:  
a) large flag;  
b) small flag; and  
c) medal flag.   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  4 
  
Figure 1 — Design of the National Flag  
Key:  
A 0.1 X  
B 1/3 D  
C A 
D 0.125 Y  
Y 1.5 X  
Z X/2  
W = U  Z/2 
Table 1 — Dimensions of the flag  
Dimension 
characteristics  Large flag/cm  Small flag/cm  Medal/cm  
outdoor  Indoor  ceremonial  
A 13 13 15 2 - 
B 14 14 16 2.2 - 
C 13 13 15 2 - 
D 42 42 48.5 6.5 - 
X 130 130 150 20 1.4 
Y 195 195 225 30 2.1 
Z 65 65 75 10 - 
DRS 309: 202 1 
5                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 W 32.5 32.5 32.5 5 - 
U 32.5 32.5 32.5 5 - 
Strands  - 6 15 4 - 
Blue ring 
thickness/mm  10 10 11.5 0.8  
 
4.1.2  Proportions  
The flags shall be made to the dimensions given in Table 1 and, for all types  of flags, the ratio of the length to 
the width shall be 3:2. The National Flag shall be made up of three (3) colours: green, yellow and blue. The 
flag shall be as follows from the bottom to the top: a green strip, followed by a yellow strip both of which shall 
cover half the flag.  
The upper half shall be blue and shall bear on its right hand side, the image of the sun with its rays of golden 
yellow. The rays shall be 24 and shall be separated from the sun by a blue band. The dimensions of the flags, 
of an y type, shall be as given in Table 1 and the tolerances shall be as per Annex E.  
4.1.3  Colours  
4.1.3.1  The colours of the National Flag shall be as follows:  
a) blue: Pantene 299 C 2x;  
b) green: RAL 6029;  
c) yellow: RAL 1023; and  
d) golden Yellow: RAL 1003  
4.1.3.2  The colours of the flag shall so conform to the appropriate colour standards that any difference 
between the colour of a dyed or printed fabric or other material and the corresponding required colour is not 
greater than 3 -4 on the international grey scale for the assessment of change in colour.  
4.1.3.3  The colours of the screen printing shall be such that the outlines are clearly defined on the flag 
and, in the case of flags that will be subjected to weathering, have a colour fastness to water and to 
weathering  not lower than 4 -5. In addition, the colour fastness to rubbing, determined in accordance with ISO 
105-X16, of the printing on bunting shall be not lower than 4 in the case of dry rubbing and not lower than 3 in 
the case of wet rubbing.  
4.1.3.4  In the cas e of printed flags intended for internal display, e.g. desk flags, the colour fastness of 
each colour to light, determined in accordance with ISO 105 -B02, shall be not lower than 5.  
4.2 Workmanship  
Each flag shall be cut and made with first -class workmanship t hroughout and shall be free from defects that 
affect its appearance or might affect its serviceability (or both), and from marks, spots and stains incurred in 
the making up. All seams shall be smooth and all stitching uniform. Seams and stitching shall be free from 
twists, pleats and puckers, and shall be sufficiently extensible to obviate seam cracking and undue shrinkage 
in use. All ends of sewing shall have been trimmed and loose threads removed and all ends of sewing that are 
not secured in seams or in other stitching shall be adequately backtacked. The flags shall be of uniform and 
acceptable make, colours and finish.   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  6 
 5 Specific requirements for large flags  
5.1 Materials  
5.1.1  Flag material  
The material shall be 100 % polyester for an Ordinary National Flag.  
5.1.2  Headin g/sleeve  
The heading/sleeve fabrics shall be of the following:  
a) made from the flag material;  
b) a 100 % polyester multifilament webbing that has a finished width and thickness of 25 mm and 1.5 mm 
respectively, with a double plain weave binding, front and back. The number of weft threads shall be 232 
per 10 cm and the number of warp threads in the ful l width shall be 110 for the ground warp, 10 for the 
binders and 44 for the stuffers. The webbing shall, when tested in accordance with ISO 13934 -1, have a 
full-width breaking strength of at least 3 000 N and a mass of between 21 g and 30 g per metre lengt h. 
The selvedge shall be such that it cannot become unravelled in use. Each end of the webbing shall be 
fitted with a snap hook that is injection -moulded directly onto the webbing. The hook shall be made from 
polyoxymethylene (POM) and designed with a feat ure to prevent the hook from accidentally disengaging.  
5.1.3  Toggles  
Each toggle shall be made from a piece of hardwood or shall be of a plastics material and shall be free from 
defects. The surfaces shall be smooth and wooden toggles shall be free from splinte rs. The nominal finished 
length of a toggle shall be 60 mm.  
5.1.4  Snap hooks (secured by sewn -down loop)  
A snap hook shall be made from nylon 66 material of nominal thickness 5 mm and shall be designed with a 
feature to prevent the tongue from accidentally disen gaging.  
5.1.5  Hoist cords  
The hoist cord for a flag shall be round braid made from cotton, or from nylon or other synthetic fibre. The cord 
shall have a nominal diameter of 5 mm and, when tested in accordance with ISO 2062, shall have a breaking 
strength of at l east 1 250 N in the case of a cotton cord and at least 3 000 N in the case of a synthetic cord.  
5.1.6  Threads  
The sewing threads for the hems and heading/sleeve shall be an acceptable match to the blue bunting. The 
threads shall be as follows:  
a) sewing thread: a polyester -and-cotton core -spun thread, ticket No. 80, or a staple polyester thread, ticket 
No. 60, and  
b) cord-sewing thread and cord -whipping thread: a core -spun or staple polyester thread, ticket No. 20  DRS 309: 202 1 
7                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 5.2 Size and dimensions  
Unless otherwise required (see Ann ex A) as obtained from the Law, the flags shall be of one of the sizes 
given in Table 1 as specified in the order or contract, and the flag dimensions shall conform to the appropriate 
values given in columns 2, 3 and 4 of Table 1.  
NOTE  Unless inconsistent with the text, all measurements are nominal.  
5.3 Make  
5.3.1  General  
The design of the flag shall be printed, using disperse dyes, with the design being clearly defined on both 
sides of the flag. The width shall be cut in the warp direction of the fabric. The fly and  the top and bottom 
edges of the flag shall be hemmed and a tolerance of ± 2 % shall be allowed on the dimensions of the 
differently coloured sections of the flag.  
5.3.2  Hems  
The fly and edges at the top and bottom of a flag, shall have been turned in 10 mm and turned over 10 mm 
(i.e. the finished width of a hem shall be 10 mm). Hems shall be securely stitched with two rows of stitches, 
one 3 mm and the other 9 mm from the outer edge of the flag, and the ends of each hem shall be securely 
box-stitched. The hem of  the fly shall, in addition, have a row of zig -zag stitching as near to the inner edge of 
the hem as is practicable.  
5.3.3  Heading/sleeve and hoist cords  
5.3.3.1  The heading/sleeve shall be attached at the pole end of the flag and shall have a finished width of 50 
mm. The heading/sleeve shall be formed by a strip of fabric folded double, with the hoist cord (see 5.1.5) 
inserted into and held against the fold by one row of stitching close to the cord.  
5.3.3.2  The cord shall be firmly secured to the heading/ sleev e at the top, centre and bottom by stitching that 
penetrates through the cord and fabric, with the top to be locked as well in the opposite direction.  
5.3.3.3  The centre and bottom stitching may be machine -tacked. A toggle (see 5.1.3) shall be secured in the 
eye at the top end of the hoist cord and the loop at the bottom end shall have a finished length of 50 mm and 
shall be secured with thread (see 5.1.6 b)) or spliced.  
5.3.3.4  The ends of the cord shall be securely heat sealed, or whipped with thread (s ee 5.1.6 b)). The edges 
of the heading/sleeve shall be turned in 6 mm and the pole end of the flag shall be inserted to a depth of 20 
mm and stitched down with two rows of stitching, one 1 mm and the other 7 mm from the turned -in edge of the 
heading/sleeve . The ends of the heading/sleeve shall be turned in 6 mm (in line with the top and bottom 
edges of the flag) and secured with one row of stitching 3 mm from the turned -in edge.  
5.4 Stitches, seams and stitchings  
5.4.1  General  
Sewing shall be in accordance with Annex  D.  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  8 
 5.4.2  Stitches  
The stitches used shall be as follows:  
a) seaming and hemming: stitch type 301;  
b) zig-zag on fly hem: stitch type 304; and  
c) top tack of heading/sleeve: stitch type 204.  
5.4.3  Seams  
Seams shall be at least 8 mm wide and shall be as  follows:  
a) attaching the f lag to the heading/sleeve: seam type LSe -2 or type LScf -3; 
b) in the case of narrow woven fabric or webbing, type BSa -2. (see Annex D)  
5.4.4  Stitchings  
Stitching of hems shall be stitching type EFb -2. 
5.4.5  Number of stitches  
The number of stitches shall be as follows:  
a) for stitch type 301 and 204: 40 ± 4 per 10 cm; and  
b) for cross -stitches through cord: 4 per 5 cm.  
5.5 Marking and labelling  
5.5.1  Each flag shall have a printed label that is securely attached on one side of the heading/sleeve and it 
shall bear the following inf ormation in legible letters:  
a) manufacturer's name or trademark (or both);  
b) size of the flag;  
c) fibre composition of the bunting fabric; and  
d) year of manufacture.  
5.5.2  The marking shall be made with an acceptable black indelible ink.  
5.6 Care labeling  
When so requ ired (see Annex A), the printed label (see 5.5) shall provide correct and appropriate care 
instructions. All printed labels and their markings shall be such that they outlast the flags.  DRS 309: 202 1 
9                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 5.7 Additional marking  
When so required (see Annex A), the flags shall bea r information additional to that specified in 5.5.and 5.6.  
6 Specific requirements for small flags  
6.1 Materials  
6.1.1  Flag material  
The flag shall be 100 % polyester and the printing shall be clear and well defined on both sides of the flag.  
6.1.2  Pole, base and finial  
The pole, base and finial shall be of a wood that is free from defects and essentially straight grained, or of an 
acceptable metal, plastics or other suitable material. All materials shall have an acceptable finish.  
6.1.3  Fastening pins  
The fastening pins shall be of a corrosion -resistant metal, have a smooth finish and be so designed as to 
permit the hoisting and lowering of the flag.  
6.1.4  Halyards  
The halyards shall be of an acceptable two -ply or three -ply cotton or synthetic twine.  
6.1.5  Sewing threads  
The sewing thread sha ll be a white polyester -and-cotton core -spun thread or staple polyester thread, ticket 
No. 120  
6.2 Make  
6.2.1  Flag 
The National Flag shall be so printed on the material conforming to 6.1.1, that all details of the printing are 
acceptably clear on both sides of the f lag. The pole end of a flag shall be so turned in and stitched down, or 
heat sealed, as appropriate, as to form a heading/sleeve that is large enough to allow the insertion of the 
halyard (see 6.1.4) or to fit tightly over the flagpole, or shall be folded round the pole and glued and stapled to 
it. All raw edges shall have been heat sealed or turned in and securely hemmed as appropriate.  
6.2.2  Flagstaff  
The flagstaff shall consist of a pole, base and finial (see 6.1.2). In the case of a flag with a halyard (if re quired, 
see Annex A), the pole shall have a pin (see 6.1.3), 5 mm below the finial, and a second pin, positioned 
approximately halfway down the pole, to secure the top and the bottom of the halyard. The finished height of 
the flagstaff shall be such as to be acceptable. The base shall be of such shape, mass and size that the flag is 
stable when placed on a flat horizontal surface.   
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  10 
 6.3 Stitches and stitchings  
6.3.1  Stitches  
Stitches shall be type 301.  
6.3.2  Stitchings  
Stitchings shall be type EFa or type EFb.  
6.3.3  Number of stit ches  
The number of stitches shall be 40 ± 4 per 10 cm.  
6.4 Marking and labelling  
Each flag shall have a printed label that is securely attached on one side of the heading/sleeve and it shall 
bear the following information in legible letters  
e) manufacturer's nam e or trademark (or both);  
f) size of the flag;  
g) fibre composition of the bunting fabric; and  
h) year of manufacture.  
6.5 Care labeling  
unless otherwise required, (see Annex A), each flag shall have a printed label that is securely attached and 
that provides correct and appropriate care instructions in addition to marking requirements (6.4). All care 
labels and their markings shall be such that they outlast the flags.  
6.6 Additional marking  
When so required (see Annex A), the flags shall bear information additional to tha t specified in 6.4.  
7 Specific requirements for National Flag Medal Badge  
7.1 Materials  
7.1.1  Flag material  
The flag shall be of an acceptable  non corrosive metal or metal alloy.  
7.1.2  Fastening pins  
The fastening pins shall be of a corrosion -resistant metal, have a smooth finish and shall be  so designed as to 
permit the fastening of the flag to the cloth.  DRS 309: 202 1 
11                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 7.1.3  Coat adherence  
The colour coating shall so adhere to the medal material that it shall outlast the medal and shall not be 
removed due to scratches. It shall comply with the  minimum class of durability when tested in accordance with 
RS ISO 15184.  
7.2 Make  
7.2.1  General  
The design of a medal National Flag shall be of a wave form. The dimensions shall be as indicated (see Table 
1) and the finished length of the pole shall be such as to b e acceptable. It shall have a thickness of 0.5 mm.  
7.2.2  Flag 
The National Flag shall be so printed on the material that all details of the printing are acceptably clear. The 
ends of the medal shall be surrounded by an appropriate metal pleating  
8 Sampling  
Sampli ng and inspection of the flags shall be as per Annex C  
  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  12 
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Notes to purchasers and users  
A.1 Prospective suppliers are reminded that, permission to manufacture or supply the National Flag, or any 
representation thereof, shall be obtained from the Government of Rwanda, and that a sample thereof shall be 
submitted to that Office for final approval.  
A.2 The following requirements shall  be specified in tender invitations and in each order or  contract:  
a) type(s) of flag,  
b) size(s) of flag(s),  
c) in the c ase of external flags, the type of fastening,  
d) in the case of external flags, the width of seams if other than as specified, and  
e) whether care instructions are required  
f) additional markings, if required in the case of desk flags, whether a halyard is requir ed  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DRS 309: 202 1 
13                ©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved  
 Annex  B 
(informative)  
 
The flying and use of the flag  
Users of the National Flag are reminded that instructions on the flying and displaying of the flag are published 
in Government Gazette No. law n° 34/2008 of 08/08/2008 . Unauthorized use of the National Flag is covered 
in the relevant sections of the same law.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  14 
 Annex  C 
(normative)  
 
Quality verification of National Flags  
C.1 Quality verification  
C.1.1  When a purchaser requires ongoing verification of the quality of National Flags produced in 
accordance with this standard, instead of concentrating solely on evaluation of the final product, the attention 
should be brought to the manufacturer's quality sys tem. In this connection it should be noted that RS ISO 
9001 covers the provision of an integrated quality system.  
C.1.2  When inspection and testing of samples of the final product, whether a lot (as defined in C.2.1) of the 
National Flags produced to this  standard complies with its requirements, the sampling plan given in C.2 and 
based on the stated AQLs can be applied. (If a different AQL is required, reference should be made to 
applicable statistical sampling tables.) It should be noted that:  
a) such a samp ling plan applies to fully manufactured flags only, and  
b) a lot that, in terms of the sampling plan, is deemed to comply with this standard, could contain defective 
flags to an extent which may be derived from the tabulated values for the Operating Character istic (OC) 
curves proportional to those curves permitted by the relevant acceptance numbers given in table.C.1  
C.2 Assessment of compliance with this standard  
C.2.1  Sampling procedure  
Use the following sampling procedure to determine whether a lot complies with the standard, and deem the 
samples so taken to represent the lot for the respective properties:  
a) sample for inspection: from the lot, take at random the number of flags given in column 2 of Table C.1, 
relative to the appropriate lot size shown in column 1; and  
b) sample for testing: after inspection of the sample that was taken in accordance with C.2.2(a), take from it 
at random the appropriate number of flags given in column 4 of Table C.1.  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Table C.1 — Sample  sizes  
1 2 3 4 5 
Lot size, flags  Sample for inspection1) Sample for testing2) 
Sample size, flags  Acceptance 
No. 
(AQL=1.5)  Sample size,  
flags  Acceptance No.  
(AQL=1.5)  
26-50 8 0 8 0 
51-90 8 0 8 0 
91-150 32 1 8 0 
151-280 32 1 8 0 
281-500 50 2 8 0 
5001 -1200  50 3 8 0 
1201 -3200  125 5 8 0 
1) Based on Table 1 of RS ISO 2859 -1 general inspection level 2  
2) Based on Table 1 of RS ISO 2859 -1 Special Inspection level s -2 
C.2.2  Criteria of compliance  
Deem the lot to comply with the applicable requirements of the standard if:  
c) on inspection of the sample taken in accordance with C.2.2(a), the number of defectives found does not 
exceed the relevant acceptance number given in column 3 of table C.1, and  
d) on testing of the sample taken in accordance with C.2.2(b), the number of defectives found does not 
exceed the relevant acceptance number given in column 5 of table C.1.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
©RSB 2021  - All rights reserved                  16 
 Annex  D 
(normative)  
 
Details of types of Stitches, Seams and Stitching  
D.1 General  
The various types of stitches, seams, and stitchings are described in detail and illustrated diagrammatically i n 
this section. The presence of an arrow on the stitch type diagram indicates the direction of the successive 
stitch formation. The diagrams for the seams and stitchings illustrate the fundamental types and the 
descriptive procedure covers the general form ation of the types. Most seam types may be produced by using 
multiple rows of stitches.  
D.2 Stiches  
D.2.1  Stitch type 204 (hand felling stitch)  
Formed with one needle thread which is passed through the material, brought back one stitch length and then 
passed back up  through the material. The needle is then moved diagonally across the material and forward at 
least two stitch lengths, passed through the material, brought back one stitch length, and again passed to the 
surface of the material. This process is repeated t o form a crisscross pattern of stitches on the surface and 
parallel rows of separated and offset stitches on the underside of the material.  
 
 
Key 
A Needle thread  
B Material  
 
D.2.2  Stitch type 301 (single needle lock stitch)  
Formed with two threads: one needle thread, A, and one bobbin thread, B. A loop of thread A is passed 
through the material and interlaced with thread B. Thread A is pulled up so that the interlacing is between the 
surfaces of the material or materials being sewn.  
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Key 
A’ needle thread  
A Bobbin thread  
B Material  
D.2.3  Stitch type 304 (zigzag  lock stitch)  
Formed with two threads: one needle thread, A, and one bobbin thread, B. This stitch type is the same as 
stitch type 301 except that successive stitches form a symmetrical zigzag pattern.  
 
Key 
A’ needle thread  
A Bobbin thread  
B Material.  
D.3 Stiching  
D.3.1  EFb 
Turn in the specified width at the edge of a ply of material, fold back the turned edge, and stitch the turned -in 
and folded portion with two rows of stitches.  
 
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D.3.2  EFa 
Turn in the specified width at the edge of a ply of material and stitch the turned edge with the appropriate 
number of rows of stitches.  
 
D.4 Seams  
D.4.1  LSe 
Turn in the edge of each of two plies of material, superimpose them, then insert a third ply between the 
turned -in edges, and seam with the appropriate number of rows of stitches.  
 
D.4.2  LSc 
Turn in and inter lap the edges of two plies of material and seam with the appropriate number of rows of 
stitches.  
 
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 D.4.3  SSa 
Superimpose two or more plies of material and seam with the appropriate numb er of rows of stitches 
positioned at the specified distances from the aligned edges.  
 
D.4.4  LScf  
Form seam type SSa -1, using two plies of material. Then turn back the bottom ply at the seam, superimpose a 
third ply with its edge turned in, and seam with the ap propriate number of rows of stitches.  
 
D.4.5  BSa 
Fold a binding strip round the edge of a ply or plies of material and seam with the appropriate number of rows 
of stitches.  
 
 
 
 
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 Annex  E 
(normative)  
 
Textile tolerances  
Table E.1  Textile tolerances for Woven cotton and similar piece goods (e.g polyester and cotton 
blends and polyester and rayon blends)  
1 2 3 
Property  Tolerances  
Average Property of a lot  Property of individual pieces in a 
lot 
width  +4 -1.2,+4  
Piece length  No minus tolerance on 
stated value a  -1.0 (of stated value) a  
Number of threads  
 
 
 
 
 a) Per cm2 (warp and weft 
combined)  -5 
 Not applicable  
 
b) Per cm  
Warp  Not applicable  -5, +10  
Weft  Not applicable  -5, +10  
Mass per square metre(free of non -fibrous 
material)  -2.5,+7.5  -5, +10  
 
Breaking  strength  
 
 Warp  -5, -10b -10, -18 b 
weft -5, -10 b -5C,-18 b 
Filling content  +1 +2.5 
Dimensional changes on laundering  
Fabrics of mass less than 200g/m2  
 
 
 Warp  ±0.5 c or d  
 ±0.5  
 
Weft ±0.5  ±0.5  
Fabrics of mass 200g/m2or more  
 
 Warp  ±0.5 c  +1 (of stated values)c  
Weft ±0.5 c  +1 (of stated values)c  
a i.e marked on the pieces  
b applicable only to fabrics for which a resin finish has been declared by the manufacturer  
c instrumental reading tolerance  
  
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 Bibliography  
[1] ISO 2859 -1, Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes – Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by 
acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot -by-lot inspection.  
[2] RS ISO 9001 , Quality management systems – Requirements  
[3] Law No. 08/2008 of 08/03/200 8 
  DRS  309: 202 1 
 
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