EN    EN EN  
EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 30.1.2009 
COM(2009) 31 final 
2009/0006 (COD)   
Proposal for a 
REGULATION …/…/EC OF THE EU ROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE 
COUNCIL 
of […] 
on textile names and related labelling of textile products 
(Text with EEA relevance) 
 
{SEC(2009)91} 
{SEC(2009)90} 
EN 2   EN EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM  
1. B ACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL  
The idea for a revision of Textile Names legislation came to light in recent years as a 
result of the experience developed with regular technical amendments to introduce 
new fibre names into the existing Directives. This experience has shown that there was scope to simplify the existing legal fr amework with potential positive impacts 
for private stakeholders and public admi nistrations. Thus, the revision of this 
legislation aims at simplifying and impr oving the existing regulatory framework for 
the development and uptake of novel fibres, with a view to encourage innovation in 
the textile and clothing sector and to allow fibre users and consumers to benefit faster 
from innovative products. 
In addition, the proposed revision will also enhance the transparency of the process 
to add new fibres to the list of harmonised fibre names. At the same time, it will introduce more flexibility to adapt legislation in order to keep up with the needs of the technological developments expe cted in the textiles industry. 
It is not an objective of the revision to extend EU legislation to other labelling 
requirements beyond the fibre composition an d the harmonisation of textile fibre 
names covered by the existing Directives. 
The revision of EU legislati on on Textile Names and Labelling
1 was announced in 
2006 in the “First progress report on the strategy for the simplification of the regulatory environment”
2 and was included in the Comm ission Legislative and Work 
Programme for 2008. 
2. C ONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES  
Due to the limited scope of this revision, a ta rgeted consultation of interested parties 
was conducted. A wide range of stakeholde rs participated in the consultation 
process: industry and retail associati ons, trade unions, cons umer organisations, 
European standardisation bodies, as  well as national administrations3. 
Stakeholders and Member States representati ves were invited to present their views, 
suggestions and proposals during a period going from January to August 2008, in the 
framework of the meetings organized by the Commission services and in writing. 
Stakeholders are of the opinion that in troducing new fibre names in the European 
legislation is important to promote innovati on in the European industry and from the 
perspective of consumer's information. Howe ver, the political c ontent of technical 
                                                 
1 Directives 96/74/EC (as amended), 96/73/EC (as amended) and 73/44/EEC. 
2 Commission Working Document COM (2006) 690 final 
3 CIRFS/BISFA (International Bureau for the Standardisation of Man Made Fibres), Euratex, AEDT 
(European Association of National Organisations of Textile Retailers), Trade Unions, ANEC (European 
Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation), BEUC (European 
Consumers’ Organisation), CEN (European Commi ttee for Standardisation), Member States 
representatives.  
EN 3   EN amendments to Textile Names legislation does not justify the h eavy procedures and 
costs involved in the transposition of a Di rective; therefore, a lighter legislative 
solution should be used. 
Results of the consul tation process are available in the Impact Assessment report and 
its annexes. 
3. I MPACT ASSESSMENT  
Based on the results of the stakeholder consultation and on the study “Simplification 
of EU legislation in the field of Textile Names a nd Labelling – an Impact 
Assessment of policy options”4, the Commission carried out an impact assessment of 
the various policy options  to achieve the objectives set out above.  
The Impact Assessment Board of the European Commission  assessed the draft 
version of the impact assessment report prepared by the relevant service and approved it subject to some modifications
5. 
Analysis and comparison of the various options and their impact lead to the 
following conclusions: 
- The inclusion of guidance on the contents of the application file and the recognition 
of laboratories to assist companies in comp iling the file show potential benefits if 
they result in the submission of applicatio n files more in line with the requirements 
of the Commission services. This coul d bring significant time savings for both 
industry and public authorities.  
- The greatest benefits for industry arise from reducing the time taken between an 
application for a new fibre name being submitted and the ability to place the fibre on the market with the new name. This means sa vings in administrative costs and earlier 
realisation of revenue from sale of the fibre. 
- The greatest benefits to Member St ate authorities result from replacing the 
Directives with a Regulation, because they  would no longer need to transpose the 
amendments into national legislation. This could generate significant cost savings to Member States. 
- The revision will retain the benefits fo r consumers of certainty that the named 
fibres meet specified characteristics. C onsumers may also gain additional benefits 
from new fibres reaching the market earlier.  
4. L
EGAL BASIS AND SUBSIDIARITY  
EU legislation on Textile Names and Labe lling is based on Article 95 of the EC 
Treaty. It aims at establishing an internal  market for textile products while ensuring 
that consumer receive appropriate information. 
                                                 
4 Study available at: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/textile/index_en.htm   
5 http://ec.europa.eu/governance/impact/iab_en.htm  
EN 4   EN Member States recognised in the 1970’s the need for harmonization of Community 
legislation in the area of textile names. Different ( non-harmonised) textile fibre 
names in the EU Member States would crea te a technical barrier to trade in the 
Internal Market. In additi on, consumer interests would be better protected if the 
information provided in this area is the same within the Internal Market.  
The current proposal does not modify the political balance betw een Member States 
and EU. A Committee is foreseen to assist  the Commission and give an opinion on 
the implementing measures proposed to am end the regulation, following the rules of 
a regulatory committee with scrutiny. This is the case today with existing Directives.  
5. M AIN ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL AND CHANGES TO EXISTING LEGISLATION ON 
TEXTILE NAMES AND LABELLING . 
The main changes to the existing legisl ation can be summarised as follows: 
5.1. Facilitating the legislative process to  adapt legislation to technical progress 
5.1.1. Transforming Directive 96/ 74/EC into a Regulation 
EU legislation on textile names and label ling needs to be adapted every time a new 
fibre name is added to the list of harm onised names; such changes are of merely 
technical nature and can be introduced mo re simply in the form of a Regulation, 
reducing thus the administrative burden for national authorities.  
5.1.2. Repealing Directives on methods and tr ansforming them into  a technical annex 
Quantification methods are an essential instrument to allo w for the verification of the 
information provided in the composition labe l, which also requires update to take 
account of new fibre names. Given their deta iled technical content, the adaptation of 
such uniform methods is better addresse d in the form of annexes to the main 
Regulation. Therefore, Article 22 repeal s Directives 96/73/EC and 73/44/EEC and 
the proposed Regulation includes an Annex VIII, laying down uniform methods used for official tests. 
5.2. Shortening the time between the submissi on of an application and the adoption 
of the new fibre name. 
In order to allow fibre manu facturers, fibre users and c onsumers to benefit faster 
from the use of novel fibres and innovative products, new fibre names should be adopted in EU legislation more rapidly. In addition to the time gained with the 
changing of Directive 96/74/EC into a Regulation, the time necessary for the 
technical examination of requests for new fi bre names may be reduced if application 
files submitted by manufacturers are more correct and complete with respect to the requirements they need to fulfil. 
5.2.1. Minimum requirements of applic ations for a new fibre name 
A new Article (Article 6) establishes the procedure to be follo wed by a manufacturer 
to request the addition of a new fibre name to the technical annexes of the  
EN 5   EN Regulation. The manufacturer needs to submit an application file to the Commission, 
taking into consideration the minimum requirements set out in Annex II.  
5.2.2. Report on the implementation of the Regulation 
Article 21 foresees a report on the implementation of th e Regulation, to be drawn up 
by the Commission after a period of 5 years.  The report will focus on assessing the 
experience obtained with the applications fo r new fibre names received in that period 
and it will examine if further gains on time may be obtained from a revision of proposed procedures. 
5.3. Other changes 
Apart from the amendments set out under points 5.1 and 5.2, the text of existing 
legislation has been revised in line with r ecent legislative standard s to facilitate its 
direct applicability and to ensure that  citizens, economic operators and public 
authorities can readily identify their rights and obligations.  
The substantive changes made in the proposal are the following: - Article 1 introduces the subj ect matter of the regulation 
- Article 3 includes additional definitions - Article 4 sets out general obligations to market textile products 
- Article 11 (2) states explicitly the res ponsibility of economic operators to supply 
the label and for the information contained therein 
- Article 14 on special provision s refers to a technical A nnex, which defines detailed 
rules for certain textile products 
- Similarly, article 16 on items exclude d from the determination of the fibre 
percentage refers to  a technical annex 
- Article 17 sets out market  surveillance provisions  
- Article 18 specifies the extraneous  fibre and manufacturing tolerances
 
6. O NGOING AMENDMENT OF TEXTILE DIRECTIVES . 
In 2006, the Commission services received and application to add the new fibre 
name “melamine” to the Annexes of Dir ective 96/74/EC. At e xploratory, technical 
working group meetings with experts from Member States there was a consensus that 
the application is technically sound. It is therefore appropriate to adapt Directives 
96/74/EC and 96/73/EC to technical progress.  
Directives 96/74/EC and 96/73/EC will thus be amended in order to include the new 
fibre name “melamine” in their technical Annexes. According to Article 16(1) of 
Directive 96/74/EC and Artic le 5 (2) of Directive 96/73/ EC, additions to Annexe I 
and II of Directive 96/74/EC and additions and amendments to Annex II of Directive  
EN 6   EN 96/73/EC shall be made by the Commission in accordance with the opinion of the 
Committee for Directives on Te xtile Names and Labelling.  
It is envisaged that the Commission c onsults the Committee while the present 
proposal for a new Regulation is following th e legislative procedure of adoption in 
the Council and the European Parliament . It is foreseen that the new fibre 
“melamine” is added to the Annexes of the Directives after the Committee delivers a 
favourable opinion on the proposal of the Commission. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and additional amendments, it is t hus appropriate that the new Regulation 
includes the new fibre in brackets [melamin e], subject to the favourable opinion of 
the Committee.  
EN 7   EN 2009/0006 (COD) 
Proposal for a 
REGULATION …/…/EC OF THE EU ROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE 
COUNCIL 
of […] 
on textile names and related labelling of textile products 
(Text with EEA relevance) 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE CO UNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing th e European Community, and in particular 
Article 95 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the Eu ropean Economic and Social Committee
6, 
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty7, 
Whereas: (1) Council Directive 73/44/EEC of 26 February 1973 on the ap proximation of the laws of 
the Member States relating to the quantit ative analysis of ternary fibre mixtures
8, 
Directive 96/73/EC of the European Par liament and of the Council of 16 December 
1996 on certain methods for the quantitative an alysis of binary textile fibre mixtures9 
and Directive 96/74/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 on textile names (recast)
10, have been amended several times. Since 
further amendments are to be made, they should be replaced by a single legal instrument, in the interest of clarity. 
(2) The Community legislation on Textile Names and related Labelling of Textile 
Products is very technical in  its content, with  detailed provisions that need to be 
adapted regularly. In order to avoid the ne ed for Member States to transpose the 
technical amendments into national legisl ation and thus reduce the administrative 
burden for national authorities and in order to allow for a faster adoption of new fibre 
names to be applied at the same time th roughout the Community, a Regulation appears 
as the most appropriate legal instrument to carry out the legislative simplification. 
                                                
 
6 OJ C , , p. . 
7 OJ C , , p. . 
8 OJ L 83, 30.3.1973, p. 1 
9 OJ L 32, 3.2.1997, p. 1.  
10 OJ L 32, 3.2.1997, p.38  
EN 8   EN (3) In order to eliminate potential obstacle s to the proper functioning of the internal 
market caused by diverging provisions of the Me mber States with re gard to the names, 
composition and labelling of textile products, it is necessary to harmonize the names of textile fibres and the indications a ppearing on labels, markings and documents 
which accompany textile products at the vari ous stages of their production, processing 
and distribution. 
(4) It is appropriate to lay down rules enab ling the manufacturers to  ask for the inclusion 
of a new fibre name on the list of permitted fibre names. 
(5) Provision should also be made in respec t of certain products which are not made 
exclusively of textile materials but have a te xtile content which constitutes an essential 
part of the product or to wh ich attention is specifically  drawn by the manufacturer, 
processor or trader. 
(6) The tolerance in respect of ‘other fibres’,  which are not to be stated on the labels 
should apply to both pure products and to mixtures. 
(7) Composition labelling should be compulsory  to ensure correct information is made 
available to all consumers in the Community at  a uniform level. Where it is technically 
difficult to specify the composition of a produc t at the time of manu facture, it should 
be possible to state, on the label, only those fibres which are known at the time of 
manufacture provided that they account fo r a certain percentage of the finished 
product.  
(8) In order to avoid the differences in pract ice among the Member States, it is necessary 
to lay down the exact methods of labelling for certain textile pr oducts consisting of 
two or more components, and also to speci fy the components of textile products that 
need not be taken into account for purposes of labelling and analysis. 
(9) Textile products subject only to the require ments of inclusive labelling, and those sold 
by the metre or in cut lengths, should be offered for sale in such a way that the 
consumer can fully acquaint himself with  the information affixed to the overall 
packaging or the roll. 
(10) The use of descriptions or names whic h enjoy particular pr estige among users and 
consumers should be made subject to cert ain conditions. Furthermore, in order to 
provide information to users and consumers, it is appropriate that the fibre names are 
related to the characteristics of the fibre. 
(11) Market surveillan ce of products un der the scope of this Re gulation in the Member 
States should be subject to the provisions  of Directive 2001/95/EC of the European 
Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety
11. 
(12) It is necessary to lay do wn methods for the sampling and an alysis of textile products in 
order to exclude any possibili ty of objections to the methods used. The methods used 
for official tests carried out in the Member States to determine the fibre composition of 
textile products composed of binary a nd ternary mixtures should be uniform, as 
regards both the pre-treatment of the sample and its quantitative analysis; therefore 
                                                 
11 OJ L35, 6.2.2004, p. 39  
EN 9   EN this Regulation should lay down uniform methods of analysis  for most of the textile 
products composed of binary and ternar y mixtures that are on the market. 
(13) In the case of binary mi xtures for which there is no uniform method of analysis at 
Community level, the laboratory responsible  for the test should be allowed to 
determine the composition of such mixtures  using any valid met hod at its disposal, 
indicating in the analysis repor t the result obtained and, in so far as this is known, the 
degree of accuracy of the method used. 
(14) This Regulation should se t out the agreed allowances to  be applied to the anhydrous 
mass of each fibre during the determination by analysis of the fibr e content of textile 
products, and should give tw o different agreed allowances for calculating the 
composition of carded or combed fibres cont aining wool and/or animal hair. Since it 
cannot always be established whethe r a product is carded or combed, and 
consequently inconsistent results can aris e from the application of the tolerances 
during checks on the conformity  of textile products carried out in the Community, The 
laboratories carrying out those checks should be authorized  to apply a single agreed 
allowance in doubtful cases. 
(15) Rules should be laid down in respect of  products exempt from the general labelling 
requirements of this Regulation, in partic ular disposable products or products for 
which only inclusive labelling is required. 
(16) It is appropriate to esta blish a procedure, to be obser ved by any manufacturer or its 
representative that wishes to include a new fibre name in the technical Annexes. This 
Regulation should thus set out requirements to  apply for a new fibre name to be added 
to the technical Annexes. 
(17) The measures necessary for the implemen tation of this Regulation should be adopted 
in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of impl ementing powers conferred on the Commission
12. 
(18) In particular the Commission should be empowered to adapt to technical progress the 
list of fibre names and the related descri ptions, the minimum requirements for the 
technical file to be annexed to the applica tion by the manufacturer for the addition of a 
new fibre name to the list of permitted fibre names, the special provisions concerning corsetry products and certain types of tex tiles, the list of products for which labelling 
or marking is not mandatory, the list of pr oducts for which only inclusive labelling or 
marking is mandatory, the list of items not to be taken into account for the 
determination of fibre percenta ges, the agreed allowances us ed to calculate the mass of 
fibres contained in a textile product, as well as to adapt the existing or to adopt new 
methods of quantitative analysis for bi nary and ternary mixtures,. Since those 
measures are of general scope and are desi gned to amend non-esse ntial elements of 
this Regulation, inter alia by supplementing it with new non-essen tial elements, they 
must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC. 
                                                
 
12 OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.   
EN 10   EN (19) Since the objectives of the action to be taken, that is the adoption of uniform rules for 
the use of textile names and re lated labelling of textile pr oducts, cannot be sufficiently 
achieved by the Member States and can therefor e, by reason of the scale of the action, 
be better achieved at Community level,  the Community may adopt measures, in 
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In 
accordance with the principle of proportional ity, as set out in that Article, this 
Regulation does not go beyond what  is necessary in order to  achieve those objectives. 
(20) Directives 96/74/EC [or recast], 96/ 73/EC and 73/44/EC should be repealed, 
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Chapter 1 
General provisions 
Article 1 
Subject matter 
This Regulation lays down rules concerning the use of textile names and related labelling of 
textile products as well as th e rules concerning the quantitative analysis of bina ry and ternary 
textile fibre mixtures. 
Article 2 
Scope 
1. This Regulation applies to textile products.  
It also applies to the following products:  (a) products containing at least 80 % by weight of textile fibres; 
(b) furniture, umbrella and sunshade coveri ngs containing at least 80 % by weight of 
textile components;  
(c) the textile components of multi-layer floor  coverings, of mattresses and of camping 
goods, and warm linings of footwear, gloves,  mittens and mitts, provided such parts 
or linings constitute at least 80 % by weight of the complete product; 
(d) textiles incorporated in other products a nd forming an integral part thereof, where 
their composition is specified. 
2. The provisions of this Regulation do not apply to textile products which: 
(a) are intended for export to third countries;  
EN 11   EN (b) enter Member States, under cust oms control, for transit purposes; 
(c) are imported from third countries for inward processing; (d) are contracted out to persons working in  their own homes, or to independent firms 
that make up work from materials suppl ied without the prope rty therein being 
transferred for consideration. 
Article 3 
Definitions 
1. For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:  
(a) ‘textile products’ means any raw, semi-worked, worked, semi-manufactured, 
manufactured, semi-made-up or made-up pr oducts which are exclusively composed 
of textile fibres, regardless of the mixing or assembly process employed; 
(b) ‘textile fibre’ means e ither of the following: 
(i) a unit of matter characterized by its flexibility, fineness and high ratio of length 
to maximum transverse dimension, wh ich render it suitable for textile 
applications; 
(ii) flexible strips or tubes, of whic h the apparent width does not exceed 5 mm, 
including strips cut from wider strips or films, produced from the substances 
used for the manufacture of the fibres li sted in table 2 in Annex I and suitable 
for textile applications;  
(c) ‘the apparent width’ is  the width of the strip or tube when folded, flattened, 
compressed or twisted, or the average width where the width is not uniform; 
(d) ‘textile component’ means a pa rt of a textile product with  a distinct fibre content; 
(e) ‘extraneous fibres’ are fibres ot her than those stated on the label; 
(f) ‘lining’ means a separate item used  in making-up garments and other products, 
consisting of a single layer or multiple layers of textile material loosely held in place along one or more of the edges; 
(g) ‘inclusive labelling’ means a means of labelling whereby a single label is used for 
several textile products or components; 
(h) ‘disposable products’ means textile products designed to be  used once only or for a 
limited time, and the normal use of which pr ecludes any restoring for subsequent use 
for the same or a similar purpose. 
Article 4  
General rules  
EN 12   EN 1. Textile products may be marketed within th e Community, either before or during their 
industrial processing or at any of the dist ribution stages, only where such products are 
labelled according to the pr ovisions of this Regulation. 
2. The application of this Regulation shall be without prejudice to th e application of the 
national and Community rules on protection of industrial and commercial property, on 
indications of provenance, marks of orig in and the prevention of unfair competition. 
Chapter 2 
Textile fibre names and rel ated labelling requirements 
Article 5 
Textile fibre names 
1. Only the names of fibres listed in Anne x I shall be used for composition labelling. 
2. Use of the names listed in Annex I shall be re served for fibres whose nature corresponds to 
the description set out  in that Annex.  
The names shall not be used for other fibres, whether on their own or as a root or as an 
adjective. 
The term ‘silk’ may not be used to indicate the shape or particular presentation in continuous 
yarn of textile fibres. 
Article 6 
Applications for new fibre names 
Any manufacturer or its represen tative may apply to the Commission to add a new fibre name 
to the list set out in Annex I. 
The application shall include a technical file compiled in acco rdance with Annex II 
Article 7 
Pure products 
1. Only textile products exclusively composed of  the same fibre may be labelled as ‘100 %’, 
‘pure’ or ‘all’.  
Those or similar terms shall not be used for other products. 2. A textile product shall be considered as ex clusively composed of the same fibre if it 
contains up to 2 % by weight of other fibres, provided this quantity is justified on technical 
grounds and is not added as a matter of routine.   
EN 13   EN Under the same condition, a textile product, wh ich has undergone a carding process, shall be 
considered as exclusively composed of the same  fibre if it contains up to 5% by weight of 
other fibres. 
Article 8  
Wool products 
1. A textile product may be labelled by one of the names referred to in Annex III provided 
that it is composed exclusively of a wool fibre which has not pr eviously been incorporated in 
a finished product, which has not been subjec ted to any spinning and/or felting processes 
other than those requir ed in the manufacture of  that product, and whic h has not been damaged 
by treatment or use. 
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, th e names listed in Annex III may be used to 
describe wool contained in a fibre mixture if  all the following conditions are complied with: 
(a) all the wool contained in that mixtur e satisfies the requirements defined in 
paragraph 1; 
(b) such wool accounts for not less than 25 % of the total weight of the mixture; 
(c) in the case of a scribbled mixture, th e wool is mixed with only one other fibre; 
The full percentage composition of such mixture shall be given. 
3. The fibrous impurities in the products referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, including wool 
products which have undergone a carding process, shall not exceed 0,3 % and shall be justified by technical reasons connected with manufacture. 
Article 9 
Multi-fibre textile products 
1. A textile product composed of two or more fibres, one of which accounts for at least 85 % 
of the total weight, shall be labelled by one of the following: 
(a) the name of the fibre which accounts for at least 85% of the total weight followed by 
its percentage by weight; 
(b) the name of the fibre which accounts for at least 85% of the total weight followed by 
the words ‘85 % minimum’; 
(c) the full percentage composition of the product. 2. A textile product composed of two or more fibres, none of which accounts for as much as 
85 % of the total weight, shall be labelled by th e name and percentage by weight of at least 
two fibres with the highest percentage by weight, followed by the names of the other 
constituent fibres in descendi ng order of the percentage by weight, with or without an 
indication of their pe rcentage by weight.   
EN 14   EN However, the following rules shall also apply: 
(a) fibres which separately account for less than 10 % of the total weight of a product 
may be collectively designated by the term ‘other fibres’, followed by the total percentage by weight; 
(b) where the name of a fibre which accounts for less than 10 % of the total weight of a 
product is specified, the full percentage co mposition of that product shall be given. 
3. Products having a pure cotton warp and a pure fl ax weft, in which the percentage of flax 
accounts for at least 40 % of the total weight of  the unsized fabric may be given the name 
‘cotton linen union’ which must be accomp anied by the composition specification ‘pure 
cotton warp — pure flax weft’. 
4. For textile products the composition of which ca nnot easily be stated at the time of their 
manufacture, the term ‘mixed fibres’ or the term ‘unspecified textile composition’ may be 
used on the label. 
Article 10  
Decorative fibres and fibres with antistatic effect  
Visible, isolable fibres which are purely d ecorative and do not exceed 7 % of the weight of 
the finished product need not be mentioned in the fibre compositions provided for in Articles 
7 and 9. 
The same shall apply to metallic fibres and othe r fibres which are incorporated in order to 
obtain an antistatic effect and which do not exceed 2 % of the we ight of the finished product. 
In the case of the products referred to in Article  9(3), such percentages shall be calculated on 
the weight of the warp and that of the weft separately. 
Article 11 
Labels and marking 
1. Textile products shall be la belled or marked whenever they are put on the market. 
However, labels or marking may be repla ced or supplemented by accompanying commercial 
documents when the products are not being offe red for sale to the end consumer, or when 
they are delivered in performa nce of an order placed by the State or by some other legal 
person governed by public law. 
2. The manufacturer or his authorized agent es tablished in the Community or, if neither the 
manufacturer nor his authorized agent is established in the Community, the economic 
operator responsible for first placing the textile product on the Community market shall 
ensure the supply of the label and the accura cy of the information contained therein. 
The distributor shall ensure that the textile pr oducts sold by him bear th e appropriate labelling 
prescribed by this Regulation.  
EN 15   EN The persons referred to in the first and se cond subparagraphs shall ensure that any 
information supplied when textile products are placed on the market cannot be confused with the names and descriptions laid down by this Regulation.  
Article 12 
The use of names and descriptions  
1. The names and descriptions referred to in Artic les 5, 7, 8 and 9 shall be  clearly indicated in 
sales contracts, bills, invoices and other commercial documents.  
The use of abbreviations is not allowed. Howe ver, a mechanized processing code may be 
used, provided that code is e xplained in the same document. 
2. The names and descriptions referred to in Articles 5, 7, 8 and 9 shall be indicated in 
catalogues and trade literature, on packaging, labels  and marking in clear, legible and uniform 
print when textile product s are offered for sale.  
3. Trade marks or the name of the undertaking may be given immediately before or after 
names and descriptions referre d to in Articles 5, 7, 8 and 9. 
However, where a trade mark or a name of an undertaking contains, on its own or as an 
adjective or as a root, one of the names listed in Annex I or a name liable to be confused 
therewith, such trade mark or name shall be given immediately before or after names and 
descriptions referred to in Articles 5, 7, 8 and 9. 
Other information shall be al ways displayed separately. 
4. The labelling and marking shall be available in the language or languages of the Member 
State on which territory the textile products ar e offered for sale or are sold to the end 
consumer if it is required by legi slation of that Member State. 
In the case of bobbins, reels, skeins, balls or other small quantity of sewing, mending and 
embroidery yarns, the first subp aragraph shall apply to the inclusive labelling referred to in 
Article 15(3). Individual items may be labelled in any one of the Community languages.  
Article 13 
Multi-component textile products 
1. Any textile product containing two or more components shall b ear a label stating the fibre 
content of each component. 
Such labelling shall not be compulsory fo r components other than main linings and 
representing less than 30 % of the total we ight of the product. 
2. Where two or more textile products have the sa me fibre content and normally form a single 
unit, they may bear only one label.  
EN 16   EN Article 14 
Special provisions 
The fibre composition of products listed in Anne x IV shall be indicated according to the 
labelling rules set ou t in that Annex. 
Article 15 
Derogations 
1. By way of derogation from Articles 11, 12 an d 13, the rules laid down in paragraphs 2, 3 
and 4 of this Article shall apply. 
In any case, the products referred to in paragrap h 3 and 4 of this Article shall be offered for 
sale in such a way that the end consumer can  fully acquaint himself with the composition of 
those products. 
2. The indication of fibre names or fibre composition on the la bels or marking of textile 
products listed in Annex V is not required. 
However, where a trade mark or name of an  undertaking contains, on its own or as an 
adjective or as a root, one of the names listed in Annex I or a name liable to be confused 
therewith, Articles 11, 12 and 13 shall apply. 
3. Where textile products listed in Annex VI are of the same type and composition, they may 
be offered for sale together  under an inclusive label. 
4. The composition of textile products sold by th e metre may be shown on the length or roll 
offered for sale. 
Chapter 3 
Fibre percentages and tolerances 
Article 16 
Items not to be taken into account for the determination of fibre percentages 
In the determination of percentages set out in Articles 7, 8 and 9 to be  displayed pursuant to 
Article 11, the items listed in Annex VII shall not be taken into account. 
Article 17 
Market surveillance provisions  
EN 17   EN 1. National market surveillance authorities shall carry  out checks on the conformity of the 
composition of textile products with the supplied information related to the composition of those products in accordance with Directive 2001/95/EC. 
2. The checks referred to in pa ragraph 1 shall be carried out in  accordance with the methods 
of sampling and quantitative analys is of certain binary and tern ary fibre mixtur es set out in 
Annex VIII.  
For those purposes, the fibre percentages set out in Articles 7, 8 and 9 shall be determined by 
applying to the anhydrous mass of each fibre the appropriate agreed allowance laid down in 
Annex IX, after having removed the items set out in Annex VII.  
3. Any laboratory responsible for the testing of textile mixtures  for which there is no uniform 
method of analysis at Community level shall determine the composition of such mixtures by 
using any valid method at its dis posal, indicating in the analysis report the result obtained and, 
in so far as this is known, the de gree of accuracy of the method used. 
Article 18 
Tolerances  
1. For the purposes of establishing the compos ition of textile products intended for the end 
consumer, the tolerances laid down paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 shall apply. 
2. The presence of extraneous fibres in the composition to be provided in accordance with 
Article 9 does not need to be indicated if th e percentage of those fi bres does not reach the 
following: 
(a) 2 % of the total weight of the textil e product, provided that that quantity is 
justified on technical grounds and is not added as a matter of routine;  
(b) 5 % in the case of products whic h have undergone a carding process.  
Point (b) of this paragraph shall be  without prejudice to Article 8(3). 
3. A manufacturing tolerance of 3 % shall be permitted between the stated fibre percentages 
to be provided in accordance with Article 9 and the percentages obtained from analysis 
carried out in accordance with Ar ticle 17, in relation to the total weight of fibres shown on the 
label. Such tolerance shall also apply to the following: 
(a) fibres which are listed with no indicat ion of their percentage in accordance 
with Article 9(2); 
(b) the percentage of wool re ferred to in Article 8(2)(b). 
For the purposes of the analysis, the tolerances sh all be calculated separately. The total weight 
to be taken into account in calculating the toleran ce referred to in this paragraph shall be that 
of the fibres of the finished product less the weight of any extraneous fibres found when 
applying the tolerance refe rred to in paragraph 2.  
EN 18   EN The addition of the tolerances referred to in pa ragraphs 2 and 3 shall be permitted only if any 
extraneous fibres found by analysis, when applyi ng the tolerance referred to in paragraph 2, 
prove to be of the same chemical type as one  or more of the fibres shown on the label. 
4. In the case of particular products for whic h the manufacturing pro cess requires tolerances 
higher than those laid down in paragraphs 2 a nd 3, higher tolerances may be authorized by the 
Commission when the conformity of the product is checked pursuant to Article 17(1) only in 
exceptional cases and where adequate justif ication is provided by the manufacturer.  
The manufacturer shall submit a request providing sufficient reasons and evidence of the 
exceptional manufacturing circumstances. 
Chapter 4 
Final provisions 
Article 19 
Amendment of the Annexes 
1. The Commission may adopt any amendments to Annexes I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX 
which are necessary for adapting thes e Annexes to technical progress. 
2. The measures referred to in paragraph 1, desi gned to amend non-essentia l elements of this 
Regulation, inter alia, by supplementing it, shal l be adopted in accordance with the regulatory 
procedure with scrutiny refe rred to in Article 20(2). 
Article 20  
Committee 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee for Textile Names and Labelling.  
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Ar ticle 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 
1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to th e provisions of Article 8 thereof.  
Article 21 
Reporting 
By [DATE = 5 years from the entry into force of this Regulation] at the latest, the 
Commission shall submit a report to the Euro pean Parliament and to the Council on the 
implementation of this Regulation, with an emphasis on the requests and adoption of new 
fibre names.  
EN 19   EN Article 22 
Repeal 
Directives 73/44/EC, 96/73/EC and 96/74/EC [o r recast] are repealed with effect from the 
date of entry into force of this Regulation. 
References to the repealed Directives shall be construed as references to this Regulation and 
shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex X. 
Article 23 
Entry into force 
This Regulation shall enter into  force on the twentieth day follo wing that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Communities . 
This Regulation shall be binding in  its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, […] 
For the European Parliament For the Council 
The President The President […] […]  
EN 20   EN ANNEX I  
TABLE OF TEXTILE FIBRES 
Table 1 
Number Name Fibre description 
1 wool Fibre from sheep's or lambs' fleeces (Ovis aries ) or a 
mixture of fibres from sheep ’s or lambs’ fleeces and the 
hairs of animals listed in item 2  
2 alpaca, llama, camel, 
kashmir, mohair, angora vicuna, yak, guanaco, cashgora, beaver, otter, followed or not by the name ‘wool’ or ‘hair’ hair of the following animals: alpaca, llama, camel, 
kashmir goat, angora goat, angora rabbit, vicuna, yak, guanaco, cashgora goat, beaver, otter 
3 animal or horsehair, 
with or without an indication of the kind of animal (e.g. cattle hair, common goat hair, horsehair) hair of the various animals not mentioned under 1 or 2 
4 silk fibre obtained exclusivel y from silk-secreting insects 
5 cotton fibre obtained from the bolls of the cotton plant 
(Gossypium)  
6 kapok fibre obtained from the inside of the kapok fruit (Ceiba 
pentandra)  
7 flax fibre obtained from the bast of the flax plant (Linum 
usitatissimum)  
8 true hemp fibre obtained from the bast of hemp (Cannabis sativa)  
9 jute fibre obtained from the bast of Corchorus olitorius  and 
Corchorus capsularis . For the purposes of this 
Regulation, bast fibres ob tained from the following 
species shall be treated in the same way as jute: Hibiscus 
cannabinus , Hibiscus sabdariffa , Abultilon avicennae , 
Urena lobata , Urena sinuata  
10 abaca (Manila hemp) fibre obtaine d from the sheathing leaf of Musa textilis  
11 alfa fibre obtained from the leaves of Stipa tenacissima   
EN 21   EN 12 coir (coconut) fibre obtained from the fruit of Cocos nucifera  
13 broom fibre obtained from the bast of Cytisus scoparius  and/or 
Spartium Junceum  
14 ramie fibre obtained from the bast of Boehmeria nivea  and 
Boehmeria tenacissima  
15 sisal fibre obtained from the leaves of agave sisalana  
16 Sunn fibre from the bast of Crotalaria juncea  
17 Henequen fibre from the bast of Agave Fourcroydes  
18 Maguey fibre from the bast of Agave Cantala  
Table 2 
19 acetate cellulose acetate fibre wh erein less than 92 % but at least 
74 % of the hydroxyl groups are acetylated 
20 alginate fibre obtained from metallic salts of alginic acid 
21 cupro 
(cuprammonium rayon) regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by the 
cuprammonium process 
22 modal a regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by a modified 
viscose process having a hi gh breaking force and high 
wet modulus. The breaking force (B C) in the conditioned 
state and the force (B M) required to produce an 
elongation of 5 % in the wet state are: 
BC (CN) ≥ 1,3 √T + 2 T 
BM (CN) ≥ 0,5 √T 
where T is the mean linear density in decitex  
23 protein fibre obtained from natural protein substances 
regenerated and stabilize d through the action of 
chemical agents 
24 triacetate cellulose acetate fibre wherein at least 92 % of the 
hydroxyl groups are acetylated 
25 viscose regenerated cellulose  fibre obtained by the viscose 
process for filament and discontinuous fibre 
26 acrylic fibre formed of linear macromolecules comprising at 
least 85 % (by mass) in the ch ain of the acrylonitrilic  
EN 22   EN pattern 
27 chlorofibre fibre formed of lin ear macromolecules having in their 
chain more than 50 % by ma ss of chlorinated vinyl or 
chlorinated vinylidene monomeric units 
28 fluorofibre fibre formed of linear macromolecules made from 
fluorocarbon aliphatic monomers 
29 modacrylic  fibre formed of linear macromolecules having in the 
chain more than 50 % and less than 85 % (by mass) of the acrylonitrilic pattern 
30 polyamide or nylon  fibre formed from synthetic linear macromolecules 
having in the chain recurring amide linkages of which at 
least 85 % are joined to aliphatic or cycloaliphatic units  
31 aramid fibre formed from synthetic linear macromolecules made 
up of aromatic groups joined by amide or imide linkages, of which at least 85 % are joined directly to two aromatic rings and with the number of imide linkages, if the latter ar e present, not exceeding the 
number of amide linkages 
32 polyimide fibre formed from synthetic linear macromolecules 
having in the chain recurring imide units 
33 lyocell a regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by dissolution, and 
an organic solvent (mixture of organic chemicals and water) spinning process, without formation of derivatives 
34 polylactide fibre formed of lin ear macromolecules having in the 
chain at least 85% (by mass) of lactic acid ester units 
derived from naturally occurr ing sugars, and which has a 
melting temperature of at least 135 °C 
35 polyester fibre formed of linear macromolecules comprising at 
least 85 % (by mass) in the ch ain of an ester of a diol 
and terephthalic acid 
36 polyethylene fibre formed of un- substituted aliphatic saturated 
hydrocarbon linear macromolecules 
37 polypropylene fibre formed of an a liphatic saturated hydrocarbon linear 
macromolecule where one carbon atom in two carries a methyl side chain in an is otactic disposition and without 
further substitution 
38 polycarbamide fibre formed of linear macromolecules having in the 
chain the recurring ureylene (NH—CO—NH) functional  
EN 23   EN group 
39 polyurethane fibre formed of lin ear macromolecules composed of 
chains with the recurring urethane functional group 
40 vinylal fibre formed of linear macromolecules whose chain is 
constituted by poly(vinyl alcoho l) with differing levels 
of acetalization 
41 trivinyl fibre formed of acryl onitrile terpolymer, a chlorinated 
vinyl monomer and a third vinyl monomer, none of which represents as much as 50 % of the total mass 
42 elastodiene elastofibre compos ed of natural or synthetic 
polyisoprene, or composed of one or more dienes polymerized with or wit hout one or more vinyl 
monomers, and which, when stretched to three times its original length and releas ed, recovers rapidly and 
substantially to its initial length 
43 elastane elastofibre composed of at least 85 % (by mass) of a 
segmented polyurethane, and which, when stretched to 
three times its original le ngth and released, recovers 
rapidly and substantially to its initial length 
44 glass fibre fibre made of glass 
45 name corresponding 
to the material of which the fibres are composed, e.g. metal (metallic, metallized), asbestos, paper, followed or not by the word ‘yarn’ or ‘fibre’ fibres obtained from miscella neous or new materials not 
listed above 
46 elastomultiester fibre formed by interaction of two or more chemically 
distinct linear macromolecules in two or more distinct 
phases (of which none exceeds 85% by mass) which contains ester groups as dominant functional unit (at least 85%) and which, after suitable treatment when stretched to one and half times its original length and released, recovers rapidly and substantially to its initial length 
47 Elastolefin fibre composed of at least 95% (by mass) of 
macromolecules partially cross-linked, made up from ethylene and at least one other olefin and which, when stretched to one and a half times its original length and released, recovers rapidly and substantially to its initial length  
EN 24   EN 48 Melamine fibre formed of at least 85% by mass of cross-linked 
macromolecules made up of melamine derivatives 
_____________  
EN 25   EN ANNEX II  
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A TECHNICAL FILE TO APPLY FOR A NEW 
FIBRE NAME 
(Article 6) 
A technical file to propose a new fibre name for inclusion in Anne x I, as referred to in Article 
6, shall contain at least th e following information: 
– Proposed name of the fibre; 
The name proposed shall be related to th e chemical composition and shall provide 
information about the characte ristics of the fibr e, if appropriate. The name proposed 
shall be free of rights and shall not be linked to the manufacturer. 
– Proposed definition of the fibre; 
The characteristics mentioned in the definiti on of the new fibre, such as for example 
elasticity, shall be verifiable via testing methods to be provided with the technical 
file along with the experimental results of analyses. 
– Identification of the fibre: chemical formula,  differences from existing fibres, together 
with, where relevant, detailed data such as me lting point, density, refractive index, burning 
behaviour and FTIR spectrum; 
– Proposed agreed allowance; 
– Sufficiently developed identification and quant ification methods, including experimental 
data; 
The applicant shall evaluate the possibility to use the methods listed in Annex VIII to 
this Regulation to analyse the most expect ed commercial mixtures of the new fibre 
with other fibres and shall propose at least one of those methods. For those methods 
where the fibre can be cons idered as insoluble com ponent, the applicant shall 
evaluate the mass correction factors of the ne w fibre. All the expe rimental data shall 
be submitted with the application 
If methods listed in this Regulation are not suitable, the applicant shall provide 
adequate reasoning and propose a new method. 
The application shall contain all the expe rimental data for the methods proposed. 
Data on the accuracy, robustness and repeatab ility of the methods shall be provided 
with the file. 
– Additional information to support the applicatio n: production process, consumer relevance; 
– The manufacturer or its representative shall pr ovide representative samples of the new pure 
fibre and the relevant fibre mixtures necessa ry to conduct the validation of the proposed 
identification and quantification me thods, upon request of the Commission. 
_____________  
EN 26   EN  ANNEX III  
NAMES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 8(1)  
– in Bulgarian: ‘ необработена  вълна ’, 
– in Spanish: ‘lana virgen’ or ‘lana de esquilado’, 
– in Czech: ‘st řižní vlna’, 
– in Danish: ‘ren, ny uld’, 
– in German: ‘Schurwolle’, 
– in Estonian: ‘uus vill’, 
– in Irish: 'olann lomra'  
– in Greek: ‘ παρθένο  µαλλί’, 
– in English: ‘fleece wool’ or ‘virgin wool’, 
– in French: ‘laine vierge ’ or ‘laine de tonte’, 
– in Italian: ‘lana vergin e’ or ‘lana di tosa’, 
– in Latvian: ‘pirmlietojuma vilna’ or ‘cirpt ā vilna’, 
– in Lithuanian: ‘nat ūralioji vilna’, 
– in Hungarian: ‘él őgyapjú’, 
– in Maltese: ‘suf ver ġni’, 
– in Dutch: ‘scheerwol’, 
– in Polish: ‘ żywa wełna’, 
– in Portuguese: ‘lã virgem’, 
– in Romanian: ‘lân ă virgină’, 
– in Slovak: ‘strižná vlna’,  
– in Slovene: ‘runska volna’, 
– in Finnish: ‘uusi villa’, 
– in Swedish: ‘ren ull’.  
__________  
EN 27   EN ANNEX IV  
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE LA BELLING OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS 
(Article 14) 
Products Labelling provisions 
1. The following corsetry 
products: The fibre composition shall be  indicated on the label by 
stating the composition of th e whole product or, either 
inclusively or sepa rately, that of the components listed 
respectively: 
 (a) Brassières The outside and the in side fabric of the cups and back 
 (b) Corsets The front, the rear and side stiffening panels 
 (c) Corselets The outside and inside  fabric of the cups, the front and 
rear stiffening panels and the side panels 
2. Other corsetry products not listed above The fibre composition shall be  indicated by stating the 
composition of the whole product or, either inclusively or 
separately, the composition of the various components of the products. Such labelling shall not be compulsory for components representing less  than 10 % of  the total 
weight of the product. 
3. All corsetry products The separate labe lling of the various parts of corsetry 
products shall be carried out in such a way that the end consumer can easily understand to which part of the product the information on the label refers. 
4. Etch-printed textiles The fibre compos ition shall be given for the product as a 
whole and may be indicated by stating, separately, the composition of the base fabric  and that of the etched 
parts. Those components shall be mentioned by name 
5. Embroidered textiles The fibre compos ition shall be given for the product as a 
whole and may be indicated by stating, separately, the composition of the base fabric and that of the embroidery 
yarn. Those components shall be mentioned by name. Such labelling is compulso ry only for the embroidered 
parts which amount to at leas t 10 % of the surface area of 
the product. 
6. Yarns consisting of a core and a cover made up of different fibres and offered for sale as such to the consumer The fibre composition shall be  given for the product as a 
whole and may be indicated by stating the composition of the core and the cover separately. Those components shall be mentioned by name 
7. Velvet and plush textiles, or The fibr e composition shall be given for the whole  
EN 28   EN textiles resembling velvet or 
plush product and, where the produc t comprises a distinct 
backing and a use-surface composed of different fibres, may be stated separately for those components. Those components shall be mentioned by name 
8. Floor coverings and carpets of which the backing and the use-surface are composed of different fibres The composition may be stated for the use-surface alone. 
The use-surface must be mentioned by name 
__________  
EN 29   EN ANNEX V  
PRODUCTS FOR WHICH LABELLING OR MARKING IS NOT MANDATORY 
(Article 15(2)) 
1. Sleeve-supporting armbands 2. Watch straps of textile materials 3. Labels and badges 4. Stuffed pan-holders of textile materials 5. Coffee cosy covers 6. Tea cosy covers 7. Sleeve protectors 8. Muffs other than in pile fabric 9. Artificial flowers 10. Pin cushions 11. Painted canvas 12. Textile products for base and underlying fabrics and stiffenings 
13. Felts 14. Old made-up textile products, wher e explicitly stated to be such 
15. Gaiters 16. Packagings, not new and sold as such 17. Felt hats 18. Containers which are soft and withou t foundation, saddlery, of  textile materials 
19. Travel goods of textile materials 20. Hand-embroidered tapestries, finished or unfinished, and materials for their 
production, including embroidery yarns, sold separately from the canvas and 
specially presented for use in such tapestries 
21. Slide fasteners 
22. Buttons and buckles covered with textile materials 23. Book covers of textile materials  
EN 30   EN 24. Toys 
25. Textile parts of footwear, excepting warm linings 26. Table mats having several components and a surface area of not more than 500 cm
2 
27. Oven gloves and cloths 28. Egg cosies 29. Make-up cases 30. Tobacco pouches of textile fabric 31. Spectacle, cigarette and cigar, lighter  and comb cases of textile fabric 
32. Protective requisites for sports  with the exception of gloves 
33. Toilet cases 34. Shoe-cleaning cases 35. Funeral items 36. Disposable products, with the exception of wadding  37. Textile products subjec t to the rules of the European Pharmacopoeia  and covered by 
a reference to those rules, non-disposable  bandages for medical and orthopaedic use 
and orthopaedic textil e products in general 
38. Textile products including cordage, ropes and string, subject to item 12 of Annex VI, 
normally intended: 
(a) for use as equipment components in the manufacture and processing of goods; 
(b) for incorporation in machines, installati ons (e.g. for heating,  air conditioning or 
lighting), domestic and other appliances, vehicles and other m eans of transport, 
or for their operation, maintenance or e quipment, other than tarpaulin covers 
and textile motor vehicle accessories sold separately from the vehicle 
39. Textile products for protection and safety purposes such as safety  belts, parachutes, 
life-jackets, emergency chutes, fire-figh ting devices, bulletproof waistcoats and 
special protective garments (e.g. protection ag ainst fire, chemical substances or other 
safety hazards) 
40. Air-supported structures (e.g. sports halls, exhibition stands or storage facilities), 
provided that details of the performances  and technical specifications of these 
products are supplied 
41. Sails 42. Animal clothing  
EN 31   EN 43. Flags and banners 
__________  
EN 32   EN ANNEX VI  
PRODUCTS FOR WHICH ONLY INCLUSIVE LABELLING OR MARKING IS 
MANDATORY 
(Article 15(3)) 
1. Floorcloths 2. Cleaning cloths 3. Edgings and trimmings 4. Passementerie 5. Belts 6. Braces 7. Suspenders and garters 8. Shoe and boot laces 9. Ribbons 10. Elastic 11. New packaging sold as such 12. Packing string and agricultural twine; st ring, cordage and ropes other than those 
falling within item 38 of Annex V
13 
13. Table mats 14. Handkerchiefs 15. Bun nets and hair nets 16. Ties and bow ties for children 17. Bibs; washgloves and face flannels 18. Sewing, mending and embroidery yarns presen ted for retail sale in small quantities 
with a net weight of 1 gram or less 
19. Tape for curtains and blinds and shutters 
__________ 
                                                
 
13 For the products falling within this item and sold in cut lengths, the inclusive labelling shall be that of 
the reel. The cordage and ropes falling within this item include those used in mountaineering and water 
sports.  
EN 33   EN ANNEX VII  
ITEMS NOT TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCO UNT FOR THE DETERMINATION OF 
FIBRE PERCENTAGES 
(Article 16)) 
Products Items excluded 
a) All textile 
products (i) Non-textile parts, selvedges,  labels and badges, edgings and 
trimmings not forming an integral part of the product, buttons and 
buckles covered with textile mate rials, accessories, decorations, non-
elastic ribbons, elastic threads and bands added at specific and limited 
points of the product.  
(ii) Fatty substances, binders, we ightings, sizings and dressings, 
impregnating products, additional dy eing and printing products and 
other textile processing products.  
b) Floor coverings and carpets All components other than the use-surface 
c) Upholstery fabrics Binding and filling warps and wefts which do not form part of the 
use-surface 
d) Hangings and curtains Binding and filling warps and wefts which do not form part of the 
right side of the fabric 
e) Socks Elastic yarns used in the cuff and the stiffening and reinforcement 
yarns of the toe and the heel 
f) Tights Elastic yarns used in the be lt and the stiffening and reinforcement 
yarns of the toe and the heel 
g) Textile products other than those under points b) to f) Base or underlying fabrics, stiffenings and reinforcements, inter-
linings and canvas backings, stitch ing and assembly threads unless 
they replace the warp and/or weft of the fabric, filli ngs not having an 
insulating function and, subject to Article 13(1), linings. 
For the purposes of this provision: (i) the base or underlying materi al of textile products which 
serve as a backing for the use-surface, in particular in blankets and double fabrics, and the backings of velvet or 
plush fabrics and kindred products  shall not be regarded as 
backings to be removed 
(ii) ‘stiffenings and reinforcements’ mean the yarns or materials 
added at specific and limited points of the textile products to strengthen them or to give them stiffness or thickness  
EN 34   EN __________  
EN 35   EN ANNEX VIII  
METHODS FOR THE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF BINARY AND TERNARY 
TEXTILE FIBRE MIXTURES  
CHAPTER 1 
I. Preparation of test samples and test spec imens to determine the fibre composition of 
textile products 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This Chapter gives procedures for obtaining laboratory test samples of a suitable size for pre-
treatment for quantitative analysis (i.e. of a mass not exceeding 100 g) from laboratory bulk 
samples, and for selecting test specimens from the laboratory test samples that have been pre-treated to remove non-fibrous matter
14. 
2. DEFINITIONS 2.1. Bulk source — The quantity of material which is assessed on the basis of one series of 
test results. This may comprise, for example, all the material in one delivery of cloth; all the 
cloth woven from a particular beam; a consignmen t of yarn, a bale or a group of bales of raw 
fibre. 
2.2. Laboratory bulk sample — The portion of the bulk source taken to be representative of 
the whole, and which is available to the labor atory. The size and nature of the laboratory bulk 
sample shall be sufficient to adequately overc ome the variability of the bulk source and to 
facilitate ease of handling in the laboratory
15. 
2.3. Laboratory test sample — That  portion of the laboratory bulk sa mple that is subjected to 
pre-treatment to remove non-fibrous matter, an d from which test specimens are taken. The 
size and nature of the laboratory test sample shall be sufficient to overcome adequately the 
variability of the laboratory bulk sample16. 
2.4. Test specimen — The portion of material requi red to give an indivi dual test result, and 
selected from the laboratory test sample. 
3. PRINCIPLE The laboratory test sample is selected so that it is representative of the laboratory bulk sample. The test specimens are taken from the laboratory te st sample in such a way that each of them 
is representative of the laboratory test sample. 
4. SAMPLING FROM LOOSE FIBRES 
                                                
 
14 In some cases it is necessary to pr e-treat the individual test specimen. 
15 For made-up and finished articles see Section 7. 
16 See point 1.  
EN 36   EN 4.1. Unorientated fibres — Obtain the laborator y test sample by selecting tufts at random 
from the laboratory bulk sample. Mix thoroughl y the whole of the labor atory test sample by 
means of a laboratory carder17. Subject the web or mixture, in cluding loose fibr es and fibres 
adhering to the equipment used for mixing, to pr e-treatment. Then select test specimens, in 
proportion to the respective masses, from the web or mixture, from the loose fibres and from 
the fibres adhering to the equipment. 
If the card web remains intact after pre-treatm ent, select the test specimens in the manner 
described in 4.2. If the card web is disturbed by  the pre-treatment, select each test specimen 
by removing at random at least 16 small tufts of suitable and approximately equal size and 
then combine them. 
4.2. Orientated fibres (cards, webs, slivers, r ovings) — From randomly selected parts of the 
laboratory bulk sample cut not less than 10 crosssections each of mass approximately 1 g. 
Subject the laboratory test sample so formed  to the pre-treatment.  Recombine the cross-
sections by laying them side by side and obtai n the test specimen by cutting through them so 
as to take a portion of each of the 10 lengths. 
5. SAMPLING YARN 5.1. Yarn in packages or in banks — Sample a ll the packages in the bulk laboratory sample. 
Withdraw the appropriate continuous equal lengths from each package either by winding 
skeins of the same numbe r of turns on a wrap-reel
18, or by some other means. Unite the 
lengths side by side either as a single skein or  as a tow to form the laboratory test sample, 
ensuring that there are equal lengths fr om each package in the skein or tow. 
Subject the laboratory test sa mple to the pre-treatment. 
Take test specimens from the laboratory test  sample by cutting a bunch of threads of equal 
length from the skein or tow, taking care to see that the bunch contains all the threads in the 
sample. 
If the tex of the yarn is t and the number of packages selected from the laboratory bulk sample 
is n, then to obtain a test sample of 10 g, th e length of yarn to be withdrawn from each 
package is 106/nt cm 
If nt is high, i.e. more than 2 000, wind a heav ier skein and cut it across in two places to make 
a tow of suitable mass. The ends of any sample in the form of a tow shall be securely tied before pre-treatment and test specimens taken from a place remote from the tie bands. 
5.2. Yarn on warp — Take the la boratory test sample by cutting a length from the end of the 
warp, not less than 20 cm long and comprising a ll the yarns in the warp except the selvedge 
yarns, which are rejected. Tie th e bunch of threads together near  one end. If the sample is too 
large for pre-treatment as a whole divide it in to two or more portions , each tied together for 
pre-treatment, and reunite the portions after each  has been pre-treated separately. Take a test 
specimen by cutting a suitable length from the laboratory test sample from the end remote 
                                                
 
17 The laboratory carder may be replaced by a fibre blen der, or the fibres may be mixed by the method of 
‘tufts and rejects’ 
18 If the packages can be mounted in a convenient  creel a number can be wound simultaneously.  
EN 37   EN from the tie band, and comprising all the threads in  the warp. For warp of N threads of tex t, 
the length of a specimen of mass 1 g is 105/Nt cm. 
6. SAMPLING FABRIC 6.1. From a laboratory bulk sample consisting of  a single cutting repres entative of the cloth 
— Cut a diagonal strip from one corner to the ot her and remove the selvedges. This strip is 
the laboratory test sample. To obtain a laboratory test sample of x g, the strip area shall be x10
4/G cm2
. 
where G is the mass of the cloth in g/m2. 
Subject the laboratory test sample to the pre-treatment and then cut the strip transversely into 
four equal lengths and superimpose them. Take test specimens from any part of the layered 
material by cutting through all the layers so th at each specimen contains an equal length of 
each layer.  
If the fabric has a woven design, make the wi dth of the laboratory te st sample, measured 
parallel to the warp direction, not less than one warp repeat of the design. If, with this 
condition satisfied, the laboratory te st sample is too large to be treated as a whol e, cut it into 
equal parts, pre-treat them sepa rately, and superimpose these part s before selection of the test 
specimen, taking care that corresponding pa rts of the design do not coincide. 
6.2. From a laboratory bulk sample consisting of several cuttings 
— Treat each cutting as described in  6.1, and give each result separately. 
7. SAMPLING MADE-UP AND FINISHED PRODUCTS The bulk laboratory sample is normally a co mplete made-up or finished product or 
representative fraction of one. 
Where appropriate determine the percentage of the various part s of the product not having the 
same fibre content, in order to  check compliance with Article 13. 
Select a laboratory test sample representative of  the part of the made-up or finished product, 
whose composition must be shown by the label.  If the product has se veral labels, select 
laboratory test samples representative of each part corresponding to a given label. 
If the product whose composition is to be determined is not uniform, it may be necessary to 
select laboratory test samples from each of the parts of the product and to determine the relative proportions of the va rious parts in relation to the whole product in question. 
Then calculate the percentage s taking into account the relative proportions of the sampled 
parts. 
Subject the laboratory test sa mples to the pre-treatment. 
Then select test specimens representative of  the pre-treated laboratory test samples. 
II. Introduction to the methods for the quant itative analysis of textile fibre mixtures  
EN 38   EN Methods for the quantitative anal ysis of fibre mixtures are ba sed on two main processes, the 
manual separation and the chemical separation of fibres. 
The method of manual separation shall be used  whenever possible since it generally gives 
more accurate results than the chemical met hod. It can be used fo r all textiles whose 
component fibres do not form an intimate mi xture, as for example in the case of yarns 
composed of several elements each of which is made up of only one type of fibre, or fabrics 
in which the fibre of the warp is of a different kind  to that of the we ft, or knitted fabrics 
capable of being unravelled made up of yarns of different types. 
In general, the methods of chemical quantitat ive analysis are based on the selective solution 
of the individual components. After the remova l of a component the insoluble residue is 
weighed, and the proportion of the soluble com ponent is calculated from the loss in mass. 
This first part of the Annex gives the informa tion common to the analyses by this method of 
all fibre mixtures dealt with in the Annex, whatev er their composition. It shall thus be used in 
conjunction with the succeeding individual secti ons of the Annex, which contain the detailed 
procedures applicable to part icular fibre mixtures. Occasionally, an analysis is based on a 
principle other than selective solution; in such cases full details are given in the appropriate 
section. 
Mixtures of fibres during proces sing and, to a lesser extent, fi nished textiles may contain non-
fibrous matter, such as fats, waxes or dressi ngs, or water-soluble matter, either occurring 
naturally or added to facil itate processing. Non-fibrous matter must be removed before 
analysis. For this reason a method for removing oils, fats, waxes and water-soluble matter is 
also given.  
In addition, textiles may contain resins or ot her matter added to conf er special properties. 
Such matter, including dyestuffs in exceptional cases, may interfere with the action of the reagent on the soluble component and/or it ma y be partially or completely removed by the 
reagent. This type of added matter may thus cause errors and shall be removed before the 
sample is analysed. If it is impossible to remove such added matter the methods for 
quantitative chemical analysis given in  this Annex are no longer applicable. 
Dye in dyed fabrics is considered to be an in tegral part of the fi bre and is not removed. 
Analyses are conducted on the basis of dry mass and a procedure is given for determining dry 
mass. 
The result is obtained by applying to the dry ma ss of each fibre the agreed allowances listed 
in Annex IX to this Regulation. 
Before proceeding with any anal ysis, all the fibres present in  the mixture shall have been 
identified. In some methods, the insoluble com ponent of a mixture may be partially dissolved 
in the reagent used to disso lve the soluble component(s). 
Where possible, reagents have been chosen that have little or no effect  on the insoluble fibres. 
If loss in mass is known to occu r during the analysis, the result shall be corrected; correction 
factors for this purpose are given. These factors ha ve been determined in several laboratories 
by treating, with the appropriate r eagent as specified in the met hod of analysis, fibres cleaned 
by the pre-treatment.  
EN 39   EN These correction factors apply onl y to undegraded fibres and di fferent correction factors may 
be necessary if the fibres have been degrad ed before or during processing. The procedures 
given apply to single determinations.  
At least two determinations on separate test specimens shall be made, both in the case of 
manual separation and in the case of chemical separation.  
For confirmation, unless technically impossibl e, it is recommended to use alternative 
procedures whereby the constituent that was th e residue in the standard method is dissolved 
out first.  
EN 40   EN CHAPTER 2 
Methods for quantitative analysis of  certain binary fibre mixtures 
I. General information common to the meth ods given for the quantitative chemical 
analysis of textil e fibre mixtures 
I.1. Scope and field of application The field of application for each method specifies  to which fibres the method is applicable. 
I.2. Principle 
After the identification of the components of a mixture, th e non-fibrous material is removed 
by suitable pre-treatment and then one of th e components, usually by selective solution
19. The 
insoluble residue is weighed a nd the proportion of soluble com ponent calculated from the loss 
in mass. Except where this presents technical diffi culties, it is preferable to dissolve the fibre 
present in the greater proportion, thus obtaining the fibre presen t in the smaller proportion as 
residue. 
I.3. Materials and equipment 
I.3.1. Apparatus 
I.3.1.1. Filter crucibles a nd weighing bottles larg e enough to contain such  crucibles, or any 
other apparatus giving identical results. 
I.3.1.2. Vacuum flask. I.3.1.3. Desiccator containing se lf-indicating silica gel. 
I.3.1.4. Ventilated oven for drying specimens at 105 ± 3 ºC. I.3.1.5. Analytical balance, accurate to 0,0002 g. I.3.1.6. Soxhlet extractor or other ap paratus giving identical results. 
I.3.2. Reagents 
I.3.2.1. Light petroleum, redisti lled, boiling range 40 to 60ºC. 
I.3.2.2. Other reagents are specified in the appr opriate sections of each method. All reagents 
used should be chemically pure. 
I.3.2.3. Distilled or deionized water. I.3.2.4. Acetone. I.3.2.5. Orthophosphoric acid. 
                                                
 
19 Method 12 is an exception. It is based on a determination of the content of a constituent substance of 
one of the two components .  
EN 41   EN I.3.2.6. Urea. 
I.3.2.7. Sodium bicarbonate. All reagents used shall be chemically pure. 
I.4. Conditioning and testing atmosphere 
Because dry masses are determined, it is unnecessa ry to condition the specimen or to conduct 
analyses in a conditioned atmosphere. 
I.5. Laboratory test sample 
Take a laboratory test sample that is representative of the laboratory bulk sample and 
sufficient to provide all the specimens, each of at least 1 g, that are required. 
I.6. Pre-treatment of laboratory test sample
20 
Where a substance not to be taken into account in the percentage calcu lations (see Article 16) 
of this Regulation) is present, it shall firs t be removed by a suitable method that does not 
affect any of the fibre constituents. 
For this purpose, non-fibrous matter which can be extracted with light petroleum and water is 
removed by treating the air-dry test  sample in a Soxhlet extractor with light petroleum for one 
hour at a minimum rate of six cycles per hour. Allow the light petroleu m to evaporate from 
the sample, which is then extracted by direct tr eatment consisting in soaking the specimen in 
water at room temperature for one hour and then soaking it in water at 65 ± 5 °C for a further 
hour, agitating the liquor from time to time. Use a liquor-specimen ratio of 100:1. Remove the 
excess water from the sample by squeezing, suction or centrifuging and then allow the sample to become air-dry. 
In the case of elastolefin or fibre mixtures containing elastolefin a nd other fibres (wool, 
animal hair, silk, cotton, flax, true hemp, jute , abaca, alfa, coir, broom, ramie, sisal, cupro, 
modal, protein, viscose, acrylic, polyamide  or nylon, polyester, elastomultiester) the 
procedure just described shall be  slightly modified, in fact light petroleum ether shall be 
replaced by acetone. 
In the case of binary mixtures containing elas tolefin and acetate the following procedure shall 
apply as pre-treatment. Extract the specimen for 10 minutes at 80 °C with a solution 
containing 25 g/l of 50 % orthophosphoric aci d and 50 g/l of urea. Use a liquor-specimen 
ratio of 100:1. Wash the specimen in water, then drain and wash it in a 0,1 % sodium 
bicarbonate solution, finally wa sh it carefully in water. 
Where non-fibrous matter cannot be extracted w ith light petroleum and water, it shall be 
removed by substituting for the water method desc ribed above a suitable method that does not 
substantially alter any of the fibre consti tuents. However, for some unbleached, natural 
vegetable fibres (e.g. jute, coir) it is to be noted that normal pre-treatment with light 
petroleum and water does not remove all the natural non-fibrous substances; nevertheless 
                                                
 
20 See Chapter 1.1  
EN 42   EN additional pre-treatment is not applied unless th e sample does contain finishes insoluble in 
both light petroleum and water. 
Analysis reports shall include full details  of the methods of pre-treatment used. 
I.7. Test procedure 
I.7.1. General instructions I.7.1.1. D r y i n g 
Conduct all drying operations for not less than four hours and not  more than 16 hours at 105 ± 
3 ºC in a ventilated ov en with the oven door closed throug hout. If the drying period is less 
than 14 hours, the specimen must be weighed to check that its mass has become constant. The 
mass may be considered to have become cons tant if, after a furt her drying period of 60 
minutes, its variation is less than 0,05 %. 
Avoid handling crucibles and weighing bottles, sp ecimens or residues with bare hands during 
the drying, cooling and weighing operations.  
Dry specimens in a weighing bottle with its  cover beside it. Af ter drying, stopper the 
weighing bottle before removing it from the oven, and transfer it quickly to the desiccator. 
Dry the filter crucible in a weighing bottle wi th its cover beside it in the oven. After drying, 
close the weighing bottle and transf er it quickly to the desiccator. 
Where apparatus other than a filter crucible is  used, drying operations in the oven shall be 
conducted in such a way as to enable the dry mass of the fibres to be determined without loss. 
I.7.1.2. C o o l i n g 
Conduct all cooling operations in the desiccator  the latter placed besi de the balance, until 
complete cooling of the weighing bottles is attained, and in any case for not less than two hours. 
I.7.1.3. We i g h i n g 
After cooling, complete the weighing of the weighing bottle within two minutes of its 
removal from the desiccator. Weigh to an accuracy of 0,0002 g. 
I.7.2. Procedure 
Take from the pre-treated laboratory test samp le a test specimen weighing at least 1 g. Cut 
yarn or cloth into lengths of about 10 mm, dissected as much as possible. Dry the specimen in 
a weighing bottle, cool it in th e desiccator and weigh it. Transf er the specimen to the glass 
vessel specified in the appropr iate section of the relevant  Community method, reweigh the 
weighing bottle immediately and obtain the dry ma ss of the specimen by difference. Complete 
the test as specified in the appropriate secti on of the applicable method. Examine the residue 
microscopically to check that the treatment has in fact completely removed the soluble fibre. 
I.8. Calculation and expression of results  
EN 43   EN Express the mass of the insoluble component as a percen tage of the total ma ss of fibre in the 
mixture. The percentage of soluble component is  obtained by difference.  Calculate the results 
on the basis of clean, dry mass, adjusted by (a) the agreed allowances and (b) the correction 
factors necessary to take account of loss of  matter during pre-treatment and analysis. 
Calculations shall be made by a pplying the formula given in I.8.2. 
I.8.1. Calculation of percentage of inso luble component on clean, dry mass basis, 
disregarding loss of fibre mass during pre-treatment.  
mrdP100%1=  
where 
P1% is the percentage of clean, dry insoluble component, 
m is the percentage of dry mass of th e test specimen after pre-treatment, 
r is the dry mass of the residue, d is the correction factor fo r loss in mass of the insolubl e component in the reagent 
during the analysis. Suitable values for "d" are given in the relevant section of each method. 
Of course, these values for “d” are the normal values applicable to chemically undegraded 
fibres. 
I.8.2. Calculation of percentage of insolu ble component on clean, dry mass basis, with 
adjustment by conventional factors and, wher e appropriate, correction factors for loss of 
mass during pre-treatment. 
 
⎟
⎠⎞⎜
⎝⎛++−+⎟
⎠⎞⎜
⎝⎛++⎟
⎠⎞⎜
⎝⎛++
=
1001) 100(1001100) (1 100
%
2 2
11 1
11 1
1
1b aPbaPbaP
PA  
where 
P1A% is the percentage of insoluble component adjusted by conventional agreed allowances 
and for loss in mass during pre-treatment. 
P1 is the percentage of clean dry insoluble comp onent as calculated from the formula shown in 
I.8.1. 
a1 is the conventional agreed allowance for the insoluble component (see Annex IX) 
a2 is the conventional agreed a llowance for the soluble component (see Annex IX) 
b1 is the percentage loss of insoluble component caused by pre-treatment 
b2 is the percentage loss of solubl e component caused by pre-treatment  
EN 44   EN The percentage of the second component is P 2A% = 100 - P 1A% 
Where a special pre-treatment ha s been used, the values of b 1 and b 2 shall be determined, if 
possible, by submitting each of the pure fibre cons tituents to the pre-treatment applied in the 
analysis. Pure fibres are those free from all non-fibrous material except that which they 
normally contain (either naturally or because of the manufacturing process), in the state 
(unbleached, bleached) in which they are found in the material to be analysed. 
Where no clean separate constituent fibres used in the manufacture of the material to be 
analysed are available, average values of b 1 and b 2 as obtained from tests performed on clean 
fibres similar to those in the mixt ure under examination, shall be used. 
If normal pre-treatment by extract ion with light petroleum and water is applied, correction 
factors b 1 and b 2 may generally be ignored, except in the case of unbleached cotton, 
unbleached flax and unbleached hemp, where the loss due to the pre-treatment is 
conventionally taken as 4 %, and in the case of  polypropylene, where it is taken as 1 %. 
In the case of other fibres, losses due to the pre-treatment are conventionally disregarded in 
calculations. 
II. Method of quantitative analysis by manual separation 
II.1. Field of application 
This method is applicable to te xtile fibres of all types provide d they do not form an intimate 
mixture and that it is possible to separate them by hand. 
II.2. Principle 
After identification of the constituents of the textile, the non-fibrous material is removed by 
suitable pre-treatment and then the fibres are se parated by hand, dried an d weighed in order to 
calculate the proportion of each  fibre in the mixture. 
II.3. Apparatus 
II.3.1. Weighing bottle or any other apparatus giving identical results. 
II.3.2. Desiccator containing self-indicating silica gel. 
II.3.3. Ventilated oven for drying specimens at 105 ± 3 ºC. II.3.4. Analytical balance, accurate to 0,0002 g. II.3.5. Soxhlet extractor, or other ap paratus giving an identical result. 
II.3.6. Needle. II.3.7. Twist tester or similar apparatus. II.4. Reagents II.4.1. Light petroleum, redist illed, boiling range 40 to 60 ºC.  
EN 45   EN II.4.2. Distilled or deionized water. 
II.5. Conditioning and testing atmosphere 
See I.4. 
II.6. Laboratory test sample 
See I.5. 
II.7. Pre-treatment of laboratory test sample 
See I.6. 
II.8. Procedure 
II.8.1. Analysis of yarn 
Select from the pre-treatment laboratory test sample a specimen of mass not less than 1 g. For 
a very fine yarn, the analysis may be made on a minimum length of 30 m, whatever its mass. 
Cut the yarn into pieces of a suitable length and separate the fibre types by means of a needle 
and, if necessary, a twist tester. The fibre types so obtained are placed in pre-weighed 
weighing bottles and dried at 105 ± 3 ºC until a constant mass is obtained, as described in 
I.7.1 and I.7.2. 
II.8.2. Analysis of cloth 
Select from the pre-treated laboratory test sample, well away from all selvedges, a specimen 
of mass not less than 1 g, with edges carefully  trimmed to avoid fray ing and running parallel 
with weft or warp yarns, or in the case of kn itted fabrics in the line of wales and courses. 
Separate the different fibre types, collect them  in pre-weighed weighing bottles and proceed 
as described in II.8.1. 
II.9. Calculation and expression of results 
Express the mass of each fibre constituent as a per centage of the total mass of the fibres in the 
mixture. Calculate the results on the basis of clean, dry mass,  adjusted by (a) the agreed 
allowances and (b) the correction factors neces sary to take account of loss of matter during 
pre-treatment. 
II.9.1. Calculation of percenta ge masses of clean, dry fibre, disregarding loss of fibre mass 
during pre-treatment: 
12 2 11
1
1100 100%
mm m mmP
+=+=
 
P1% is  the percentage of the first clean, dry component, 
m1 is the clean, dry mass of the first component,  
EN 46   EN m2 is the clean, dry mass of the second component. 
II.9.2. For calculation of the pe rcentage of each component with adjustment by agreed 
allowances and, where appropriate, by corre ction factors for loss of matter during pre-
treatment, see I.8.2. 
III.1. Precision of the methods 
The precision indicated in individual methods relates to the reproducibility. 
The reproducibility refers to the reliability , i.e. the closeness of agreement between 
experimental values obtained by  operators in different laborator ies or at differe nt times using 
the same method and obtaining individual results  on specimens of an identical consistent 
mixture. 
The reproducibility is expressed by confidence limits of the results for a confidence level of 
95 %. 
Therefore, the difference between two results in  a series of analyses made in different 
laboratories would, given a norma l and correct application of th e method to an identical and 
consistent mixture, be exceeded only in five cases out of a 100. 
III.2. Test report 
III.2.1. State that the analysis was conduc ted in accordance with this method. 
III.2.2. Give details of any special pre-treatment (see I.6). III.2.3. Give the individual results and the arithmetic mean, each to an accuracy of 0,1. 
IV. Special methods  
SUMMARY TABLE 
Field of application Method 
Soluble component Insoluble component Reagent 
1.  Acetate Certain other fibres Acetone 
2.  Certain protein fibres Ce rtain other fibres Hypochlorite 
3.  Viscose, cupro or certain types 
of modal Cotton, elastolefin or 
melamine Formic acid and 
zinc chloride 
4.  Polyamide or nylon Certain other fibres Formic acid, 80% 
m/m 
5.  Acetate Triacetate, elastolefin 
or melamine Benzyl alcohol 
6.  Triacetate or polylactide Cert ain other fibres Dichloromethane  
EN 47   EN 7.  Certain cellulose fibres Polyester, 
elastomultiester or elastolefin Sulphuric acid, 75% 
m/m 
8.  Acrylics, certain modacrylics 
or certain chlorofibres Certain other fibres Dimethylformamide 
9.  Certain chlorofibres Certain other fibres Carbon 
disulphide/acetone, 55,5/44,5 v/v 
10. Acetate Certain chlorofibres, 
elastolefin or melamine Glacial acetic acid 
11.  Silk Wool, hair, 
elastolefin or melamine Sulphuric acid, 75% 
m/m 
12.  Jute Certain animal  fibres Nitrogen content 
method 
13.  Polypropylene Certain other fibres Xylene 
14.  Certain other fibres Chlorofibres 
(homopolymers of vinyl chloride), elastolefin or melamine Concentrated 
sulphuric acid method 
15. Chlorofibres, certain 
modacrylics, certain elastanes, acetates, triacetates Certain other fibres Cyclohexanone 
16. Melamine Cotton or aramid Hot formic acid, 
90%m/m 
  
EN 48   EN METHOD No 1 
ACETATE AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Acetone method) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. acetate (19) with 2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), silk (4), cotton (5), flax (7) true hemp (8), jute (9), abaca 
(10), alfa (11), coir (12), broom (13), ramie ( 14), sisal (15), cupro ( 21), modal (22), protein 
(23), viscose (25), acrylic (26), polyamide or ny lon (30), polyester (35) elastomultiester (46), 
elastolefin (47) and melamine (48). 
In no circumstances is the method applicable to  acetate fibres which have been deacetylated 
on the surface. 
2. PRINCIPLE The acetate is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, with acetone. The residue 
is collected, washed, dried and weighed; its ma ss, corrected if necessa ry, is expressed as a 
percentage of the dry mass of the mixture.  The percentage of dry acetate is found by 
difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (a dditional to those specified in  the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus Glass-stoppered conical flasks  of at least 200 ml capacity. 
3.2. Reagent Acetone. 4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the gene ral instructions and proceed as follows: 
To the specimen contained in a glass-stoppered conical flask of at le ast 200 ml capacity, add 
100 ml of acetone per gram of specimen, shake the flask, stand it fo r 30 minutes at room 
temperature, stirring from time to time, and then decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucible. 
Repeat the treatment twice more  (making three extractions in all), but for periods of 15 
minutes only, so that the total time of treatment  in acetone is one hour. Transfer the residue to 
the filter crucible. Wash the residue in the filte r crucible with acetone and drain with suction. 
Refill the crucible with acetone and allow to drain under gravity.  
EN 49   EN Finally, drain the crucible with suction, dry the crucible and residue , and cool and weigh 
them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00, except 
for melamine, for which ‘d’=1,01. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 50   EN METHOD No 2 
CERTAIN PROTEIN FIBRES A ND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Method using hypochlorite) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. certain protein fibres, namely: wool (1), an imal hair (2 and 3), s ilk (4), protein (23) 
with 2. cotton (5), cupro (21), viscose (25), acrylic  (26), chlorofibres ( 27), polyamide or nylon 
(30), polyester (35), polypropylene (37), elastane (43), glass fibr e (44) elastomultiester (46), 
elastolefin (47) and melamine (48). 
If different protein fibr es are present, the method gives the total of their am ounts but not their 
individual quantities. 
2. PRINCIPLE The protein fibre is dissolved out from a know n dry mass of the mixture, with a hypochlorite 
solution. The residue is collected, washed, dried and weighed; its mass, corrected if necessary, 
is expressed as a percentage of  the dry mass of the mixture. The percentage of dry protein 
fibre is found by difference. 
Either lithium hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorit e can be used for the preparation of the 
hypochlorite solution. 
Lithium hypochlorite is recommended in cases involving a small number of analyses or for 
analyses conducted at fairly leng thy intervals. This is because  the percentage of hypochlorite 
in solid lithium hypochlorite — unlike that in so dium hypochlorite — is vi rtually constant. If 
the percentage of hypochlorite is known, hypochlorite content need not be checked 
iodometrically for each analysis, since a cons tant weighed portion of lithium hypochl orite can 
be employed. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Erlenmeyer flask with ground-glass stopper, 250 ml; 
(ii) thermostat, adjustable to 20 (± 2) ºC. 3.2. Reagents (i) Hypochlorite reagent 
(a) L i t h i u m h y p o c h l o r i t e s o l u t i o n  
EN 51   EN This consists of a freshly prepared soluti on containing 35 (± 2) g/l of active chlorine 
(approximately 1 M), to which 5 (± 0,5) g/l of previously dissolved sodium hydroxide is 
added. To prepare, dissolve 100 grams of  lithium hypochlorite containing 35 % active 
chlorine (or 115 grams containing 30 % active chlorine ) in approximately 700 ml of distilled 
water, add 5 grams of sodium hydroxide dissolved in approximately 200 ml of distilled water and make up to 1 litre with dist illed water. The solution which ha s been freshly prepared need 
not be checked iodometrically. 
(b) S o d i um h y p o c h l o r i t e s o l u t i o n This consists of a freshly prepared soluti on containing 35 (± 2) g/l of active chlorine 
(approximately 1 M) to which 5 (± 0,5) g/l of previously dissolved  sodium hydroxide is 
added. 
Check the active chlorine content of the so lution iodometrically be fore each analysis. 
(ii) Acetic acid, dilute solution 
Dilute 5 ml of glacial acetic  acid to 1 litre with water. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the genera l instructions and proceed as follows: mix 
approximately 1 gram of the sample with appr oximately 100 ml of th e hypochlorite solution 
(lithium or sodium hypochlorite) in the 250 ml fl ask and agitate thoroughly in order to wet out 
the sample. 
Then heat the flask for 40 minutes in a thermostat  at 20 ºC and agitate co ntinuously, or at least 
at regular intervals. Since the dissolution of the wool procee ds exothermically, the reaction 
heat of this method must be di stributed and removed. Otherwise,  considerable errors may be 
caused by the incipient dissoluti on of the non-soluble fibres. 
After 40 minutes, filter the flask contents throu gh a weighed glass-filter crucible and transfer 
any residual fibres into the fi lter crucible by rinsing the fl ask with a little hypochlorite 
reagent. Drain the crucible with suction and wa sh the residue successively with water, dilute 
acetic acid, and finally water, dr aining the crucible with sucti on after each addition. Do not 
apply suction until each washing liquor has drained under gravity. 
Finally, drain the crucible with suction, dry the crucib le with the residue,  and cool and weigh 
them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00, except 
for cotton, viscose, modal and melamine fo r which ‘d’ = 1,01, and unbleached cotton, for 
which ‘d’ = 1,03. 
6. PRECISION On homogeneous mixtures of textile materials,  the confidence limits for results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 52   EN METHOD No 3 
VISCOSE, CUPRO OR CERTAIN TYPES OF MODAL AND COTTON 
(Method using formic acid and zinc chloride)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. viscose (25) or cupro (21), includi ng certain types of modal fibre (22), 
with 2. cotton (5), elastolefin (47) and melamine (48). 
If a modal fibre is found to be presen t, a preliminary te st shall be carried
 out to see whether it 
is soluble in the reagent. 
This method is not applicable to  mixtures in which the cotton has suffered extensive chemical 
degradation nor when the viscose or cupro is  rendered incompletely soluble by the presence 
of certain dyes or finishes that cannot be removed completely. 
2. PRINCIPLE The viscose, cupro or modal fibre is dissolved  from a known dry mass of the mixture, with a 
reagent consisting of formic acid and zinc chlo ride. The residue is collected, washed, dried 
and weighed; its corrected mass is expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the mixture. 
The percentage of dry viscose, cupro or modal fibre is found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) glass-stoppered conical flas ks of at least 200 ml capacity; 
(ii) apparatus for maintaini ng flasks at 40 (± 2) ºC. 
3.2. Reagents (i) Solution containing 20 g of fused anhydrous zinc chloride and 68 g of anhydrous formic 
acid made up to 100 g with water (namely 20 parts by mass of fused anhydrous zinc chloride 
to 80 parts by mass of 85 % m/m formic acid). 
NB: 
Attention is drawn, in this re spect, to point I.3.2.2, which la ys down that all reagents used 
shall be chemically pure; in addition, it is e ssential to use only fused anhydrous zinc chloride. 
(ii) Ammonium hydroxide solution: dilute 20 ml of a concentrated ammonia solution (specific 
gravity 0,880 g/ml) to 1 litre with water.  
EN 53   EN 4. TEST PROCEDURE 
Follow the procedure described in the general instructions and proceed as follows: place the 
specimen immediately in the flask, pre-heated to 40 ºC. Add 100 ml of the solution of formic 
acid and zinc chloride, pre-heated  to 40 ºC per gram of specime n. Insert the stopper and shake 
the flask vigorously. Keep the flask and its conten ts at a constant temperature of 40 ºC for two 
hours and a half, shaking the flask at hourly intervals. 
Filter the contents of the flask through the weighed filter crucib le and with the help of the 
reagent transfer to the crucible any fibres remaining in the flask. Rinse with 20 ml of reagent. 
Wash crucible and residue thoroughly with wa ter at 40 ºC. Rinse th e fibrous residue in 
approximately 100 ml of cold ammonia solution (3.2.ii) ensuring that this residue remains 
wholly immersed in the solution for 10 minutes ( 1); then rinse thoroughly with cold water. 
Do not apply suction until each washi ng liquor has drained under gravity. 
Finally, drain the remaining liqui d with suction, dry the crucib le and residue, and cool and 
weigh them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as descri bed in the general instructions . The value of ‘d’ is 1,02 for 
cotton ,1,01 for melamine and 1,00 for elastolefin. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 2 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 54   EN METHOD No 4 
POLYAMIDE OR NYLON, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Method using 80 % m/m formic acid) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. polyamide or nylon, (30), with 2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), cotton (5), cupro (21), m odal (22), viscose (25), acrylic 
(26), chlorofibre (27), polyester  (35), polypropylene (37), gla ss fibre (44), elastomultiester 
(46), elastolefin (47)  and melamine (48). 
As mentioned above, this method is  also applicable to mixtures with wool, but when the wool 
content exceeds 25 %, method No 2 shall be applie d (dissolving wool in a solution of alkaline 
sodium hypochlorite). 
2. PRINCIPLE The polyamide fibre is dissolved out from a known  dry mass of the mixture, with formic acid. 
The residue is collected, washed, dried and we ighed; its mass, corrected if necessary, is 
expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of th e mixture. The percentage of dry polyamide or 
nylon is found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity. 
3.2. Reagents (i) Formic acid (80 % m/m, relative density at 20 ºC: 1,186). Dilute  880 ml of 90 % m/m 
formic acid (relative density at 20 ºC: 1,204) to 1 litre with water. Altern atively, dilute 780 ml 
of 98 to 100 % m/m formic acid (relative density at 20 ºC: 1,22 0) to 1 litre with water. 
The concentration is not critical within  the range 77 to 83 % m/m formic acid. 
(ii) Ammonia, dilute solution: dilute 80 ml of concentrated ammonia solution (relative density 
at 20 ºC: 0,880) to 1 litre with water. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the general instructions and procee d as follows: to the 
specimen contained in the conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity, add 100 ml of formic acid 
per gram of specimen. Insert the stopper, shak e the flask to wet out the specimen. Stand the 
flask for 15 minutes at room temperature, shak ing it at intervals. Filter the contents of the  
EN 55   EN flask through the weighed filter crucible and tr ansfer any residual fibres to the crucible by 
washing out the flask with a little formic acid reagent. 
Drain the crucible with suction and wash the residue on the filter successively with formic 
acid reagent, hot water, dilute ammonia solution,  and finally cold water,  draining the crucible 
with suction after each addition. Do not appl y suction until each wa shing liquor has drained 
under gravity. 
Finally, drain the crucible with suction, dry the crucible and residue , and cool and weigh 
them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00, except 
for melamine, for which ‘d’=1,01. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 56   EN METHOD No 5 
ACETATE AND TRIACETATE 
(Method using benzyl alcohol) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
— acetate (19) with — triacetate (24), elastolefi n (47) and melamine (48). 
2. PRINCIPLE The acetate fibre is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mi xture, with benzyl alcohol 
at 52 ± 2 ºC. 
The residue is collected, washed, dried and weig hed; its mass is expressed as a percentage of 
the dry mass of the mixture. The percenta ge of dry acetate is found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Glass-stoppered conical flas k of at least 200 ml capacity. 
(ii) Mechanical shaker. (iii) Thermostat or other apparatus for keep ing the flask at a temp erature of 52 ± 2 ºC. 
3.2. Reagents (i) Benzyl alcohol, (ii) Ethanol. 4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the gene ral instructions and proceed as follows: 
To the specimen contained in the conical flask,  add 100 ml of benzyl alcohol per gram of 
specimen. Insert the stopper, secure the flask to the shaker so that it is immersed in the water-
bath, kept at 52 ± 2 ºC, and shake fo r 20 minutes at this temperature. 
(Instead of using a mechanical shaker, th e flask may be shaken vigorously by hand). 
Decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucib le. Add a further dose of benzyl alcohol in 
the flask and shake as before at 52 ± 2 ºC for 20 minutes.  
EN 57   EN Decant the liquid through the crucible. Repeat  the cycle of operations a third time. 
Finally pour the liquid and the residue into the crucible; wash any remaining fibres from the 
flask into the crucible with an extra quantity of  benzyl alcohol at 52 ± 2 ºC. Drain the crucible 
thoroughly. 
Transfer the fibres into a flask, rinse with  ethanol and after shaking manually decant through 
the filter crucible. 
Repeat this rinsing operation two or three times. Transfer the residue into the crucible and 
drain thoroughly. Dry the crucible and the residue and cool and weigh them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00, except 
for melamine, for which ‘d’=1,01. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 58   EN METHOD No 6 
TRIACETATES AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Method using dichloromethane) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. triacetate (24) or polylactide (34) with 2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), silk (4), cotton (5), (21), modal ( 22), viscose (25), acrylic 
(26), polyamide or nylon (30), polye ster (35), glass fibre (44) el astomultiester (46), elastolefin 
(47) and melamine (48). 
Note 
Triacetate fibres which have received a finish leading to pa rtial hydrolysis cease to be 
completely soluble in the reagent. In such cases, the method is not applicable. 
2. PRINCIPLE The triacetate or polylactide fibr es are dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, 
with dichloromethane. The residue is coll ected, washed, dried and weighed; its mass, 
corrected if necessary, is expr essed as a percentage of the dry mass of the mixture. The 
percentage of dry triacetate or polylactide is found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity. 
3.2. Reagent Dichloromethane. 4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the gene ral instructions and proceed as follows: 
To the specimen contained in the 200 ml gl ass-stoppered conical fl ask, add 100 ml of 
dichloromethane per gram of specimen, insert the stopper, shake the flask every 10 minutes to 
wet out the specimen and stand for 30 minutes at  room temperature, shaking the flask at 
regular intervals. Decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucible. Add 60 ml of 
dichloromethane to the flask containing the resi due, shake manually and filter the contents of 
the flask through the filter crucib le. Transfer the residual fibres to the crucible by washing out 
the flask with a little more dichloromethane. Dr ain the crucible with suction to remove excess 
liquid, refill the crucible with dichloromethane and allo w it to drain under gravity.  
EN 59   EN Finally, apply suction to eliminate excess liquid, then treat the residue with boiling water to 
eliminate all the solvent, apply suction, dry the crucible and residue , cool and weigh them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00, except 
in the case of polyester, elastomultiester, elastolefin and melamine for which the value of ‘d’ is 1,01. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 60   EN METHOD No 7 
CERTAIN CELLULOSE FIBRES AND POLYESTER 
(Method using 75 % m/m sulphuric acid) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. cotton (5), flax (7), true hemp (8), ra mie (14), cupro (21), m odal (22), viscose (25) 
with 2. polyester (35), elastomultiester (46) and elastolefin (47). 2. PRINCIPLE The cellulose fibre is dissolved out from a know n dry mass of the mixture, with 75 % m/m 
sulphuric acid. The residue is co llected, washed, dried and weighe d; its mass is expressed as a 
percentage of the dry mass of the mixture. The proportion of dry cellulose fibre is found by 
difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Glass-stoppered conical flas k of at least 500 ml capacity. 
(ii) Thermostat or other apparatus fo r maintaining the flask at 50 ± 5 ºC. 
3.2. Reagents (i) Sulphuric acid, 75 ± 2 % m/m Prepare by adding carefully, while cooling, 700 ml of sulphuric acid (relative density at 20 ºC: 
1,84) to 350 ml of distilled water. 
After the solution has cooled to room temperature, dilute to 1 litre with water. 
(ii) Ammonia, dilute solution Dilute 80 ml of ammonia solution (relative dens ity at 20 ºC: 0,88) to 1 litre with water. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE 
Follow the procedure described in the gene ral instructions and proceed as follows: 
To the specimen contained in the glass-stoppered  conical flask of at least 500 ml capacity, add 
200 ml of 75 % sulphuric acid per gram of sp ecimen, insert the stopper and carefully shake 
the flask to wet out the specimen.  
EN 61   EN Maintain the flask at 50 ± 5 ºC for one hour, shaking it at regular intervals of roughly 10 
minutes. Filter the contents of the flask through the weighed filter crucible by means of suction. Transfer any residual fibres by washing out the flask with a little 75 % sulphuric acid. 
Drain the crucible with suction and wash the residue on the filter once by filling the crucible 
with a fresh portion of sulphuric acid. Do not apply suction until the acid has drained under 
gravity. 
Wash the residue successively several times w ith cold water, twice with dilute ammonia 
solution, and then thoroughly with cold water,  draining the crucible with suction after each 
addition. Do not apply suction until each wash ing liquor has drained under gravity. Finally, 
drain the remaining liquid from the crucible with suction, dr y the crucible and residue, and 
cool and weigh them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as descri bed in the general instructions . The value of ‘d’ is 1,00. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 62   EN METHOD No 8 
ACRYLICS, CERTAIN MODACRYLICS OR CERTAIN CHLOROFIBRES AND 
CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Method using dimethylformamide) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. acrylics (26), certain modacrylics (29), or certain chlorofibres (27) 21 
with 2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), s ilk (4), cotton (5), cupro (21), modal 
(22), viscose (25), polyamide or nylon (30), polyester (35), elastomultiester 
(46), elastolefin (47)  and melamine (48). 
It is equally applicable to acr ylics, and certain modacrylics, treated with premetallised dyes, 
but not to those dyed with afterchrome dyes. 
2. PRINCIPLE The acrylic, modacrylic or chlorofibre is disso lved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, 
with dimethylformamide heated in a water-bat h at boiling point. The residue is collected, 
washed, dried and weighed. Its mass, corrected if  necessary, is expressed as a percentage of 
the dry mass of the mixture and the percentage of dry acrylic, modacry lic or chlorofibre is 
found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Glass-stoppered conical flas k of at least 200 ml capacity. 
(ii) Water bath at boiling point. 3.2. Reagent Dimethylformamide (boiling point 153 ± 1 ºC ) not containing more than 0,1 % water. 
This reagent is toxic and the us e of a hood is thus recommended. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE 
                                                
 
21 The solubility of such modacrylics or chlorofibres in the reagent shall be checked before carrying out 
the analysis. 
   
EN 63   EN Follow the procedure described in the gene ral instructions and proceed as follows: 
To the specimen contained in the glass-stoppered  conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity, add 
per gram of specimen 80 ml of dimethylformam ide, pre-heated in the water-bath at boiling 
point, insert the stopper, shake th e flask to wet out the specimen and heat in the water-bath at 
boiling point for one hour. Shake the flask and it s contents gently by hand five times during 
this period. 
Decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucib le, retaining the fibres in the flask. Add a 
further 60 ml of dimethylformamide to the flas k and heat for a further 30 minutes, shaking the 
flask and contents gently by hand twice during this period. 
Filter the contents of the flask through the filter crucible by means of suction. Transfer any residual fibre to the cruc ible by washing out the beaker with 
dimethylformamide. Drain the crucible with su ction. Wash the residue with about 1 litre of 
hot water at 70 — 80 ºC, filli ng the crucible each time. 
After each addition of water, apply suction briefly but not until the water has drained under 
gravity. If the washing liquor drains through the crucible too slowly slight suction may be 
applied. 
Finally dry the crucible with th e residue, cool and weigh them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the general instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00 except in 
the following cases: 
wool 1,01 cotton 1,01 cupro 1,01 modal 1,01 polyester 1,01 
elastomultiester 1,01 
melamine 1,01 6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 64   EN METHOD No 9 
CERTAIN CHLOROFIBRES AN D CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Method using 55,5/44,5 mixture of ca rbon disulphide and acetone) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. certain chlorofibres (27), namely cert ain polyvinyl chloride fibres, whether after-
chlorinated or not 22 
with 2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), silk (4),  cotton (5), cupro (21), modal (22), viscose (25), 
acrylic (26), polyamide or nylon (30), polyester (35), glass fibre (44), elastomultiester (46) 
and melamine (48). 
When the wool or silk content of the mixt ure exceeds 25 %, method No 2 shall be used. 
When the polyamide or nylon content of the mixture exceeds 25 %, method No 4 shall be 
used. 
2. PRINCIPLE The chlorofibre is dissolved out from a known dr y mass of the mixture, with an azeotropic 
mixture of carbon disulphide and acetone. The residue is collected, washed, dried and 
weighed; its mass, corrected if necessary, is e xpressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the 
mixture. The percentage of dry polyvinyl  chloride fibre is found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Glass-stoppered conical flas k of at least 200 ml capacity. 
(ii) Mechanical shaker. 3.2. Reagents (i) Azeotropic mixture of carbon disulphide and acetone (55,5 % by volume carbon disulphide 
to 44,5 % acetone). As this reagent is toxic, the use of a hood is recommended. 
(ii) Ethanol (92 % by volume) or methanol. 4. TEST PROCEDURE 
                                                
 
22 Before carrying out the analysis, the solubility of the polyvinyl chloride fibres in the reagent shall be 
checked. 
   
EN 65   EN Follow the procedure described in the gene ral instructions and proceed as follows: 
To the specimen contained in the glass-stoppered  conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity, add 
100 ml of the azeotropic mixture per gram of spec imen. Seal the flask securely, and shake the 
flask on a mechanical shaker, or vigorously by hand, for 20 minutes at room temperature. 
Decant the supernatant liquid thr ough the weighed filter crucible. 
Repeat the treatment with 100 ml of fresh reag ent. Continue this cycle of operations until no 
polymer deposit is left on a watch glass when a drop of the extraction liquid is evaporated. 
Transfer the residue to the filter crucible usin g more reagent, apply suction to remove the 
liquid, and rinse the crucible and residue with  20 ml of alcohol and then three times with 
water. Allow the washing liquor to drain under gr avity before draining with suction. Dry the 
crucible and residue a nd cool and weigh them. 
Note: 
With certain mixtures having a high chlorofibre content there ma y be substantial shrinkage of 
the specimen during the drying procedure, as a result of which the dissolution of chlorofibre 
by the solvent is retarded. 
This does not, however, affect the ultimate di ssolution of the chlorofibre in the solvent. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00, except 
for melamine, for which ‘d’=1,01. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials,  the confidence limits of the results obtained 
by this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 66   EN METHOD No 10 
ACETATE AND CERTAIN CHLOROFIBRES 
(Method using glacial acetic acid) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. acetate (19) with 2. certain chlorofibres (27) namely polyvinyl  chloride fibres, whet her afterchlorinated 
or not, elastolefin (47)  and melamine (48). 
2. PRINCIPLE The acetate fibre is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture,  with glacial acetic 
acid. The residue is collected, washed, dried and weighed; its mass, corrected if necessary, is 
expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the mixture. The percentage of dry acetate is 
found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Glass-stoppered conical flas k of at least 200 ml capacity. 
(ii) Mechanical shaker. 3.2. Reagent Glacial acetic acid (over 99 %). This reagent sh all be handled with care since it is highly 
caustic. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the gene ral instructions and proceed as follows: 
To the specimen contained in the glass-stoppered  conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity, add 
100 ml glacial acetic acid per gram of specime n. Seal the flask securely and shake on the 
mechanical shaker, or vigorously by hand, fo r 20 minutes at room temperature. Decant the 
supernatant liquid through the we ighed filter crucible. Repeat this treatment twice, using 100 
ml of fresh reagent each time, making three extractions in all. 
Transfer the residue to the filter crucible, drain with suction to remove the liquid and rinse the 
crucible and the residue with 50 ml of glacial acetic acid, and then three times with water. 
After each rinse, allow the liquid to drain und er gravity before applying suction. Dry the 
crucible and residue, an d cool and weigh them.  
EN 67   EN 5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS 
Calculate the results as descri bed in the general instructions . The value of ‘d’ is 1,00. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials,  the confidence limits of the results obtained 
by this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 68   EN METHOD No 11 
SILK AND WOOL OR HAIR 
(Method using 75 % m/m sulphuric acid)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. silk (4) with 2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3) , elastolefin (47) and melamine (48). 
2. PRINCIPLE The silk fibre is dissolved out from a know n dry mass of the mixture, with 75 % m/m 
sulphuric acid 
23. 
The residue is collected, washed, dried and we ighed. Its mass, corrected if necessary, is 
expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the mixture. The percentage of dry silk is found 
by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity. 
3.2. Reagents (i) Sulphuric acid (75 ± 2 % m/m) Prepare by adding carefully, while cooling, 700 ml sulphuric acid (density at 20 ºC: 1,84) to 
350 ml distilled water. 
After cooling to room temperature, dilute the solution to 1 litre with water. (ii) Sulphuric acid, dilute solution: add 100 ml sulphuric acid (density at 20 ºC: 1,84) slowly 
to 1 900 ml distilled water. 
(iii) Ammonia, dilute solution:  dilute 200 ml concentrated a mmonia (density at 20 ºC: 0,880) 
to 1 000 ml with water. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the gene ral instructions and proceed as follows: 
                                                
 
23 Wild silks, such as tussah silk, are not completely soluble in 75 % m/m sulphuric acid  
EN 69   EN To the specimen contained in a glass-stoppered conical flask of at le ast 200 ml capacity, add 
100 ml of 75 % m/m sulphuric ac id per gram of specimen and insert the stopper. Shake 
vigorously and stand for 30 minutes at room temperature. Shake again and stand for 30 
minutes. 
Shake a last time and filter the contents of the flask through th e weighed filter crucible. Wash 
any remaining fibres from the flask with the 75 % sulphuric acid reagent.  Wash the residue on 
the crucible successively with 50 ml of the dilu te sulphuric acid reagent, 50 ml water and 50 
ml of the dilute ammonia solution. Each time a llow the fibres to remain in contact with the 
liquid for about 10 minutes before applying suc tion. Finally rinse with water, leaving the 
fibres in contact with the water for about 30 minutes. 
Drain the crucible with suction, dry the cr ucible and residue, and cool and weigh them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the gene ral instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 0,985 for 
wool, 1,00 for elastolefin and 1,01 for melamine. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 70   EN METHOD No 12 
JUTE AND CERTAIN ANIMAL FIBRES 
(Method by determining nitrogen content) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. jute (9) with 2. certain animal fibres. The animal-fibre component may consist solely of hair (2 and 3) or  wool (1) or of any 
mixture of the two. This method is not applic able to textile mixtures containing non-fibrous 
matter (dyes, finishes, etc.) with a nitrogen base. 
2. PRINCIPLE The nitrogen content of the mixture is determ ined, and from this and the known or assumed 
nitrogen contents of the two components, the proportion of ea ch component is calculated. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Kjeldahl digestion fl ask, 200 — 300 ml capacity. 
(ii) Kjeldahl distil lation apparatus with steam injection. 
(iii) Titration apparatus, a llowing precision of 0,05 ml. 
3.2. Reagents (i) Toluene. (ii) Methanol. (iii) Sulphuric acid, relative  density at 20 ºC: 1,84 (
1). 
(iv) Potassium sulphate ( 1). 
(v) Selenium dioxide ( 1). 
(vi) Sodium hydroxide solution (400 g/litre). Dissolve 400 g of sodium hydroxide in 400 — 
500 ml of water and dilute to 1 litre with water. 
(vii) Mixed indicator. Dissolve 0, 1 g of methyl red in 95 ml of ethanol and 5 ml of water, and 
mix with 0,5 g of bromocresol green dissolved in 475 ml of ethanol and 25 ml of water.  
EN 71   EN (viii) Boric acid solution. Dissolve 20 g of boric acid in 1 litre of water. 
(ix) Sulphuric acid, 0,02N (s tandard volumetric solution). 
4. PRE-TREATMENT OF TEST SAMPLE The following pre-treatment is substituted for the pre-treatment described in the general 
instructions: 
Extract the air-dry sample in a Soxhlet apparatu s with a mixture of 1 vo lume of toluene and 3 
volumes of methanol for four hours at a minimum rate of 5 cycles per hour. Allow the solvent 
to evaporate from the sample in air, and remove  the last traces in an oven at 105 ± 3 ºC. Then 
extract the sample in water (50 ml per g of  sample) by boiling under reflux for 30 minutes. 
Filter, return the sample to the flask, and repe at the extraction with an identical volume of 
water. Filter, remove excess wa ter from the sample by squeezing, suction, or centrifuging and 
then allow the sample to become air-dry. 
Note: 
The toxic effects of toluene and methanol shall be borne in mind and full precautions shall be 
taken in their use. 
5. TEST PROCEDURE 5.1. General instructions Follow the procedure described in the general inst ructions as regards the selection, drying and 
weighing of the specimen. 
5.2. Detailed procedure Transfer the specimen to a Kjeldahl digestion flask. To the specimen weighing at least 1 g 
contained in the digestion flask,  add, in the following order, 2,5 g potassium sulphate, 0,1 — 
0,2 g selenium dioxide and 10 ml sulphuric acid (re lative density 1,84). Heat the flask, gently 
at first, until the whole of the fibre is destr oyed, and then heat it mo re vigorously until the 
solution becomes clear and almost colourless. H eat it for a further 15 minutes. Allow the flask 
to cool, dilute the contents carefully with 10 — 20 ml water, cool, transfer the contents 
quantitatively to a 200 ml graduated flask a nd make up to volume with water to form the 
digest solution. Place about 20 ml of boric aci d solution in a 100 ml conical flask and place 
the flask under the condenser of the Kjeldahl di stillation apparatus so that the delivery tube 
dips just below the surface of the boric acid solu tion. Transfer exactly 10 ml of digest solution 
to the distillation flask, add not less than 5 ml of sodium hydroxide solution to the funnel, lift 
the stopper slightly and allow the sodium hydroxide  solution to run slowly into the flask. If 
the digest solution and sodium hydroxide solution remain as two separate layers, mix them by 
gentle agitation. Heat the distil lation flask gently and pass it into steam from the generator. 
Collect about 20 ml of distillate, lower the conical  flask so that the tip of the delivery tube of 
the condenser is about 20 mm above the surfa ce of the liquid and distil for 1 minute more. 
Rinse the tip of the delivery t ube with water, catching the washings in the conical flask. 
Remove the conical flask and replace it with  another conical flask containing roughly 10 ml 
of boric acid solution and collect about 10 ml distillate.  
EN 72   EN Titrate the two distillates sepa rately with 0,02N sulphuric acid, use the mixed indicator. 
Record the total titre for the two distillates. If th e titre for the second distil late is more than 0,2 
ml, repeat the test and start the distillation ag ain using a fresh aliquo t of digest solution. 
Carry out a blank determination, i.e. digest ion and distillation usi ng the reagents only. 
6. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS 6.1. Calculate the percentage nitrogen c ontent in the dry specimen as follows: 
 
WNbVA) (28%−=  
where 
A = percentage nitrogen in  the clean dry specimen, 
V = total volume in ml of standard su lphuric acid used in the determination, 
b = total volume in ml of standard sulphur ic acid used in the blank determination, 
N = normality of standard sulphuric acid, W = dry mass (g) of specimen. 6.2. Using the values of 0,22 % for the nitroge n content of jute and 16,2 % for the nitrogen 
content of animal fibre, both percentages be ing expressed on the dry mass of the fibre, 
calculate the composition of the mixture as follows: 
10022,02,1622,0% ×−−=APA
 
where 
PA % = percentage of animal fibre in the clean dry specimen. 7. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 73   EN METHOD No 13 
POLYPROPYLENE FIBRES AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Xylene method) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. polypropylene fibres (37) with 2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), silk (4),  cotton (5), acetate (19) , cupro (21), modal (22), 
triacetate (24), viscose (25), ac rylic (26), polyamide or nylon ( 30), polyester (35), glass fibre 
(44), elastomultiester (46) and melamine (48). 
2. PRINCIPLE The polypropylene fibre is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture with boiling 
xylene. The residue is collected, washed, dried and weighed; its mass, corrected if necessary, 
is expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the mixture. The percentage of polypropylene 
is found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Glass-stoppered conical flas k of at least 200 ml capacity. 
(ii) Reflux condenser (suitable for liquids of hi gh boiling point), fitting the conical flask (i). 
3.2. Reagent Xylene distilling between 137 and 142 ºC. 
Note: 
This reagent is highly flammable and has a to xic vapour. Suitable precau tions must be taken 
in its use. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE 
Follow the procedure described in the general instructions then proceed as follows: 
To the specimen contained in the conical flask (3 .1 (i)), add 100 ml of xylene (3.2) per gram 
of specimen. Attach the condenser (3.1 (ii)), bring the contents to th e boil and maintain at 
boiling point for three minutes. 
Immediately decant the hot liquid through the weighe d filter crucible (see Note 1). Repeat this 
treatment twice more, each time using a fresh 50 ml portion of solvent.  
EN 74   EN Wash the residue remaining in the flask succe ssively with 30 ml of boiling xylene (twice), 
then with 75 ml of light petroleum (I.3.2.1 of general instructions) (twice). After the second 
wash with light petroleum, filter the contents of the flask through the crucible, transfer any 
residual fibres to the crucible with the aid of a small quantity of light petroleum and allow the 
solvent to evaporate. Dry the crucible  and residue, cool and weigh them. 
Notes: 
1. The filter crucible through which the xylen e is to be decanted must be pre-heated. 
2. After the treatment with boiling xylene, ensu re that the flask containing the residue is 
cooled sufficiently before the light petroleum is introduced. 
3. In order to reduce the fire and toxicity h azards to the operator, a hot extraction apparatus 
using the appropriate procedures, givi ng identical results, may be used 24 (1). 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00, except 
for melamine, for which ‘d’=1,01. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %. 
                                                
 
24 See for example the apparatus described in Melliand Textilberichte 56 (1975), pp. 643-645.  
EN 75   EN METHOD No 14 
CHLOROFIBRES (HOMOPOLYMERS OF  VINYL CHLORIDE) AND CERTAIN 
OTHER FIBRES 
(Concentrated sulphuric acid method) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. chlorofibres (27) based on homopolymers of vinyl chloride, whether after-chlorinated or 
not, elastolefin (47) 
with 2. cotton (5), acetate (19), cupro (21), modal (22) , triacetate (24), viscos e (25), certain acrylics 
(26), certain modacrylics (29), polyamide or nyl on (30), polyester (35), elastomultiester (46) 
and melamine (48). 
The modacrylics concerned are those which give a limpid solution when immersed in 
concentrated sulphuric acid (re lative density 1,84 at 20 ºC). 
This method can be used in place of method Nos 8 and 9. 2. PRINCIPLE The constituent other than the chlorofibre or the elastolefin (i.e. the fibres mentioned in 
paragraph 1.2) is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture with concentrated 
sulphuric acid (relative density 1,84 at 20 °C). 
The residue, consisting of  the chlorofibre or the elastolefin, is collected, washed, dried and 
weighed; its mass, corrected if necessary, is e xpressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the 
mixture. The percentage of the second constituents is obtained by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Glass-stoppered conical flas k of at least 200 ml capacity. 
(ii) Glass rod with flattened end. 
3.2. Reagents (i) Sulphuric acid, concentrated (relative density 1,84 at 20 ºC). 
(ii) Sulphuric acid, approximately 50 % (m/m) aqueous solution. Prepare by adding carefully, while cooling, 400 ml of sulphuric ac id (relative density 1,84 at 
20 ºC) to 500 ml of distilled or deionized water.  After cooling to room temperature, dilute the 
solution to one litre with water.  
EN 76   EN (iii) Ammonia, dilute solution. 
Dilute 60 ml of concentrated ammonia solution (relative density  0,880 at 20 ºC) to one litre 
with distilled water. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the general instructions, then proceed as follows: To the specimen contained in the flask (3.1 (i))  add 100 ml of sulphuric acid (3.2 (i)) per gram 
of specimen. 
Allow the contents of the flask to remain at room temperature for 10 minutes and during that 
time stir the test specimen occasionally by means of  the glass rod. If a woven or knitted fabric 
is being treated, wedge it between the wall of the flask and the glass rod and exert a light 
pressure in order to separate the ma terial dissolved by the sulphuric acid. 
Decant the liquid through the weighed filter cruc ible. Add to the flask a fresh portion of 100 
ml of sulphuric acid (3.2 (i)) and repeat the sa me operation.Transfer the contents of the flask 
to the filter crucible and transfer the fibrous residue there with the aid of the glass rod. If necessary, add a little con centrated sulphuric acid (3.2 (i)) to  the flask in order to remove any 
fibres adhering to the wall. Drain the filter cr ucible with suction; remove the filtrate by 
emptying or changing the filter-flask, wash the re sidue in the crucible successively with 50 % 
sulphuric acid solution (3.2 (ii)), distille d or de-ionizedwater (I.3.2.3 of the general 
instructions, ammonia solution (3.2 (iii)) and finally wash thoroughly w ith distilled or de-
ionized water, draining the crucible with suc tion after each addition.  (Do not apply suction 
during the washing operation, but only after the liquid has dr ained off by gravity.) Dry the 
crucible and residue, cool and weigh them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 1,00,except 
for melamine, for which ‘d’=1,01. 
6. PRECISION 
On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 77   EN METHOD No 15 
CHLOROFIBRES, CERT AIN MODACRYLICS, CERTAIN ELASTANES, 
ACETATES, TRIACETATES AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Method using cyclohexanone) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. acetate (19), triacetate (24) , chlorofibre (27), certain mod acrylics (29), certain elastanes 
(43)  
with 2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), silk (4),  cotton (5), cupro (21), modal (22), viscose (25), 
polyamide or nylon (30), acrylic (26), glass fibre (44) and melamine (48). 
Where modacrylics or elastanes are present a pr eliminary test must first be carried out to 
determine whether the fibre is comp letely soluble in the reagent. 
It is also possible to analys e mixtures containing chlorofibr es by using method No 9 or 14. 
2. PRINCIPLE The acetate and triacetate fibres, chlorofibres, certain modacrylics, a nd certain elastanes are 
dissolved out from a known dry mass with Cy clohexanone at a temperature close to boiling 
point. The residue is collected, wa shed, dried and weighed; its ma ss, corrected if necessary, is 
expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the mixture. The percentage of chlorofibre, 
modacrylic, elastane, acetate and triacetate is found by difference. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus (i) Hot extraction apparatus suitable for use in the test procedure in section 4. (See figure: this 
is a variant of the apparatus described in Melliand Textilberichte 56 (1975) 643 — 645). 
(ii) Filter crucible to contain the specimen. 
(iii) Porous baffle (porosity grade 1). 
(iv) Reflux condenser that can be adapted to the distillation flask. 
(v) Heating device. 3.2. Reagents (i) Cyclohexanone, boiling point 156 ºC. (ii) Ethyl alcohol, 50 % by volume.  
EN 78   EN NB: 
Cyclohexanone is flammable and toxic. Suitab le precautions must be taken in its use. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the general instructions and then proceed as follows: 
Pour into the distillation flask 100 ml of cy clohexanone per gram of material, insert the 
extraction container in which the filter cruc ible, containing the specimen and the porous 
baffle, slightly inclined, have previously been  placed. Insert the reflux condenser. Bring to the 
boil and continue extraction for 60 minutes at a minimum rate of 12 cycles per hour. 
After extraction and cooling remove the extraction container, take out the filter crucible and 
remove the porous baffle. Wash the contents of the filter crucible three or four times with 50 % ethyl alcohol heated to about  60 ºC and subsequently with  1 litre of water at 60 ºC. 
Do not apply suction during or between the washing operations. Allow the liquid to drain 
under gravity and then apply suction. 
Finally, dry the crucible with th e residue, cool and weigh them. 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the general instructions. The value of  ‘d’ is 1,00 with the 
following exceptions: 
silk and melamine 1,01 acrylic 0,98. 6. PRECISION On homogeneous mixtures of textile fibres, th e confidence limits of results obtained by this 
method are not greater than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 79   EN 
  
EN 80   EN METHOD 16 
MELAMINE AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES 
(Method using hot formic acid) 
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION 
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary mixtures of: 
1. melamine (47)  with 2. cotton (5) and aramid (31). 2. PRINCIPLE The melamine is dissolved out from a known dr y mass of the mixture with hot formic acid 
(90 % by mass). 
The residue is collected, washed, dried and we ighed; its mass, corrected if necessary, is 
expressed as a percentage of the dry mass of the mixture. The percentage of the second 
constituents is obtained by difference. 
Note:  Keep strictly the recommended temper ature range because the solubility of 
melamine is very much dependent on temperature. 
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (o ther than those specified in the general instructions) 
3.1. Apparatus 
(i) Glass-stoppered conical flas k of at least 200 ml capacity. 
(ii) Shaking water bath or other apparatus to shake and maintain the flask at 90 ± 2 
ºC. 
3.2. Reagents 
(i) Formic acid (90% m/m, relative density  at 20 ºC: 1.204 g/ml). Dilute 890 ml of 98 
to 100 % m/m formic acid (relative density  at 20 ºC: 1.220 g/ml) to 1 liter with 
water. 
Hot formic acid is very corrosive  and must be handled with care. 
(ii) Ammonia, dilute solution: dilute 80 ml of concentrated ammonia solution 
(relative density at 20 °C: 0.880) to 1 litre with water. 
4. TEST PROCEDURE Follow the procedure described in the general instructions, then proceed as follows:  
EN 81   EN To the specimen contained in the glass-stoppered  conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity, add 
100 ml of formic acid per gram of specimen. In sert the stopper and shake the flask to wet out 
the specimen. Maintain the flask in a shaking wa ter bath at 90 ± 2 ºC for one hour, shaking it 
vigorously. Cool the flask to room temperature. Decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucible. Add 50 ml of formic acid to the flask containing the residue, shake manually and 
filter the contents of the flask through the filter crucible. Transfer any residual fibres to the 
crucible by washing out the flask with a little  more formic acid reagent. Drain the crucible 
with suction and wash the residue with formic acid reagent, hot water, dilute ammonia solution, and finally cold water, draining the cr ucible with suction after each addition. Do not 
apply suction until each washing liquor has drained under gravity. Finally, drain the crucible 
with suction, dry the crucible and residue, and cool and weigh them.  
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS Calculate the results as described in the genera l instructions. The value of ‘d’ for cotton and 
aramid is 1,02. 
6. PRECISION On a homogeneous mixture of textile materials, the confidence limits of results obtained by 
this method are not greater than ± 2 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
EN 82   EN CHAPTER 3 
Quantitative analysis of ternary fibre mixtures  
INTRODUCTION  
In general, the methods of quantitative chemical  analysis are based on  the selective solution 
of the individual components. There are f our possible variants of this method:  
1. Using two different test specimens, a com ponent (a) is dissolved from the first test 
specimen, and another component (b) from the second test specimen. The insoluble residues 
of each specimen are weighed and the percenta ge of each of the two soluble components is 
calculated from the respective losses in mass. The percentage of the third component (c) is calculated by difference.  
2. Using two different test specimens, a com ponent (a) is dissolved from the first test 
specimen and two components (a and b) from th e second test specimen. The insoluble residue 
of the first test specimen is weighed and the percentage of the component (a) is calculated from the loss in mass. The insoluble residue of the second test specimen is weighed; it corresponds to component (c). The percentage of  the third component (b) is calculated by 
difference.  
3. Using two different test specimens, two com ponents (a and b) are dissolved from the first 
test specimen and two components (b and c) fr om the second test specimen. The insoluble 
residues correspond to the two co mponents (c) and (a) respectively. The pe rcentage of the 
third component (b) is calculated by difference.  
4. Using only one test specimen, after rem oval of one of the components, the insoluble 
residue formed by the two other fibres is weighed and the percentage of the soluble 
component is calculated from th e loss in mass. One of the two fibres of the residue is 
dissolved, the insoluble component is weighed and the percentage of the second soluble 
component is calculated from the loss in mass.  
Where a choice is possible, it is advisable to use one of the first three variants.  
Where chemical analysis is used, the expert re sponsible for the analysis must take care to 
select methods employing solvents which dissolv e only the correct fibre(s), leaving the other 
fibre(s) intact.  
By way of example, a table is given in Chap ter 3.VI which contains a certain number of 
ternary mixtures, together with methods for anal ysing binary mixtures wh ich can, in principle, 
be used for analysing th ese ternary mixtures.  
In order to reduce the possibili ty of error to a minimum, it is recommended that, whenever 
possible, chemical analysis usi ng at least two of the four a bovementioned variants shall be 
made.  
Before proceeding with any analys is, all the fibres present in the mixture must be identified. 
In some chemical methods, the insoluble compon ent of a mixture may be partially dissolved 
in the reagent used to dissolv e the soluble component(s). Wher ever possible, reagents have 
been chosen that have little or no effect on the insoluble fibres . If a loss in mass is known to  
EN 83   EN occur during the analysis, the result shall be corrected; correction factors are given for this 
purpose. These factors have been determined in several laboratories by treating, with the 
appropriate reagent as specified in the method of analysis, fibr es cleaned by the pre-treatment. 
These correction factors apply only to undergrade d fibres and different correction factors may 
be necessary if the fibres have been degraded  before or during proc essing. If the fourth 
variant, in which a textile fibre is subjected to  the successive action of two different solvents, 
must be used, correction factors must be a pplied for possible losses in mass undergone by the 
fibre in the two treatments. At least two dete rminations shall be ma de, both in the case of 
manual separation and in the case of chemical separation.  
I. General information on me thods for the quantitative chem ical analysis of ternary 
fibre mixtures  
Information common to the methods given for th e quantitative chemical analysis of ternary 
fibre mixtures.  
I.1. Scope and field  of application  
The field of application of each method for analysing binary fibr e mixtures specifies to which 
fibres the method is applicable. (See Chapter 2 relating to certain met hods for the quantitative 
analysis of binary fibre mixtures).  
I.2. Principle  
After the identification of the components of a mixture, th e non-fibrous material is removed 
by suitable pre-treatment and then one or more of the four varian ts of the proce ss of selective 
solution described in the intr oduction is applied. Except wh ere this presents technical 
difficulties, it is preferable to  dissolve the major fibre compone nt so as to obtain the minor 
fibre component as final residue.  
I.3. Materials and equipment 
I.3.1. Apparatus 
I.3.1.1. Filter crucibles and we ighing bottles large enough to contain such crucibles, or any 
other apparatus giving identical results. 
I.3.1.2. Vacuum flask. I.3.1.3. Desiccator containing self-indicating silica gel. 
I.3.1.4. Ventilated oven for drying specimens at 105
 ± 3 ºC. 
I.3.1.5. Analytical balance, accurate to 0,0002 g. I.3.1.6. Soxhlet extractor or other apparatus giving identical results. 
I.3.2. Reagents 
I.3.2.1. Light petroleum, redist illed, boiling range 40 to 60ºC. 
I.3.2.2. Other reagents are specified in the appropriate sections of each method.  
EN 84   EN All reagents used shall be chemically pure. 
I.3.2.3. Distilled or deionized water. I.3.2.4. Acetone. I.3.2.5. Orthophosphoric acid. I.3.2.6. Urea. I.3.2.7. Sodium bicarbonate. 
I.4. Conditioning and testing atmosphere 
Because dry masses are determined, it is unnecessa ry to condition the specimen or to conduct 
analyses in a condi tioned atmosphere. 
I.5. Laboratory test sample 
Take a laboratory test sample that is representative of the laboratory bulk sample and 
sufficient to provide all the specimens, each  of at least 1 g, that are required. 
I.6. Pre-treatment of laboratory test sample 
25 
Where a substance not to be taken into account in the percentage calcu lations (see Article 16) 
of this Regulation) is present, it shall firs t be removed by a suitable method that does not 
affect any of the fibre constituents. 
For this purpose, non-fibrous matter which can be extracted with light petroleum and water is 
removed by treating the air-dry test  sample in a Soxhlet extractor with light petroleum for one 
hour at a minimum rate of six cycles per hour. Allow the light petroleu m to evaporate from 
the sample, which is then extracted by direct tr eatment consisting in soaking the specimen in 
water at room temperature for one hour and then soaking it in water at 65 ± 5 °C for a further 
hour, agitating the liquor from ti meto time. Use a liquor:specime n ratio of 100:1. Remove the 
excess water from the sample by squeezing, suct ion or centrifuging and then allow the sample 
to become air-dry. 
In the case of elastolefin or fibre mixtures containing elastolefin a nd other fibres (wool, 
animal hair, silk, cotton, flax, true hemp, jute , abaca, alfa, coir, broom, ramie, sisal, cupro, 
modal, protein, viscose, acrylic, polyamide  or nylon, polyester, elastomultiester) the 
procedure just described shall be  slightly modified, in fact light petroleum ether shall be 
replaced by acetone. 
Where non-fibrous matter cannot be extracted w ith light petroleum and water, it shall be 
removed by substituting for the water method desc ribed above a suitable method that does not 
substantially alter any of the fibre consti tuents. However, for some unbleached, natural 
vegetable fibres (e.g. jute, coir) it is to be not ed that normal pretreatment with light petroleum 
and water does not remove all the natural non- fibrous substances; nevertheless additional pre-
                                                 
25 See Chapter 1.1  
EN 85   EN treatment is not applied unless the sample doe s contain finishes in soluble in both light 
petroleum and water. 
Analysis reports shall include full details  of the methods of pre-treatment used. 
I.7. Test procedure 
I.7.1. General instructions  I.7.1.1. Drying  
Conduct all drying operations for not less than 4 hours and not more than 16 hours at 105 ± 3 
ºC in a ventilated oven with the oven door clos ed throughout. If the drying period is less than 
14 hours, the specimen must be checkweighed to  determine whether its mass is constant. The 
mass may be considered as constant if, af ter a further drying pe riod of 60 minutes, its 
variation is less than 0,05 %.  
Avoid handling crucibles and weighing bottles, sp ecimens or residues with bare hands during 
the drying, cooling and weighing operations.  
Dry specimens in a weighing bottle with its cover beside it. After drying, stopper the 
weighing bottle before removing it from the oven, and transfer it quickly to the desiccator.  
Dry the filter crucible in a weighing bottle with  its cover beside it in the oven. After drying, 
close the weighing bottle and transfer  it quickly to the desiccator.  
Where apparatus other than a filter crucible is  used, drying operations shall be conducted in 
the oven so as to determine the dry mass of the fibres without loss.  
I.7.1.2. Cooling  
Conduct all cooling operations in the desiccator, placed beside the balance, until the cooling 
of the weighing bottles is complete, and in  any case for not less than 2 hours.  
I.7.1.3. Weighing  
After cooling, complete the weighing of the weighing bottle within 2 minutes of its removal 
from the desiccator; weigh to  an accuracy of 0,0002 g.  
I.7.2. Procedure  
Take from the pre-treated laboratory test sample a test specimen of at least 1 g (in mass). Cut 
yarn or cloth into lengths of about 10 mm, diss ected as much as possible. Dry the specimen(s) 
in (a) weighing bottle(s) cool it (them) in the desiccator and weigh it (them). Transfer the specimen(s) to the glass vessel( s) specified in the appropri ate section of the Community 
method, reweigh the weighing bottle(s) imme diately and obtain the dry mass(es) of the 
specimen(s) by difference ; complete the test as specified in the appropriate section of the applicable method. Examine the residue(s) micros copically to check that  the treatment has in 
fact completely removed the soluble fibre(s).  
I.8. Calculation and expression of results   
EN 86   EN Express the mass of each component as a percentage  of the total mass of fibre in the mixture. 
Calculate the results on  the basis of dean dry mass, adju sted by (a) the conventional agreed 
allowances and (b) the correction factors neces sary to take account of loss of non-fibrous 
matter during pre-treatment and analysis. 
I.8.1. Calculation of percentages of mass of clean dry fibres disregarding loss of fibre mass 
during pre-treatment. 
I.8.1.1. - VARIANT 1 -  
Formulae to be applied where a component of the mixture is  removed from one specimen and 
another component from a second specimen:  
100 1 %
12
22
11
2
12
1 ×⎥
⎦⎤
⎢
⎣⎡
⎟⎟
⎠⎞
⎜⎜
⎝⎛−×+×−=dd
mr
mrdddP  
100 1 %
34
11
22
4
34
2 ×⎥
⎦⎤
⎢⎣⎡
⎟⎟
⎠⎞
⎜⎜
⎝⎛−×+×−=dd
mr
mrdddP  
() % % 100%2 1 3 P P P +−=  
P1% is the percentage of the first clean dry component (component in the first specimen 
dissolved in the first reagent); 
P2% is the percentage of the second clean dry component (compone nt in the second 
specimen dissolved in the second reagent); 
P3% is the percentage of the third clean dr y component (component undissolved in both 
specimens); 
m1 is the dry mass of the first specimen after pre-treatment; 
m2 is the dry mass of the second specimen after pre-treatment; 
r1 is the dry mass of the residue after removal of the first component from the first specimen 
in the first reagent; 
r2 is the dry mass of the residue after removal of the second component from the second 
specimen in the second reagent; 
d1 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first reag ent, of the second component 
undissolved in the first specimen 26, 
d2 is the correction factor for loss in mass in  the first reagent, of  the third component 
undissolved in the first specimen; 
                                                 
26 The values of d are indicated in Chapter 2 of this Annex relating to the various methods of analysing 
binary mixtures  
EN 87   EN d3 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the second r eagent, of the first component 
undissolved in the second specimen; 
d4 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the second reagen t, of the third component 
undissolved in the second specimen. 
I.8.1.2. - VARIANT 2 -  Formulae to be applied where a component (a) is removed from the first test specimen, 
leaving as residue the other two components (b + c), and two components (a + b) are removed 
from the second test specimen, leaving as residue the third component (c):  
() % % 100%3 2 1 P P P +−=  
% 100%3
21
111
2 Pdd
mrdP ×−×=  
100 %
224
3 ×=mrdP  
P1% is the percentage of the first clean dry component (com ponent in the first specimen 
dissolved in the first reagent); 
P2% is the percentage of the second clean dry co mponent (component soluble, at the same 
time as the first component of the se cond specimen, in the second reagent); 
P3% is the percentage of the third clean dry component (component undissolved in both 
specimens); 
m1 is the dry mass of the first specimen after pre-treatment;  
m2 is the dry mass of the second specimen after pre-treatment; 
r1 is the dry mass of the residue after removal of the first component from the first specimen 
in the first reagent; 
r2 is the dry mass of the residue after remova l of the first and second components from the 
second specimen in the second reagent; 
d1 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first reag ent, of the second component 
undissolved in the first specimen; 
d2 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first re agent, of the third component 
undissolved in the first specimen; 
d4 is the correction factor for lo ss in mass in the second reag ent, of the third component 
undissolved in the second specimen. 
I.8.1.3. - VARIANT 3 -   
EN 88   EN Formulae to be applied where two components (a  + b) are removed from a specimen, leaving 
as residue the third component (c), then two components (b + c) are removed from another 
specimen, leaving as residue the first component (a):  
100 %
223
1 ×=mrdP  
() % % 100%3 1 2 P P P +−=  
100 %
112
3 ×=mrdP  
P1% is  the percentage of the first clean dry comp onent (component dissolved by the reagent); 
P2% is the percentage of the second clean dry compone nt (component dissolved by the 
reagent); 
P3% is  the percentage of the third clean dry co mponent (component dissolved in the second 
specimen by the reagent); 
m1 is the dry mass of the first specimen after pre-treatment; 
m2 is the dry mass of the second specimen after pre-treatment; 
r1 is the dry mass of the residue afte r the removal of the first a nd second components from the 
first specimen with the first reagent; 
r2 is the dry mass of the residu e after the removal of the s econd and third components from 
the second specimen with the second reagent; 
d2 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first reagent of  the third component 
undissolved in the first specimen; 
d3 is the correction fact or for loss in mass in the sec ond reagent of the first component 
undissolved in the second specimen; 
I.8.1.4. - VARIANT 4 -  Formulae to be applied where two components are successively removed from the mixture 
using the same specimen:  
() % % 100%3 2 1 P P P +−=  
% 100 %3
21 11
2 Pdd
mrdP ×−×=  
100 %23
3 ×=mrdP  
P1% is the percentage of the first clean dry component (first soluble component);  
EN 89   EN P2% is the percentage of the second clean dry component (second soluble component); 
P3% is  the percentage of the third clean dry component (insoluble component); 
m is the dry mass of the specimen after pre-treatment; r
1 is the dry mass of the residue after elimination of the first component by the first reagent; 
r2 is the dry mass of the residue after eliminat ion of the first and second component by the 
first and second reagent; 
d1 is the correction factor for loss in mass of  the second component in the first reagent; 
d2 is the correction factor for loss in mass of  the third component in the first reagent; 
d3 is the correction factor for loss  in mass of the third compone nt in the first and second 
reagents. 
1.8.2. Calculation of the percentage of each  component with adjust ment by conventional 
agreed allowances and, where appropriate, correction factors for losses in mass during pre-treatment operations:  
Given: 
10011 1baA++=10012 2b aB++=10013 3b aC++=  
then: 
100 %
3 2 11
1 ×++=CPBPAPAPPA  
100 %
3 2 12
2 ×++=CPBPAPBPPA  
100 %
3 2 13
3 ×++=CPBPAPCPPA  
P1A% is the percentage of the first clean dry component, including mois ture content and loss 
in mass during pre-treatment; 
P2A% is the percentage of the second clean dr y component, including moisture content and 
loss in mass during pre-treatment; 
P3A% is the percentage of the third clean dry com ponent, including moisture content and loss 
in mass during pre-treatment; 
P1 is the percentage of the first clean dr y component obtained by one of the formula 
given in I.8.1.  
EN 90   EN P2 is the percentage of the second clean dry component obtained by one of the formula given 
in I.8.1. 
P3 is the percentage of the th ird clean dry component obtained by one of the formula given in 
I.8.1. 
a1 is the conventional agreed allowa nce of the first component; 
a2 is the conventional agreed a llowance of the second component; 
a3 is the conventional agreed allowa nce of the third component; 
b1 is the percentage of loss in mass of the first component during pre-treatment; 
b2 is the percentage of loss in mass of the second component during pre-treatment; 
b3 is the percentage of loss in mass of th e third component dur ing pre-treatment; 
Where a special pre-treatment is used the values b 1, b2 and b 3 shall be determined, if possible, 
by submitting each of the pure fibre constituents to  the pre-treatment applied in the analysis. 
Pure fibres are those free from all non-fibrous material except those which they normally 
contain (either naturally or b ecause of the manufacturing proces s), in the state (unbleached, 
bleached) in which they are found in the material to be analysed.  
Where no clean separate constituent fibres used in the manufacture of the material to be 
analysed are available, average values of b 1, b2 and b 3 as obtained from tests performed on 
clean fibres similar to those in the mi xture under examination, must be used.  
If normal pre-treatment by extract ion with light petroleum and water is applied, correction 
factors b 1, b2 and b 3 may generally be ignored, except in the case of unbleached cotton, 
unbleached flax and unbleached hemp where the lo ss due to pre-treatment is usually accepted 
as 4 % and in the case of polypropylene as 1 %.  
In the case of other fibres, losses due to pre-tr eatment are usually disregarded in calculations.  
I.8.3. Note  
Calculation examples are given in Chapter 3.V.  
II. Method of quantitative analysis by manua l separation of ternary fibre mixtures  
II.1. Scope  
This method is applicable to te xtile fibres of all types provide d they do not form an intimate 
mixture and that it is possible to separate them by hand.  
II.2. Principle  
After identification of the textile components, the non-fibrou s matter is removed by a suitable 
pre-treatment and then the fi bres are separated by hand, dr ied and weighed in order to 
calculate the proportion of each  fibre in the mixture.  
II.3. Apparatus   
EN 91   EN II.3.1. Weighing bottles or other ap paratus giving identical results.  
II.3.2. Desiccator containing self-indicating silica gel.  
II.3.3. Ventilated oven for drying specimens at 105 ± 3 ºC.  II.3.4. Analytical balance accurate to 0,0002 g.  II.3.5. Soxhlet extractor, or other apparatus giving identical results.  
II.3.6. Needle.  II.3.7. Twist tester or similar apparatus.  
II.4. Reagents  
II.4.1. Light petroleum, redistil led, boiling range 40 to 60 ºC.  
II.4.2. Distilled or deionized water.  
II.5. Conditioning and testing atmosphere  
See I.4.  
II.6. Laboratory test sample  
See I.5.  
II.7. Pre-treatment of laboratory test samples  
See I.6.  
II.8. Procedure 
II.8.1. Analysis of yarn  
Take from the pre-treated laboratory test sample  a specimen of mass not less than 1 g. For a 
very fine yarn, the analysis may be made on a minimum length of 30 m, whatever its mass.  
Cut the yarn into pieces of a suitable length and separate the fibre types by means of a needle 
and, if necessary, a twist tester. The fibre types so obtained are placed in pre-weighed 
weighing bottles and dried at 105 ± 3 ºC to consta nt mass, as described in I.7.1 and I.7.2.  
II.8.2. Analysis of cloth  
Take from the pre-treated laboratory test sa mple a specimen of mass not less than 1 g, not 
including a selvedge with edges carefully trim med to avoid fraying and running parallel with 
weft or warp yarns, or in the case of knitted fabrics in the line of the wales and courses. 
Separate the different types of fibres and co llect them in pre-wei ghed weighing bottles and 
proceed as described in II.8.1.  
II.9. Calculation and expression of results   
EN 92   EN Express the mass of each component fibre as a per centage of the total mass of the fibres in the 
mixture. Calculate the results on the basis of clean dry mass, adjusted by (a) the conventional 
agreed allowances and (b) the correction factor s necessary to take account of losses in mass 
during pre-treatment operations. 
II.9.1. Calculation of percentage masses of cl ean dry fibre, disregarding loss in fibre mass 
during pre-treatment:  
13 2 3 2 11
1
1100 100%
mm m m m mmP++=++=  
23 1 3 2 12
2
1100 100%
mm m m m mmP++=++=  
() % % 100%2 1 3 P P P +−=  
P1% is the percentage of the first clean dry component; 
P2% is the percentage of th e second clean dry component; 
P3% is the percentage of th e third clean dry component; 
m1 is the clean dry mass of the first component; 
m2 is the clean dry mass of the second component; 
m3 is the clean dry mass of the third component; 
II.9.2. For calculation of the percentage of each component with adj ustment by conventional 
agreed allowances and, where appropriate, by correction factors for losses in mass during 
pre-treatment  : see I.8.2.  
III. Method of quantitative analysis of t ernary fibre mixtures by a combination of 
manual separation and chemical separation  
Wherever possible, manual separation shall be  used, taking account of the proportions of 
components separated before proceeding to any chemical treatment of each of the separate 
components.  
IV.1. Precision of the methods 
The precision indicated in each method of analysis of binary  mixtures relates to the 
reproducibility (see Chapter 2 re lating to certain methods for the quantitative analysis of 
binary textile fibre mixtures).  
Reproducibility refers to the reliability, ie th e closeness of agreement between experimental 
values obtained by operators in different labor atories or at different  times using the same 
method and obtaining individual re sults on specimens of an identical homogeneous mixture.   
EN 93   EN Reproducibility is expressed by confidence limits of the results for a confidence level of 95 
%.  
By this is meant that the difference between tw o results in a series of analyses made in 
different laboratories would, given a normal a nd correct application of the method to an 
identical and homogeneous mixture, be exceeded only in 5 cases out of 100.  
To determine the precision of the analysis of a ternary mixture the values indicated in the 
methods for the analysis of binary mixtures which have been used to analyse the ternary 
mixture are applied in the usual way.  
Given that in the four variants of the quant itative chemical analysis of ternary mixtures, 
provision is made for two dissolutions (using two separate specimens for the first three 
variants and a single specimen for the fourth variant) and, assuming that E 1 and E 2 denote the 
precision of the two methods for analysing binary  mixtures, the precision of the results for 
each component is shown in the following table:  
Variants 
Component fibre 1 2 and 3 4. 
a E 1 E 1 E 1 
b E 2 E 1+E2 E 1+E2 
c E 1+E2 E 2 E 1+E2 
If the fourth variant is used , the degree of precision may be found to be lower than that 
calculated by the method indicated above, owing to possible action of the first reagent on the 
residue consisting of components b and c, which would be difficult to evaluate.  
IV.2. Test report  
IV.1. Indicate the variant(s) used to carry out the analys is, the methods, reagents and 
correction factors.  
IV.2. Give details of any special pre-treatments (See I.6).  
IV.3. Give the individual results  and the arithmetic mean, each to the 1st decimal place.  
IV.4. Wherever possible, state the precision of the method for each component, calculated 
according to the table in section IV.1.  
V. Examples of the calculation of percenta ges of the components of certain ternary 
mixtures using some of the var iants described in point I.8.1.  
Consider the case of a fibre mixture which ga ve the following components when qualitatively 
analysed for raw material composition: 1. carded wool; 2.nylon (polyamide); 3.unbleached cotton. 
VARIANT No. 1  
EN 94   EN Using this variant, that is using two differe nt specimens and removing one component (a = 
wool) by dissolution from the first specimen an d a second component (b = polyamide) from 
the second specimen, the following results can be obtained: 
1. Dry mass of the first specimen after pre-treatment is(m 1) = 1,6000g 
2. Dry mass of the residue after treatm ent with alkaline sodium hypochlorite 
(polyamide+cotton) (r 1) = 1,4166 g 
3. Dry mass of the second specimen after pre-treatment  (m2) = 1,8000 g 
4. Dry mass of the residue after trea tment with formic acid (wool+cotton) 
(r2) = 0,9000 g 
Treatment with alkaline sodi um hypochlorite does not entail any loss in mass of polyamide, 
while unbleached cotton losses 3%, therefore d 1 = 1,0 and d 2 = 1,03. 
Treatment with formic acid does not entail an y loss in mass for wool or unbleached cotton, 
therefore d 3 and d 4 = 1,0. 
If the values obtained by chemical analysis an d the correction factors are substituted in the 
formula under I.8.1.1., the following result is obtained: 
P1% (wool) = [1,03/1,0 – 1,03×1,4166/1,6000 + 0,9000/1,8000 × (1 – 1,03 / 1,0)] ×100 = 
10,30 
P2% (polyamide) = [1,0 / 1,0 – 1,0×0,9000 / 1, 8000 + 1,4166 / 1,6000 × ( 1– 1,0 /1,0)] ×100 = 
50,00 
P3% (cotton) = 100–(10,30 + 50,00) = 39,70 
The percentages of the various clean dry fibres in the mixture are as follows: 
wool 10,30% polyamide 50,00% cotton 39,70% These percentages must be corrected according to the formulae under I.8.2., in order to take 
account of the conventional agreed allowances and the correction fact ors for any losses in 
mass after pre-treatment. 
As indicated in Annex IX, the conventional ag reed allowances are as follows: carded wool 
17,0%, polyamide 6,25%, cotton 8,5%, also unbleached cotton shows a loss in mass of 4%, after pre-treatment with light petroleum and water. 
Therefore: P
1A% (wool) = 10,30×[1+(17,0+0,0)/100] / [ 10,30×(1+ (17,0+0,0)/100) + 50,00× (1+ 
(6,25+0,0)/100) + 39,70×(1+(8,5+4,0 /100)] × 100 = 10,97 
P2A% (polyamide) = 50,0 × (1+ (6 ,25+0,0)/100) /109,8385 ×100 = 48,37  
EN 95   EN P3A% (cotton) = 100 - (10,97 + 48,37) = 40,66 
The raw material composition of the yarn is therefore as follows: polyamide  48,4%  cotton 40,6%  wool 11,0%  
 100,0%  
VARIANT No. 4: 
Consider the case of a fibre mixture which wh en qualitatively analysed  gave the following 
components: carded wool, viscose, unbleached cotton. 
Suppose that using variant 4, that is successive ly removing two components from the mixture 
of one single specimen, the fo llowing results are obtained: 
1. Dry mass of the specimen after pre-treatment  (m1) = 1,6000 g 
2. Dry mass of the residue after treatment w ith alkaline sodium hypochlorite (viscose+cotton) 
(r1) = 1,4166 g 
3. Dry mass of the resi due after the second trea tment of the residue r 1 with zinc 
chloride/formic acid (cotton) 
(r2) = 0,6630 g 
Treatment with alkaline sodium hypochlorite does not entail any loss in mass of viscose, 
while unbleached cotton losses 3%, therefore d 1 =1,0 and d 2 = 1,03. 
As a result of treatment with formic acid-zinc chloride, the mass of cotton increases by 4%, so 
that d 3 = 1,03×0,96 = 0,9888, rounded to 0,99, (d 3 being the correction factor for the 
respective loss or increas e in mass of the third component in the first and second reagents). 
If the values obtained by chemical analysis an d the correction factors are substituted in the 
formulae given in I.8.1.4., the following result is obtained: 
P2% (viscose) = 1,0×1,4166 / 1,6000 ×100 – 1,0 / 1,03 ×40,98=48,75 % 
P3% (cotton) = 0,99×0,6630 / 1,6000 × 100= 41,02 % 
P1% (wool) = 100 - (48,75 + 41,02) = 10,23 % 
As has already been indicated for Variant 1,  these percentages must be corrected by the 
formulae indicated in point I.8.2. 
P1A% (wool) = 10,23 × [1 + (17,0+0,0 / 100)]/[10,23×(1+ (17,00+0,0)/100) 
+48,75×(1+(13+0,0 / 100) + 41,02×(1 +(8,5+4,0)/ 100)] × 100 = 10,57%  
P2A%(viscose) = 48,75× [1+(13+0,0) / 100] / 113,2041 ×100 = 48,65%  
EN 96   EN P3A% (cotton) = 100 - (10,57 + 48,65) = 40,78% 
The raw material composition of the mixture is therefore as follows: viscose 48,6% cotton 40,8% wool 10,6%  ______  100,0%  
EN 97   EN VI. Table of typical ternary mixtures which may be analysed using community methods of analysis of binary mixtures (for illustr ation 
purposes) 
Component fibres Mixt
ure No. Component 1 Compone nt 2 Component 3 Variant Number of method used a nd reagent for binary mixtures 
1. wool or hair  Viscose, cupro or 
certain types of modal  cotton  1 and/or 
4 2. (alkaline sodium hypochlorite) an d 3 (zinc chloride/formic acid)  
2. wool or hair  polyamide 6 or 6-6  cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal 1 and/or 
4  2. (alkaline sodium hypochlorite) and 4. (formic acid, 80% w/w)  
3. wool, hair or 
silk  certain chlorofibres  viscose, cupro modal 
or cotton 1 and/or 
4 2. (alkaline sodium hypochlorite) a nd 9 (carbon disu lphide/acetone 
55,5/44,5 w/w)  
4. wool or hair  polyamide 6 or 6-6  polyester, 
polypropylene, acrylic or glass fibre 1 and/or 
4  2. (alkaline sodium hypochlorite) and 4. (formic acid, 80% w/w)  
5. wool, hair or 
silk certain chlorofibres  polyester, acrylic, 
polyamide or glass fibre 1 and/or 
4 2. (alkaline sodium hypochlorite) a nd 9 (carbon disu lphide/acetone 
55,5/44,5 w/w)  
6. silk  wool or hair  polyester  2 11. (sulphuric  acid 75% w/w) and 2. (alk aline sodium hypochlorite)  
7. polyamide 6 or 
6-6  acrylic cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal  1 and/or 
4 4. (formic acid 80% w/w) and 8. (dymethylformamide)  
8.  certain 
chlorofibres  polyamide 6 or 6-6  cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal  1 and/or 
4 8. (dymethylformamide) and 4. (formic acid, 80% w/w)   
EN 98   EN Component fibres Mixt
ure No. Component 1 Compone nt 2 Component 3 Variant Number of method used a nd reagent for binary mixtures 
or 9. (carbon disulphide/acetone , 55,5/44,5% w/w) and 4. (formic 
acid, 80% w/w)  
9. acrylic polyamide 6 or 6-6  polyester 1 and/or 
4 8. (dymethylformamide) and 4. (formic acid, 80% w/w)  
10. acetate  polyamide 6 or 6-6  viscose, cotton, 
cupro or modal  4 1. (acetone) and 4. (formic acid, 80% w/w)  
11. certain 
chlorofibres  acrylic polyamide 2 and/or 
4  9. (carbon disulphide/acet one 55,5/44,5% w/w) and 8. 
(dymethylformamide)  
12. certain 
chlorofibres polyamide 6 or 6-6  acrylic  1 and/or 
4  9. (carbon disulphide/ace tone 55,5/44,5.% w/w) and 4. (formic acid, 
80% w/w)  
13. polyamide 6 or 
6-6  viscose, cupro, 
modal or cotton  polyester  4  4. (formic acid, 80% w/ w) and 7. (sulphuric acid, 75% w/w)  
14. acetate  viscose, cupro, 
modal or cotton  polyester  4  1. (acetone) a nd 7 (sulphuric acid, 75% w/w) 
 
15. acrylic  viscose, cupro, 
modal or cotton  polyester  4  8. (dymethylformamide)  and 7 (sulphuric acid, 75%w/w)  
16. acetate  wool, hair or silk  cotton, viscose, 
cupro, modal, polyamide, 4 1. (acetone) and 2. (alk aline sodium hypochlorite)   
EN 99   EN Component fibres Mixt
ure No. Component 1 Compone nt 2 Component 3 Variant Number of method used a nd reagent for binary mixtures 
polyester, acrylic  
17. triacetate  wool, hair or silk  cotton, viscose, 
cupro, modal, polyamide, polyester, acrylic  4 6. (dichloromethane) and 2. (alkaline sodium  hypochlorite)  
18. acrylic wool, hair or silk
  polyester  1 and/or 
4 8. (dymethylformamide) and 2. (alkaline sodium hypochlorite)  
19. acrylic  silk  wool or hair  4  8. (dym ethylformamide) and 11. (s ulphuric acid 75% w/w)  
20. acrylic  wool or hair silk  cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal  1 and/or 
4 8. (dymethylformamide) and 2 (alkaline sodium hypochlorite) 
 
21. wool, hair or 
silk  cotton, viscose, 
modal, cupro  polyester  4  2. (alkaline sodium hyp ochlorite) and 7. (sulphuric acid 75%)  
22. viscose, cupro 
or certain types of modal cotton  polyester  2 and/or 
4  3. (zinc chloride/formic acid) and 7 (sulphuric acid 75% w/w) 
 
23. acrylic  viscose, cupro or 
certain types of modal  cotton  4 8. (dymethylformamide) and 3 (zinc chloride/formic acid) 
 
24. Certain viscose, cupro or 
certain types of cotton  1 and/or 9. (carbon disulphide/ acetone, 55,5/44,5% w/w) and 3. (zinc 
chloride/formic acid) or 8 (dymethylformamide) and 3. (zinc  
EN 100   EN Component fibres Mixt
ure No. Component 1 Compone nt 2 Component 3 Variant Number of method used a nd reagent for binary mixtures 
chlorofibres  modal  4  chloride/formic acid)  
25. acetate  viscose, cupro or 
certain types of modal  cotton  4  1. (acetone) and 3 (zinc chloride/formic acid)  
 
26. triacetate  viscose, cupro or 
certain types of 
modal  cotton  4 6. (dichloromethane) a nd 3 (zinc chloride/formic acid)  
27. acetate  silk  wool or hair  4 1. ( acetone) and 11. (sulphuric acid 75% w/w)  
28. triacetate silk  wool or hair  4 6. (dichl oromethane) and 11. (sulphuric acid 75% w/w)  
29. acetate  acrylic cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal 4 1. (acetone) and 8. (dymethylformamide)  
30. triacetate acrylic cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal  4 6. (dichloromethane) and 8. (dymethylformamide)  
31. triacetate  polyamide 6 or 6-6  cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal  4  6. (dichloromethane) a nd 4. (formic acid 80% w/w) 
 
32. triacetate  cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal  polyester  4  6. (dichlorometha ne) and 7 (sulphuric acid 75% w/w) 
  
EN 101   EN Component fibres Mixt
ure No. Component 1 Compone nt 2 Component 3 Variant Number of method used a nd reagent for binary mixtures 
33. acetate  polyamide 6 or 6-6  polyester or acrylic   4  1. (acetone) and 4.  (formic acid 80% w/w) 
34. acetate  acrylic polyester  4 1. ( acetone) and 8. (dymethylformamide)  
35. certain 
chlorofibres cotton, viscose, 
cupro or modal  polyester  4  8. (dymethylformamide)  and 7. (sulphuric acid 75% w/w) 
or 9 (carbon disulphide /acetone, 55,5/44,5% w/ w) and 7. (sulphuric 
acid 75% w/w)  
36 cotton polyester elastolefin 2 and/or 
4 7 (sulphuric acid 75 % w/w) and 14 (concentrated sulphuric acid) 
[37 Certain 
modacrylics polyester melamine 2 and/or 
4 8 (dimethylformamide) and 14 (concentrated sulphuric acid)] 
_____________  
EN 102   EN ANNEX IX  
AGREED ALLOWANCES USED TO CA LCULATE THE MASS OF FIBRES 
CONTAINED IN A TEXTILE PRODUCT 
(Article 17(2))  
Fibre No Fibres Percentages 
1—2 Wool and animal hair:  
  combed fibres 18,25 
  carded fibres 17,00(1) 
3 Animal hair:  
  combed fibres 18,25 
  carded fibres 17,00(1) 
 Horsehair:  
  combed fibres 16,00 
  carded fibres 15,00 
4 Silk 11,00 
5 Cotton:  
  normal fibres 8,50 
  mercerized fibres 10,50 
6 Kapok 10,90 
7 Flax 12,00 
8 True hemp 12,00 
9 Jute 17,00 
10 Abaca 14,00 
11 Alfa 14,00 
12 Coir 13,00 
13 Broom 14,00 
14 Ramie (bleached fibre) 8,50  
EN 103   EN 15 Sisal 14,00 
16 Sunn 12,00 
17 Henequen 14,00 
18 Maguey 14,00 
19 Acetate 9,00 
20 Alginate 20,00 
21 Cupro 13,00 
22 Modal 13,00 
23 Protein 17,00 
24 Triacetate 7,00 
25 Viscose 13,00 
26 Acrylic 2,00 
27 Chlorofibre 2,00 
28 Fluorofibre 0,00 
29 Modacrylic 2,00 
30 Polyamide or nylon:  
  discontinuous fibre 6,25 
  filament 5,75 
31 Aramid 8,00 
32 Polyimide 3,50 
33 Lyocell 13,00 
34 Polylactide 1,50 
35 Polyester:  
  discontinuous fibre 1,50 
  filament 1,50 
36 Polyethylene 1,50 
37 Polypropylene 2,00  
EN 104   EN 38 Polycarbamide 2,00 
39 Polyurethane  
  discontinuous fibre 3,50 
  filament 3,00 
40 Vinylal 5,00 
41 Trivinyl 3,00 
42 Elastodiene 1,00 
43 Elastane 1,50 
44 Glass fibre:  
  with an average diameter of 
over 5 µm 2,00 
  with an average diameter of 
5 µm or less 3,00 
45 Metal fibre 2,00 
 Metallized fibre 2,00 
 Asbestos 2,00 
 Paper yarn 13,75 
46 Elastomultiester 1,50 
47 Elastolefin 1,50 
48 Melamine 7,00 
 (1) The agreed allowances of  17,00 % shall also be applied where it is impossi ble to ascertain whether 
the textile product containing wool and/or animal hair is combed or carded. 
 
 (1) 
 
_____________  
EN 105   EN ANNEX X  
CORRELATION TABLES 
Directive 96/74/EC This Regulation 
Article 1 Article 4(1) 
Article 2(1) Article 3(1)(a) 
Article 2(2) introductory wording Article 3(1) introductory wording 
Article 2(2) first indent Article 3(1)(b)(i) 
Article 2(2) second inde nt Article 3(1)(b)(ii) 
Article 2(3) introductory wording Article 2(1) introductory wording 
Article 2(3) first indent Article 2(1)(a) 
Article 2(3) second indent  Article 2(1)(b) and (c) 
Article 2(3) third indent Article 2(1)(d) 
Article 3 Article 5 
Article 4 Article 7 
Article 5(1) Article 8(1) and Annex III 
Article 5(2) Article 8(2) 
Article 5(3) Article 8(3) 
Article 6(1)  Article 9(1)  
Article 6(2) Article 9(2) 
Article 6(3) Article 9(3) 
Article 6(4) Article 18 
Article 6(5) Article 9(4) 
Article 7 Article 10 
Article 8(1) Article 11(1) 
Article 8(2)(a) Article 12(1) 
Article 8(2)(b) Article 12(2) and (3) 
Article 8(2)(c) Article 12(4)  
EN 106   EN Article 8(2)(d) - 
Article 9(1) Article 13(1) 
Article 9(2) Article 13(2) 
Article 9(3) Article 14 and Annex IV 
Article 10(1)(a) Article 15(2) 
Article 10(1)(b) Article 15(3) 
Article 10(1)(c) Article 15(4) 
Article 10(2) Article 15(1)second subparagraph 
Article 11 Article 11(2) third subparagraph 
Article 12 Article 16 and Annex VII 
Article 13 Article 17(2) 
Article 14(1) - 
Article 14(2) Article 4(2) 
Article 15 Article 2(2) 
Article 16 Articles 19 and 20 
Article 17 - 
Article 18 - 
Article 19  - 
Annex I No 1 to 46 Annex I No 1 to 47 
Annex II No 1 to 46 Annex IX No 1 to 47 
Annex III Annex V 
Annex III point 36 Article 3(1)(h) 
Annex IV Annex VI 
Annex V - 
Annex VI - 
_____________ 
Directive 96/73/EC This Regulation  
EN 107   EN Article 1 Article 1  
Article 2 Annex VIII chapter 1 section I (2) 
Article 3 Article 17 (2) first subparagraph 
Article 4 Article 17 (3) 
Article 5 (1) Article 20 (1) 
Article 5 (2) Article 19 
Article 6 Article 20 (2) 
Article 7 - 
Article 8 - 
Article 9 - 
Annex I  Annex VIII chapter 1 section I 
Annex II (1) introduction Anne x VIII chapter 1 section II 
Annex II (1) sections I, II and III A nnex VIII chapter 2 sections I, II and III 
Annex II (2) Annex VIII chapter 2 section IV 
_____________ 
Directive 73/44/EEC This Regulation 
Article 1 Article 1 
Article 2 Annex VIII chapter 1 section I 
Article 3 Article 17 (2) first subparagraph 
Article 4 Article 17 (3) 
Article 5 Articles 19 and 20 
Article 6 - 
Article 7 - 
Annex I  Annex VIII chapter 3 introduction and 
sections I to IV 
Annex II  Annex VIII chapter 3 section V 
Annex III  Annex VIII chapter 3 section VI  
EN 108   EN