I 
(Legislative acts)  
REGULATIONS  
REGULATION (EU) No 1007/2011 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL  
of 27 September 2011  
on textile fibre names and related labelling and marking of the fibre composition of textile products 
and repealing Council Directive 73/44/EEC and Directives 96/73/EC and 2008/121/EC of the 
European Parliament and of the Council  
(Text with EEA relevance)  
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE 
EUROPEAN UNION,  
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European 
Union, and in particular Article 114 thereof,  
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,  
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and 
Social Committee (  1 ), 
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (  2 ), 
Whereas:  
(1) Council Directive 73/44/EEC of 26 February 1973 on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating 
to the quantitative analysis of ternary fibre mixtures (  3 ), 
Directive 96/73/EC of the European Parliament and of 
the Council of 16 December 1996 on certain methods 
for the quantitative analysis of binary textile fibre 
mixtures (  4 ) and Directive 2008/121/EC of the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 14 January 
2009 on textile names (  5 ) have been amended several times. Since further amendments are to be made, those 
acts should be replaced by a single legal instrument, in 
the interest of clarity.  
(2) The legal acts of the Union on textile fibre names and 
related labelling and marking of fibre composition of 
textile products are very technical in their content, with 
detailed provisions that need to be adapted regularly. In 
order to avoid the need for Member States to transpose 
the technical amendments into national legislation and 
thus reduce the administrative burden for national 
authorities and in order to allow for a faster adoption 
of new textile fibre names to be used simultaneously 
throughout the Union, a regulation seems to be the 
most appropriate legal instrument to carry out the legis ­
lative simplification.  
(3) In order to eliminate potential obstacles to the proper 
functioning of the internal market caused by Member 
States' diverging provisions with regard to textile fibre 
names and related labelling and marking of fibre 
composition of textile products, it is necessary to 
harmonise the names of textile fibres and the indications 
appearing on labels, markings and documents which 
accompany textile products at the various stages of 
their production, processing and distribution.  
(4) The labelling and marking requirements laid down in this 
Regulation should not apply in cases where textile 
products are contracted out to persons working in 
their own homes or to independent firms that carry 
out work from materials supplied to them without the 
property therein being transferred for consideration or 
where customised textile products are made up by self- 
employed tailors. However, those exemptions should be 
limited to the transactions between those persons 
working in their own homes or independent firms and 
the persons contracting out work to them, and between 
self-employed tailors and consumers.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/1  
( 1 ) OJ C 255, 22.9.2010, p. 37.  
( 2 ) Position of the European Parliament of 18 May 2010 (OJ C 161 E, 
31.5.2011, p. 179) and position of the Council at first reading of 
6 December 2010 (OJ C 50 E, 17.2.2011, p. 1). Position of the 
European Parliament of 11 May 2011 (not yet published in the 
Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 19 July 2011.  
( 3 ) OJ L 83, 30.3.1973, p. 1.  
( 4 ) OJ L 32, 3.2.1997, p. 1.  
( 5 ) OJ L 19, 23.1.2009, p. 29.(5) This Regulation lays down harmonised provisions with 
regard to certain aspects of textile labelling and marking, 
in particular textile fibre names. Other labelling and 
marking may exist, provided that it does not cover the 
same scope as this Regulation and that it is compatible 
with the Treaties.  
(6) It is appropriate to lay down rules enabling manu ­
facturers to ask for the inclusion of a new textile fibre 
name in the Annexes to this Regulation.  
(7) Provision should also be made in respect of certain 
products which are not made exclusively of textile 
materials but have a textile content which constitutes 
an essential part of the product or to which attention 
is specifically drawn by the economic operator.  
(8) It is appropriate to lay down rules concerning the 
labelling or marking of certain textile products which 
contain non-textile parts of animal origin. This Regu ­
lation should, in particular, set out the requirement to 
indicate the presence of non-textile parts of animal origin 
on the labelling or marking of textile products containing 
such parts, in order to enable consumers to make 
informed choices. The labelling or marking should not 
be misleading.  
(9) The tolerance in respect of ‘extraneous fibres’, which are 
not to be stated on the labels and markings, should apply 
both to pure products and to mixtures.  
(10) Labelling or marking of the fibre composition should be 
compulsory to ensure that correct and uniform 
information is made available to all consumers in the 
Union. However, this Regulation should not prevent 
economic operators from indicating, in addition, the 
presence of small quantities of fibres requiring particular 
attention to keep the original quality of the textile 
product. Where it is technically difficult to specify the 
fibre composition of a textile product at the time of its 
manufacture, it should be possible to state, on the label 
or marking, only those fibres which are known at the 
time of manufacture provided that they account for a 
certain percentage of the finished product.  
(11) In order to avoid differences in practice among the 
Member States, it is necessary to lay down the exact 
methods of labelling or marking for certain textile 
products consisting of two or more components, and 
also to specify the components of textile products that 
need not be taken into account for the purposes of 
labelling, marking and analysis.  (12) Textile products subject only to the requirements of 
inclusive labelling, and those sold by the metre or in 
cut lengths, should be made available on the market in 
such a way that the consumer can fully acquaint himself 
with the information affixed to the overall packaging or 
the roll.  
(13) The use of textile fibre names or descriptions of fibre 
compositions which enjoy particular prestige among 
users and consumers should be made subject to certain 
conditions. Furthermore, in order to provide information 
to users and consumers, it is appropriate that the textile 
fibre names are related to the characteristics of the fibre.  
(14) The market surveillance in Member States of products 
covered by this Regulation is subject to Regulation (EC) 
No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements 
for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the 
marketing of products (  1 ) and Directive 2001/95/EC of 
the European Parliament and of the Council of 
3 December 2001 on general product safety (  2 ). 
(15) It is necessary to lay down methods for the sampling and 
analysis of textile products in order to exclude any possi ­
bility 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 and ternary fibre mixtures should 
be uniform, as regards both the pre-treatment of the 
sample and its quantitative analysis. In order to 
simplify this Regulation and adapt the uniform 
methods set out therein to technical progress, it is appro ­
priate that those methods be turned into harmonised 
standards. To that end, the Commission should manage 
the transition from the current system, which is based on 
the methods set out in this Regulation, to a harmonised 
standard-based system. The use of uniform methods of 
analysis of textile products composed of binary and 
ternary fibre mixtures will facilitate the free movement 
of those products, and thereby improve the functioning 
of the internal market.  
(16) In the case of binary textile fibre mixtures for which 
there is no uniform method of analysis at Union level, 
the laboratory responsible for the test should be allowed 
to determine the composition of such mixtures, indi ­
cating in the analysis report the result obtained, the 
method used and its degree of accuracy.EN L 272/2 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011  
( 1 ) OJ L 218, 13.8.2008, p. 30.  
( 2 ) OJ L 11, 15.1.2002, p. 4.(17) This Regulation should set out the agreed allowances to 
be applied to the anhydrous mass of each fibre during 
the determination by analysis of the fibre content of 
textile products, and should give two different agreed 
allowances for calculating the composition of carded or 
combed fibres containing wool and/or animal hair. Since 
it cannot always be established whether a product is 
carded or combed, and consequently inconsistent 
results can arise from the application of the tolerances 
during checks on the conformity of textile products 
carried out in the Union, the laboratories carrying out 
those checks should be authorised to apply a single 
agreed allowance in doubtful cases.  
(18) Rules should be laid down in respect of products exempt 
from the general labelling and marking requirements set 
out in this Regulation, in particular with respect to 
disposable products or products for which only 
inclusive labelling is required.  
(19) Misleading commercial practices, involving the provision 
of false information that would cause consumers to take 
a transactional decision that they would not have taken 
otherwise, are prohibited by Directive 2005/29/EC of the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 
concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial 
practices in the internal market (  1 ) and are covered by 
Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on 
cooperation between national authorities responsible for 
the enforcement of consumer protection law (  2 ). 
(20) Consumer protection requires transparent and consistent 
trade rules, including as regards indications of origin. 
When such indications are used, they should enable 
consumers to be fully aware of the origin of the 
products they purchase, so as to protect them against 
fraudulent, inaccurate or misleading claims of origin.  
(21) The European textiles sector is affected by counterfeiting, 
which poses problems in terms of consumer protection 
and information. Member States should pay particular 
attention to the implementation of horizontal Union 
legislation and measures regarding counterfeit products 
in the field of textile products, for example Council Regu ­
lation (EC) No 1383/2003 of 22 July 2003 concerning 
customs action against goods suspected of infringing 
certain intellectual property rights and the measures to 
be taken against goods found to have infringed such 
rights (  3 ). (22) It is appropriate to establish a procedure for the inclusion 
of new textile fibre names in the Annexes to this Regu ­
lation. This Regulation should thus set out requirements 
regarding applications by manufacturers or other persons 
acting on their behalf for new textile fibre names to be 
added to those Annexes.  
(23) It is necessary that manufacturers, or other persons 
acting on their behalf, who wish to add a new textile 
fibre name to the Annexes to this Regulation, include in 
the technical file to be submitted with their application 
available scientific information concerning possible 
allergic reactions or other adverse effects of the new 
textile fibre on human health, including results of tests 
conducted to that effect in compliance with relevant 
Union legislation.  
(24) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 
of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 
should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the 
adoption of technical criteria and procedural rules for the 
authorisation of higher tolerances, the amendment of 
Annexes II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX in order to adapt 
them to technical progress and the amendment of Annex 
I in order to include new textile fibre names in the list set 
out in that Annex. It is of particular importance that the 
Commission carry out appropriate consultations during 
its preparatory work, including at expert level. The 
Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated 
acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appro ­
priate transmission of relevant documents to the 
European Parliament and to the Council.  
(25) Since the objectives of this Regulation cannot be 
sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can 
therefore, by reason of its scale, be better achieved at 
Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in 
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out 
in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In 
accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set 
out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond 
what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.  
(26) In order to eliminate possible obstacles to the proper 
functioning of the internal market caused by divergent 
provisions or practices of Member States, and in order to 
keep pace with the development of electronic commerce 
and future challenges in the market for textile products, 
the harmonisation or standardisation of other aspects of 
textile labelling should be examined. To that end, the 
Commission is invited to submit a report to the 
European Parliament and to the Council regardingEN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/3  
( 1 ) OJ L 149, 11.6.2005, p. 22.  
( 2 ) OJ L 364, 9.12.2004, p. 1.  
( 3 ) OJ L 196, 2.8.2003, p. 7.possible new labelling requirements to be introduced at 
Union level with a view to facilitating the free movement 
of textile products in the internal market and to 
achieving a high level of consumer protection 
throughout the Union. That report should examine in 
particular consumer views relating to the amount of 
information that should be supplied on the label of 
textile products, and investigate which means other 
than labelling may be used to provide additional 
information to consumers. The report should be based 
on an extended consultation of relevant stakeholders, 
including consumers, and should take into account 
existing related European and international standards. 
The report should examine, in particular: the scope and 
features of possible harmonised rules on the indication of 
origin, taking into account the results of developments 
on potential horizontal country-of-origin rules; the added 
value to the consumer of possible labelling requirements 
relating to care instructions, size, hazardous substances, 
flammability and environmental performance of the 
textile products; the use of language-independent 
symbols or codes for identifying the textile fibres 
contained in a textile product, enabling the consumer 
to understand easily the composition and, in particular, 
the use of natural or synthetic fibres; social labelling and 
electronic labelling; as well as the inclusion of an identi ­
fication number on the label to obtain additional on- 
demand information, especially via the Internet, about 
the product and the manufacturer. The report should 
be accompanied, where appropriate, by legislative 
proposals.  
(27) The Commission should carry out a study to evaluate 
whether there is a causal link between allergic reactions 
and chemical substances or mixtures used in textile 
products. On the basis of that study, the Commission 
should, where appropriate, submit legislative proposals 
in the context of existing Union legislation.  
(28) Directives 73/44/EEC, 96/73/EC and 2008/121/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 
fibre names and related labelling and marking of fibre 
composition of textile products, rules concerning the labelling 
or marking of textile products containing non-textile parts of animal origin and rules concerning the determination of the 
fibre composition of textile products by quantitative analysis 
of binary and ternary textile fibre mixtures, with a view to 
improving the functioning of the internal market and to 
providing accurate information to consumers.  
Article 2  
Scope  
1. This Regulation shall apply to textile products when made 
available on the Union market and to the products referred to 
in paragraph 2.  
2. For the purposes of this Regulation, the following 
products shall be treated in the same way as textile products:  
(a) products containing at least 80 % by weight of textile fibres;  
(b) furniture, umbrella and sunshade coverings containing at 
least 80 % by weight of textile components;  
(c) the textile components of:  
(i) the upper layer of multi-layer floor coverings;  
(ii) mattress coverings;  
(iii) coverings of camping goods;  
provided such textile components constitute at least 80 % 
by weight of such upper layers or coverings;  
(d) textiles incorporated in other products and forming an 
integral part thereof, where their composition is specified.  
3. This Regulation shall not apply to textile products which 
are contracted out to persons working in their own homes or 
to independent firms that carry out work from materials 
supplied without the property therein being transferred for 
consideration.  
4. This Regulation shall not apply to customised textile 
products made up by self-employed tailors.EN L 272/4 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011Article 3  
Definitions  
1. For the purposes of this Regulation, the following defi ­
nitions shall apply:  
(a) ‘textile product’ means any raw, semi-worked, worked, semi- 
manufactured, manufactured, semi-made-up or made-up 
product which is exclusively composed of textile fibres, 
regardless of the mixing or assembly process employed;  
(b) ‘textile fibre’ means either of the following:  
(i) a unit of matter characterised by its flexibility, fineness 
and high ratio of length to maximum transverse 
dimension, which render it suitable for textile appli ­
cations;  
(ii) a flexible strip or tube, of which 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 listed in Table 
2 of Annex I and suitable for textile applications;  
(c) ‘apparent width’ means 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 part of a textile product with 
an identifiable fibre content;  
(e) ‘extraneous fibres’ means fibres other than those stated on 
the label or marking;  
(f) ‘lining’ means a separate component used in making up 
garments and other products, consisting of a single layer 
or multiple layers of textile material held in place along one 
or more of the edges;  
(g) ‘labelling’ means affixing the required information to the 
textile product by way of attaching a label;  
(h) ‘marking’ means indicating the required information directly 
on the textile product by way of sewing, embroidering, 
printing, embossing or any other technology of application;  
(i) ‘inclusive labelling’ means the use of a single label for 
several textile products or components;  (j) ‘disposable product’ means a textile product designed to be 
used only once or for a limited time, and the normal use of 
which is not intended for subsequent use for the same or a 
similar purpose;  
(k) ‘agreed allowance’ means the value of moisture regain to be 
used in the calculation of the percentage of fibre 
components on a clean, dry mass basis, with adjustment 
by conventional factors.  
2. For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions of 
‘making available on the market’, ‘placing on the market’, 
‘manufacturer’, ‘importer’, ‘distributor’, ‘economic operators’, 
‘harmonised standard’, ‘market surveillance’ and ‘market 
surveillance authority’ set out in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) 
No 765/2008 shall apply.  
Article 4  
General requirement on the making available on the 
market of textile products  
Textile products shall only be made available on the market 
provided that such products are labelled, marked or accom ­
panied with commercial documents in compliance with this 
Regulation.  
CHAPTER 2  
TEXTILE FIBRE NAMES AND RELATED LABELLING AND 
MARKING REQUIREMENTS  
Article 5  
Textile fibre names  
1. Only the textile fibre names listed in Annex I shall be used 
for the description of fibre compositions on labels and 
markings of textile products.  
2. Use of the names listed in Annex I shall be reserved for 
textile fibres the nature of which corresponds to the description 
set out in that Annex.  
The names listed in Annex I shall not be used for other fibres, 
whether on their own or as a root or as an adjective.  
The term ‘silk’ shall not be used to indicate the shape or 
particular presentation in continuous filament yarn of textile 
fibres.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/5Article 6  
Applications for new textile fibre names  
Any manufacturer or any person acting on a manufacturer's 
behalf may apply to the Commission to add a new textile 
fibre name to the list set out in Annex I.  
The application shall include a technical file compiled in 
accordance with Annex II.  
Article 7  
Pure textile products  
1. Only textile products exclusively composed of the same 
fibre may be labelled or marked as ‘100 %’, ‘pure’ or ‘all’.  
Those or similar terms shall not be used for other textile 
products.  
2. Without prejudice to Article 8(3), a textile product 
containing no more than 2 % by weight of extraneous fibres 
may also be treated as exclusively composed of the same fibre, 
provided this quantity is justified as being technically 
unavoidable in good manufacturing practice and is not added 
as a matter of routine.  
A textile product which has undergone a carding process may 
also be treated as exclusively composed of the same fibre if it 
contains no more than 5 % by weight of extraneous fibres, 
provided this quantity is justified as being technically 
unavoidable in good manufacturing practice and is not added 
as a matter of routine.  
Article 8  
Fleece wool or virgin wool products  
1. A textile product may be labelled or marked by one of the 
names set out in Annex III provided it is composed exclusively 
of a wool fibre which has not previously been incorporated in a 
finished product, which has not been subjected to any spinning 
and/or felting processes other than those required in the manu ­
facture of that product, and which has not been damaged by 
treatment or use.  
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the names listed 
in Annex III may be used to describe wool contained in a textile 
fibre mixture if all the following conditions are met:  
(a) all the wool contained in that mixture 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, the wool is mixed with 
only one other fibre.  
The full percentage composition of such mixture shall be given.  
3. The extraneous fibres in the products referred to in 
paragraphs 1 and 2, including wool products which have 
undergone a carding process, shall not exceed 0,3 % by 
weight, shall be justified as being technically unavoidable in 
good manufacturing practice and shall not be added as a 
matter of routine.  
Article 9  
Multi-fibre textile products  
1. A textile product shall be labelled or marked with the 
name and percentage by weight of all constituent fibres in 
descending order.  
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, and without 
prejudice to Article 7(2), a fibre which accounts for up to 
5 % of the total weight of the textile product, or fibres which 
collectively account for up to 15 % of the total weight of the 
textile product, may, where they cannot easily be stated at the 
time of the manufacture, be designated by the term ‘other 
fibres’, immediately preceded or followed by their total 
percentage by weight.  
3. Products having a pure cotton warp and a pure flax 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 accompanied by the 
composition specification ‘pure cotton warp — pure flax (or 
linen) weft’.  
4. Without prejudice to Article 5(1), for textile products the 
composition of which is hard to state at the time of their 
manufacture, the term ‘mixed fibres’ or the term ‘unspecified 
textile composition’ may be used on the label or marking.EN L 272/6 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.20115. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, 
fibres not yet listed in Annex I may be designated by the term 
‘other fibres’, immediately preceded or followed by their total 
percentage by weight.  
Article 10  
Decorative fibres and fibres with antistatic effect  
1. Visible, isolable fibres which are purely decorative and do 
not exceed 7 % of the weight of the finished product do not 
have to be taken into account in the fibre compositions 
provided for in Articles 7 and 9.  
2. Metallic fibres and other fibres which are incorporated in 
order to obtain an antistatic effect and which do not exceed 2 % 
of the weight of the finished product do not have to be taken 
into account in the fibre compositions provided for in Articles 
7 and 9.  
3. In the case of the products referred to in Article 9(4), the 
percentages provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article 
shall be calculated on the weight of the warp and that of the 
weft separately.  
Article 11  
Multi-component textile products  
1. Any textile product containing two or more textile 
components which have different textile fibre contents shall 
bear a label or marking stating the textile fibre content of 
each component.  
2. The labelling or marking referred to in paragraph 1 shall 
not be compulsory for textile components when the following 
two conditions are fulfilled:  
(a) those components are not main linings; and  
(b) those components represent less than 30 % of the total 
weight of the textile product.  
3. Where two or more textile products have the same fibre 
content and normally form a single unit, they may bear only 
one label or marking.  
Article 12  
Textile products containing non-textile parts of animal 
origin  
1. The presence of non-textile parts of animal origin in 
textile products shall be indicated by using the phrase ‘Contains non-textile parts of animal origin’ on the labelling 
or marking of products containing such parts whenever they 
are made available on the market.  
2. The labelling or marking shall not be misleading and shall 
be carried out in such a way that the consumer can easily 
understand.  
Article 13  
Labelling and marking of textile products listed in 
Annex IV  
The fibre composition of textile products listed in Annex IV 
shall be indicated in accordance with the labelling and marking 
provisions set out in that Annex.  
Article 14  
Labels and markings  
1. Textile products shall be labelled or marked to give an 
indication of their fibre composition whenever they are made 
available on the market.  
The labelling and marking of textile products shall be durable, 
easily legible, visible and accessible and, in the case of a label, 
securely attached.  
2. Without prejudice to paragraph 1, labels or markings may 
be replaced or supplemented by accompanying commercial 
documents when the products are being supplied to economic 
operators within the supply chain, or when they are delivered in 
performance of an order placed by any contracting authority as 
defined in Article 1 of Directive 2004/18/EC of the European 
Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coor ­
dination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, 
public supply contracts and public service contracts (  1 ). 
3. The textile fibre names and descriptions of fibre 
compositions referred to in Articles 5, 7, 8 and 9 shall be 
clearly indicated in the accompanying commercial documents 
referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article.  
Abbreviations shall not be used with the exception of a mech ­
anised processing code, or where the abbreviations are defined 
in international standards, provided that they are explained in 
the same commercial document.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/7  
( 1 ) OJ L 134, 30.4.2004, p. 114.Article 15  
Obligation to supply the label or marking  
1. When placing a textile product on the market, the manu ­
facturer shall ensure the supply of the label or marking and the 
accuracy of the information contained therein. If the manu ­
facturer is not established in the Union, the importer shall 
ensure the supply of the label or marking and the accuracy 
of the information contained therein.  
2. A distributor shall be considered a manufacturer for the 
purposes of this Regulation where he places a product on the 
market under his name or trademark, attaches the label himself 
or modifies the content of the label.  
3. When making a textile product available on the market, 
the distributor shall ensure that textile products bear the appro ­
priate labelling or marking prescribed by this Regulation.  
4. The economic operators referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 
and 3 shall ensure that any information supplied when textile 
products are made available on the market cannot be confused 
with the textile fibre names and the descriptions of fibre 
compositions, as laid down by this Regulation.  
Article 16  
The use of textile fibre names and fibre composition 
descriptions  
1. When making a textile product available on the market, 
the textile fibre composition descriptions referred to in Articles 
5, 7, 8 and 9 shall be indicated in catalogues and trade 
literature, on packaging, labels and markings in a manner that 
is easily legible, visible, clear and in print which is uniform as 
regards its size, style and font. This information shall be clearly 
visible to the consumer before the purchase, including in cases 
where the purchase is made by electronic means.  
2. Trade marks or the name of the undertaking may be given 
immediately before or after textile fibre composition 
descriptions referred 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 a root or as an adjective, one of 
the textile fibre 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 the textile fibre composition 
descriptions referred to in Articles 5, 7, 8 and 9.  
Other information shall be always displayed separately.  
3. The labelling or marking shall be provided in the official 
language or languages of the Member State on the territory of 
which the textile products are made available to the consumer, 
unless the Member State concerned provides otherwise.  
In the case of bobbins, reels, skeins, balls or other small 
quantities of sewing, mending and embroidery yarns, the first 
subparagraph shall apply to the inclusive labelling referred to in 
Article 17(3). Whenever these products are individually sold, 
they may be labelled or marked in any of the official 
languages of the institutions of the Union, provided they are 
also inclusively labelled.  
Article 17  
Derogations  
1. The rules laid down in Articles 11, 14, 15 and 16 shall be 
subject to the derogations provided for in paragraphs 2, 3 and 
4 of this Article.  
2. The indication of textile fibre names or fibre composition 
on the labels and markings 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 a root or as an adjective, one of 
the names listed in Annex I or a name liable to be confused 
therewith, Articles 11, 14, 15 and 16 shall apply.  
3. Where textile products listed in Annex VI are of the same 
type and fibre composition, they may be made available on the 
market together with an inclusive labelling.  
4. The fibre composition of textile products sold by the 
metre may be shown on the length or roll made available on 
the market.  
5. The textile products referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 
shall be made available on the market in such a way that the 
fibre composition of those products is made known to each 
purchaser in the supply chain, including the consumer.EN L 272/8 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011CHAPTER 3  
MARKET SURVEILLANCE  
Article 18  
Market surveillance checks  
Market surveillance authorities shall carry out checks on the 
conformity of the fibre composition of textile products with 
the supplied information related to the fibre composition of 
those products in accordance with this Regulation.  
Article 19  
Determination of fibre composition  
1. For the purpose of determining the fibre composition of 
textile products, the checks referred to in Article 18 shall be 
carried out in accordance with the methods set out in Annex 
VIII or with the harmonised standards to be introduced in that 
Annex.  
2. In the determination of fibre compositions set out in 
Articles 7, 8 and 9, the items listed in Annex VII shall not be 
taken into account.  
3. The fibre compositions 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.  
4. The laboratories responsible for the testing of textile 
mixtures for which there is no uniform method of analysis at 
Union level shall determine the fibre composition of such 
mixtures, indicating in the analysis report the result obtained, 
the method used and its degree of accuracy.  
Article 20  
Tolerances  
1. For the purposes of establishing the fibre composition of 
textile products, the tolerances laid down in paragraphs 2, 3 
and 4 shall apply.  
2. Without prejudice to Article 8(3), the presence of 
extraneous fibres in the fibre composition to be provided in 
accordance with Article 9 does not need to be indicated if 
the percentage of those fibres does not reach the following 
values:  
(a) 2 % of the total weight of the textile product, provided this 
quantity is justified as being technically unavoidable in good 
manufacturing practice and is not added as a matter of 
routine; or  (b) 5 % of the total weight in the case of textile products which 
have undergone a carding process, provided this quantity is 
justified as being technically unavoidable in good manufac ­
turing practice and is not added as a matter of routine.  
3. A manufacturing tolerance of 3 % shall be permitted 
between the stated fibre composition to be provided in 
accordance with Article 9 and the percentages obtained from 
analysis carried out in accordance with Article 19, in relation to 
the total weight of fibres shown on the label or marking. Such 
tolerance shall also apply to the following:  
(a) fibres which may be designated by the term ‘other fibres’ in 
accordance with Article 9;  
(b) the percentage of wool referred to in point (b) of 
Article 8(2).  
For the purposes of the analysis, the tolerances shall be 
calculated separately. The total weight to be taken into 
account in calculating the tolerance 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 referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article.  
4. The cumulative application of the tolerances referred to in 
paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be permitted only if any extraneous 
fibres found by analysis, when applying 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 or marking.  
5. In the case of particular textile products for which the 
manufacturing process requires tolerances higher than those 
laid down in paragraphs 2 and 3, the Commission may 
authorise higher tolerances.  
Prior to placing the textile product on the market, the manu ­
facturer shall submit a request for authorisation by the 
Commission providing sufficient reasons for and evidence of 
the exceptional manufacturing circumstances. The authorisation 
may only be granted in exceptional cases and where adequate 
justification is provided by the manufacturer.  
If appropriate, the Commission shall adopt, by means of 
delegated acts in accordance with Article 22, technical criteria 
and procedural rules for the application of this paragraph.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/9CHAPTER 4  
FINAL PROVISIONS  
Article 21  
Delegated acts  
1. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated 
acts in accordance with Article 22 concerning the adoption of 
technical criteria and procedural rules for the application of 
Article 20(5), amendments to Annexes II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII 
and IX, in order to take account of technical progress, and 
amendments to Annex I in order to include, pursuant to 
Article 6, new textile fibre names in the list set out in that 
Annex.  
2. When adopting such delegated acts, the Commission shall 
act in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation.  
Article 22  
Exercise of the delegation  
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the 
Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.  
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in 
Article 20(5) and Article 21 shall be conferred on the 
Commission for a period of five years from 7 November 
2011. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of 
the delegation of power not later than nine months before the 
end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be 
tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the 
European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not 
later than three months before the end of each period.  
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 20(5) and 
Article 21 may be revoked at any time by the European 
Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put 
an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. 
It shall take effect the day following its publication in the  
Official Journal of the European Union  or at a later date 
specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any 
delegated acts already in force.  
4. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall 
notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the 
Council.  
5. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 20(5) and 
Article 21 shall enter into force only if no objection has been 
expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to 
the European Parliament and to the Council or if, before the 
expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council 
have both informed the Commission that they will not object. 
That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of 
the European Parliament or of the Council.  
Article 23  
Reporting  
By 8 November 2014, the Commission shall submit a report to 
the European Parliament and to the Council on the application 
of this Regulation, with an emphasis on the requests for and 
adoption of new textile fibre names and submit, where appro ­
priate, a legislative proposal.  
Article 24  
Review  
1. By 30 September 2013, the Commission shall submit a 
report to the European Parliament and to the Council regarding 
possible new labelling requirements to be introduced at Union 
level with a view to providing consumers with accurate, 
relevant, intelligible and comparable information on the char ­
acteristics of textile products.  
2. The report shall be based on a consultation of relevant 
stakeholders and shall take into account existing related 
European and international standards.  
3. The report shall be accompanied, where appropriate, by 
legislative proposals, and shall examine, inter alia, the following 
issues:  
(a) an origin labelling scheme aimed at providing consumers 
with accurate information on the country of origin and 
additional information ensuring full traceability of textile 
products, taking into account the results of developments 
on potential horizontal country-of-origin rules;  
(b) a harmonised care labelling system;  
(c) a Union-wide uniform size labelling system for relevant 
textile products;  
(d) an indication of allergenic substances;  
(e) electronic labelling and other new technologies, and the use 
of language-independent symbols or codes for the identifi ­
cation of fibres.EN L 272/10 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011Article 25  
Study on hazardous substances  
By 30 September 2013, the Commission shall carry out a study 
to evaluate whether there is a causal link between allergic 
reactions and chemical substances or mixtures used in textile 
products. On the basis of that study, the Commission shall, 
where appropriate, submit legislative proposals in the context 
of existing Union legislation.  
Article 26  
Transitional provision  
Textile products which comply with Directive 2008/121/EC and 
which are placed on the market before 8 May 2012 may 
continue to be made available on the market until 
9 November 2014.  Article 27  
Repeal  
Directives 73/44/EEC, 96/73/EC and 2008/121/EC are hereby 
repealed with effect from 8 May 2012.  
References to the repealed Directives shall be construed as 
references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance 
with the correlation tables in Annex X.  
Article 28  
Entry into force  
This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following 
its publication in the  Official Journal of the European Union . 
It shall apply from 8 May 2012.  
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.  
Done at Strasbourg, 27 September 2011.  
For the European Parliament 
The President  
J. BUZEK  For the Council 
The President  
M. DOWGIELEWICZEN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/11ANNEX I  
List of textile fibre names  
(referred to in Article 5)  
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 number 2  
2 alpaca, llama, camel, 
cashmere, mohair, angora, 
vicuna, yak, guanaco, 
cashgora, beaver, otter, 
followed or not by the word 
‘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 number 1 or 2  
4 Silk  fibre obtained exclusively 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 (or linen)  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 obtained from the following 
species shall be treated in the same way as jute:  Hibiscus cannabinus , Hibiscus 
sabdariffa , Abutilon avicennae , Urena lobata , Urena sinuata  
10 abaca (Manila hemp)  fibre obtained from the sheathing leaf of  Musa textilis  
11 Alfa  fibre obtained from the leaves of  Stipa tenacissima  
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  
Number  Name  Fibre description  
19 acetate  cellulose acetate fibre wherein less than 92 % but at least 74 % of the 
hydroxyl groups are acetylated  
20 alginate  fibre obtained from metallic salts of alginic acidEN L 272/12 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011Number  Name  Fibre description  
21 cupro  regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by the cuprammonium process  
22 modal  a regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by a modified viscose process having a 
high 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: 
B C (cN) ≥ 1,3 ﬃﬃﬃ 
T p 
þ 2 T  
B M (cN) ≥ 0,5 ﬃﬃﬃ 
T p 
where T is the mean linear density in decitex  
23 protein  fibre obtained from natural protein substances regenerated and stabilised 
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 chain of the acrylonitrilic pattern  
27 chlorofibre  fibre formed of linear macromolecules having in their chain more than 50 % 
by mass 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 
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 linear macromolecules having in the chain at least 85 % (by 
mass) of lactic acid ester units derived from naturally occurring 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 chain 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 aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon linear macromolecule 
where one carbon atom in two carries a methyl side chain in an isotactic 
disposition and without further substitution  
38 polycarbamide  fibre formed of linear macromolecules having in the chain the recurring 
ureylene (NH-CO-NH) functional group  
39 polyurethane  fibre formed of linear macromolecules composed of chains with the recurring 
urethane functional groupEN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/13Number  Name  Fibre description  
40 vinylal  fibre formed of linear macromolecules whose chain is constituted by 
poly(vinyl alcohol) with differing levels of acetalisation  
41 trivinyl  fibre formed of acrylonitrile 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 composed of natural or synthetic polyisoprene, or composed of 
one or more dienes polymerised with or without one or more vinyl 
monomers, and which, when stretched to three times its original length and 
released, 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 length and released, 
recovers rapidly and substantially to its initial length  
44 glass fibre  fibre made of glass  
45 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 the 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  
46 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  
47 melamine  fibre formed of at least 85 % by mass of cross-linked macromolecules made 
up of melamine derivatives  
48 name corresponding to the 
material of which the fibres 
are composed, e.g. metal 
(metallic, metallised), 
asbestos, paper, followed or 
not by the word ‘yarn’ or 
‘fibre’  fibres obtained from miscellaneous or new materials not listed aboveEN L 272/14 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011ANNEX II  
Minimum requirements regarding a technical file to be included in the application for a new textile fibre name  
(referred to in Article 6)  
A technical file to be attached to an application for the inclusion of a new textile fibre name in the list set out in Annex I,  
as provided for in Article 6, shall contain at least the following information:  
(1) Proposed name of the textile fibre:  
The name proposed shall be related to the chemical composition and shall provide information about the char ­
acteristics of the fibre, if appropriate. The name proposed shall be free of any intellectual property rights and shall not 
be linked to the manufacturer.  
(2) Proposed definition of the textile fibre:  
The characteristics mentioned in the definition of the new textile fibre, such as elasticity, shall be verifiable via testing 
methods to be provided with the technical file along with the experimental results of analyses.  
(3) Identification of the textile fibre: chemical formula, differences from existing textile fibres, together with, where 
relevant, detailed data such as melting point, density, refractive index, burning behaviour and FTIR spectrum.  
(4) Proposed agreed allowance to be used in the calculation of fibre composition.  
(5) Sufficiently developed identification and quantification methods, including experimental data:  
The applicant shall evaluate the possibility to use the methods listed in Annex VIII or the harmonised standards to be 
introduced in that Annex to analyse the most expected commercial mixtures of the new textile fibre with other textile 
fibres and shall propose at least one of those methods. For those methods or harmonised standards where the textile 
fibre can be considered as an insoluble component, the applicant shall evaluate the mass correction factors of the new 
textile fibre. All the experimental 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 experimental data for the methods proposed. Data on the accuracy, robustness 
and repeatability of the methods shall be provided with the file.  
(6) Available scientific information concerning possible allergic reactions or other adverse effects of the new textile fibre 
on human health, including results of tests conducted to that effect in compliance with relevant Union legislation.  
(7) Additional information to support the application: production process, consumer relevance.  
The manufacturer or any person acting on the manufacturer’s behalf shall provide representative samples of the new pure 
textile fibre and the relevant textile fibre mixtures necessary to conduct the validation of the proposed identification and 
quantification methods. The Commission may request additional samples of relevant fibre mixtures from the manu ­
facturer or the person acting on the manufacturer’s behalf.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/15ANNEX 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 Greek: ‘ παρθένο  μαλλί ’ 
— in English: ‘fleece wool’ or ‘virgin wool’  
— in French: ‘laine vierge’ or ‘laine de tonte’  
— in Irish: ‘olann lomra’  
— in Italian: ‘lana vergine’ 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 we łna’ 
— in Portuguese: ‘lã virgem’  
— in Romanian: ‘lân ă virgin ă’ 
— in Slovak: ‘strižná vlna’  
— in Slovene: ‘runska volna’  
— in Finnish: ‘uusi villa’  
— in Swedish: ‘ny ull’EN L 272/16 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011ANNEX IV  
Special provisions for the labelling and marking of certain textile products  
(referred to in Article 13)  
Products  Labelling and marking provisions  
1. The following corsetry products:  The fibre composition shall be indicated on the label and marking by stating 
the composition of the whole product or, either inclusively or separately, that 
of the components listed respectively:  
(a) Brassières  the outside and the inside fabric of the surface of the cups and back  
(b) Corsets and girdles  the front, the rear and side panels  
(c) Corselets  the outside and inside fabric of the surface of 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 labelling and marking of the various parts of corsetry products 
shall be carried out in such a way that the consumer can easily understand to 
which part of the product the information on the label or marking refers  
4. Etch-printed textiles  The fibre composition 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 composition 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 or marking is compulsory only for the embroidered parts which 
amount to at least 10 % of the surface area of the product  
6. Yarns consisting of a core and a 
cover made up of different fibres 
and made available on the market 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 textiles 
resembling velvet or plush  The fibre composition shall be given for the whole product and, where the 
product 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 fibre composition may be stated for the use-surface alone. The use-surface 
must be mentioned by nameEN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/17ANNEX V  
Textile products for which labelling or marking is not mandatory  
(referred to in Article 17(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. Old made-up textile products, where explicitly stated to be such  
14. Gaiters  
15. Packaging, not new and sold as such  
16. Fancy goods and saddlery, of textile materials  
17. Travel goods of textile materials  
18. 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  
19. Slide fasteners  
20. Buttons and buckles covered with textile materials  
21. Book covers of textile materials  
22. Toys  
23. Textile parts of footwear  
24. Table mats having several components and a surface area of not more than 500 cm  2 
25. Oven gloves and cloths  
26. Egg cosy covers  
27. Make-up casesEN L 272/18 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.201128. Tobacco pouches of textile fabric  
29. Spectacle, cigarette and cigar, lighter and comb cases of textile fabric  
30. Covers for mobile telephones and portable media players with a surface of not more than 160 cm  2 
31. Protective requisites for sports with the exception of gloves  
32. Toilet cases  
33. Shoe-cleaning cases  
34. Funeral products  
35. Disposable products, with the exception of wadding  
36. Textile products subject 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 textile products in general  
37. 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, installations (e.g. for heating, air conditioning or lighting), domestic and other 
appliances, vehicles and other means of transport, or for their operation, maintenance or equipment, other than 
tarpaulin covers and textile motor vehicle accessories sold separately from the vehicle  
38. Textile products for protection and safety purposes such as safety belts, parachutes, life-jackets, emergency chutes, 
fire-fighting devices, bulletproof waistcoats and special protective garments (e.g. protection against fire, chemical 
substances or other safety hazards)  
39. 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  
40. Sails  
41. Animal clothing  
42. Flags and bannersEN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/19ANNEX VI  
Textile products for which inclusive labelling is sufficient  
(referred to in Article 17(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; string, cordage and ropes other than those falling within item 37 of 
Annex V (*)  
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 presented for retail sale in small quantities with a net weight of 1 gram or 
less 
19. Tape for curtains and blinds and shuttersEN L 272/20 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011  
(*) For the products falling within this item and sold in cut lengths, the inclusive labelling shall be that of the reel. The c ordage and ropes 
falling within this item include those used in mountaineering and water sports.ANNEX VII  
Items not to be taken into account for the determination of fibre composition  
(referred to in Article 19(2))  
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 materials, accessories, decorations, non-elastic ribbons, elastic 
threads and bands added at specific and limited points of the product 
and, subject to the conditions specified in Article 10, visible, isolable 
fibres which are purely decorative and fibres with antistatic effect 
(ii) Fatty substances, binders, weightings, sizings and dressings, impregnating 
products, additional dyeing 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  Additional elastic yarns used in the cuff and the stiffening and reinforcement 
yarns of the toe and the heel  
(f) Tights  Additional elastic yarns used in the belt 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, stitching and assembly threads unless they replace the warp 
and/or weft of the fabric, fillings not having an insulating function and, subject 
to Article 11(2), linings 
For the purposes of this provision: 
(i) the base or underlying material 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 thicknessEN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/21ANNEX VIII  
Methods for the quantitative analysis of binary and ternary textile fibre mixtures  
(referred to in Article 19(1))  
CHAPTER 1  
I. Preparation of laboratory test samples and test specimens 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 quanti ­
tative 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 (  1 ). 
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 consignment 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 laboratory. The 
size and nature of the laboratory bulk sample shall be sufficient to adequately overcome the variability of the bulk 
source and to facilitate ease of handling in the laboratory (  2 ). 
2.3. Laboratory test sample  
That portion of the laboratory bulk sample that is subjected to pre-treatment to remove non-fibrous matter, and 
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 sample (  3 ). 
2.4. Test specimen  
The portion of material required to give an individual 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 test sample in such a way that each of them is representative of the 
laboratory test sample.  
4. SAMPLING FROM LOOSE FIBRES  
4.1. Unorientated fibres  
Obtain the laboratory test sample by selecting tufts at random from the laboratory bulk sample. Mix thoroughly the 
whole of the laboratory test sample by means of a laboratory carder (  4 ). Subject the web or mixture, including loose 
fibres and fibres adhering to the equipment used for mixing, to pre-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-treatment, 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, rovings)  
From randomly selected parts of the laboratory bulk sample cut not less than 10 cross-sections 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 obtain the test specimen by cutting through them so as to take a portion of each of 
the 10 lengths.EN L 272/22 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011  
( 1 ) In some cases it is necessary to pre-treat the individual test specimen.  
( 2 ) For made-up and finished articles see point 7.  
( 3 ) See point 1.  
( 4 ) The laboratory carder may be replaced by a fibre blender, or the fibres may be mixed by the method of ‘tufts and rejects’.5. SAMPLING YARN  
5.1. Yarn in packages or in banks  
Sample all the packages in the bulk laboratory sample.  
Withdraw the appropriate continuous equal lengths from each package either by winding skeins of the same number 
of turns on a wrap-reel (  1 ), 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 from each package in the skein or tow.  
Subject the laboratory test sample 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, the length of yarn to be withdrawn from each package is 10  6 /nt cm.  
If nt is high, i.e. more than 2 000, wind a heavier 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 laboratory test sample by cutting a length from the end of the warp, not less than 20 cm long and 
comprising all the yarns in the warp except the selvedge yarns, which are rejected. Tie the bunch of threads together 
near one end. If the sample is too large for pre-treatment as a whole divide it into 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 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 10  5 /Nt cm.  
6. SAMPLING FABRIC  
6.1. From a laboratory bulk sample consisting of a single cutting representative of the cloth  
Cut a diagonal strip from one corner to the other 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 cm  2 , where G is the mass of the cloth in 
g/m  2 . 
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 
that each specimen contains an equal length of each layer.  
If the fabric has a woven design, make the width of the laboratory test sample, measured parallel to the warp 
direction, not less than one warp repeat of the design. If, with this condition satisfied, the laboratory test sample is 
too large to be treated as a whole, cut it into equal parts, pre-treat them separately, and superimpose these parts 
before selection of the test specimen, taking care that corresponding parts 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 complete made-up or finished product or representative fraction of one.  
Where appropriate determine the percentage of the various parts of the product not having the same fibre content, 
in order to check compliance with Article 11.  
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 several 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 various parts in 
relation to the whole product in question.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/23  
( 1 ) If the packages can be mounted in a convenient creel a number can be wound simultaneously.Then calculate the percentages taking into account the relative proportions of the sampled parts.  
Subject the laboratory test samples to the pre-treatment.  
Then select test specimens representative of the pre-treated laboratory test samples.  
II. Introduction to the methods for the quantitative analysis of textile fibre mixtures  
Methods for the quantitative analysis of fibre mixtures are based 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 method. It can be used for all textiles whose component fibres do not form an intimate mixture, 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 weft, or knitted fabrics capable of being 
unravelled made up of yarns of different types.  
In general, the methods of chemical quantitative analysis are based on the selective solution of the individual 
components. After the removal of a component the insoluble residue is weighed, and the proportion of the 
soluble component is calculated from the loss in mass. This first part of the Annex gives the information 
common to the analyses by this method of all fibre mixtures dealt with in the Annex, whatever their composition. 
It shall thus be used in conjunction with the succeeding individual sections of the Annex, which contain the detailed 
procedures applicable to particular 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 processing and, to a lesser extent, finished textiles may contain non-fibrous matter, such as 
fats, waxes or dressings, or water-soluble matter, either occurring naturally or added to facilitate 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 other matter added to confer special properties. Such matter, including 
dyestuffs in exceptional cases, may interfere with the action of the reagent on the soluble component and/or it may 
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 integral part of the fibre 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 mass of each fibre the agreed allowances listed in Annex IX.  
Before proceeding with any analysis, all the fibres present in the mixture shall have been identified. In some 
methods, the insoluble component of a mixture may be partially dissolved in the reagent used to dissolve 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 occur during the analysis, the result shall be corrected; correction factors for this purpose are given. These 
factors have been determined in several laboratories by treating, with the appropriate reagent as specified in the 
method of analysis, fibres cleaned by the pre treatment.  
These correction factors apply only to undegraded fibres and different correction factors may be necessary if the 
fibres have been degraded 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 impossible, it is recommended to use alternative procedures whereby the 
constituent that was the residue in the standard method is dissolved out first.EN L 272/24 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011CHAPTER 2  
METHODS FOR QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN BINARY TEXTILE FIBRE MIXTURES  
I. General information common to the methods given for the quantitative chemical analysis of textile fibre 
mixtures  
I.1. 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, the non-fibrous material is removed by suitable pre- 
treatment and then one of the components, usually by selective solution (  1 ). The insoluble residue is weighed and 
the proportion of soluble component calculated from the loss in mass. Except where this presents technical 
difficulties, it is preferable to dissolve the fibre present in the greater proportion, thus obtaining the fibre present 
in the smaller proportion as residue.  
I.3. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT  
I.3.1. Apparatus  
I.3.1.1. Filter crucibles and weighing 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 °C.  
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, redistilled, boiling range 40 to 60 °C.  
I.3.2.2. Other reagents are specified in the appropriate section of each method.  
I.3.2.3. Distilled or deionised water.  
I.3.2.4. Acetone.  
I.3.2.5. Orthophosphoric acid.  
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 unnecessary 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 (  2 ) 
Where a substance not to be taken into account in the percentage calculations (see Article 19) is present, it shall 
first 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 laboratory test sample in a Soxhlet extractor with light petroleum for 1 hour at a minimum rate of 
six cycles per hour. Allow the light petroleum to evaporate from the sample, which is then extracted by direct 
treatment consisting in soaking the laboratory test sample in water at room temperature for 1 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-laboratory 
test sample 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.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/25  
( 1 ) Method 12 is an exception. It is based on a determination of the content of a constituent substance of one of the two compone nts. 
( 2 ) See Chapter 1.1.In the case of elastolefin or fibre mixtures containing elastolefin and other fibres (wool, animal hair, silk, cotton, 
flax (or linen) 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 that 
light petroleum ether shall be replaced by acetone.  
In the case of binary fibre mixtures containing elastolefin and acetate the following procedure shall apply as pre- 
treatment. Extract the laboratory test sample for 10 minutes at 80 °C with a solution containing 25 g/l of 50 % 
orthophosphoric acid and 50 g/l of urea. Use a liquor-laboratory test sample ratio of 100:1. Wash laboratory test 
sample in water, then drain and wash it in a 0,1 % sodium bicarbonate solution, finally wash it carefully in water.  
Where non-fibrous matter cannot be extracted with light petroleum and water, it shall be removed by substi ­
tuting for the water method described above a suitable method that does not substantially alter any of the fibre 
constituents. 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; never ­
theless additional pre-treatment is not applied unless the sample contains 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. Drying  
Conduct all drying operations for not less than 4 hours and not more than 16 hours at 105 ± 3 °C in a 
ventilated oven with the oven door closed throughout. 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 constant if, after a further drying period of 60 minutes, its variation is less than 0,05 %.  
Avoid handling crucibles and weighing bottles, specimens 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 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. Cooling  
Conduct all cooling operations in the desiccator, the latter placed beside the balance, until complete cooling of 
the weighing bottles is attained, 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 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 the 
desiccator and weigh it. Transfer the specimen to the glass vessel specified in the appropriate section of the 
relevant Union method, reweigh the weighing bottle immediately and obtain the dry mass of the specimen by 
difference. Complete the test as specified in the appropriate section of the applicable method. Examine the residue 
microscopically to check that the treatment has in fact completely removed the soluble fibre.EN L 272/26 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011I.8. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
Express the mass of the insoluble component as a percentage of the total mass 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 applying the formula given in I.8.2.  
I.8.1. Calculation of percentage of insoluble component on clean, dry mass basis, disregarding loss of fibre mass during 
pre-treatment:  
P 1 % ¼ 100  rd 
m 
where  
P 1 % is the percentage of clean, dry insoluble component,  
m is the dry mass of the test specimen after pre-treatment,  
r is the dry mass of the residue,  
d is the correction factor for loss in mass of the insoluble 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 insoluble component on clean, dry mass basis, with adjustment by conventional 
factors and, where appropriate, correction factors for loss of mass during pre-treatment:  
P 1A % ¼ 100  P 1 8 
> > :1 þ ða 1 þ b 1 Þ 
100 9 
> > ; 
P 1 8 
> > :1 þ a 1 þ b 1 
100 9 
> > ; þ ð100 –  P 1 Þ 8 
> > :1 þ a 2 þ b 2 
100 9 
> > ; 
where  
P 1A % is the percentage of insoluble component adjusted by agreed allowances and for loss in mass during pre- 
treatment,  
P 1 is the percentage of clean dry insoluble component as calculated from the formula shown in I.8.1,  
a 1 is the agreed allowance for the insoluble component (see Annex IX),  
a 2 is the agreed allowance for the soluble component (see Annex IX),  
b 1 is the percentage loss of insoluble component caused by pre-treatment,  
b 2 is the percentage loss of soluble component caused by pre-treatment.  
The percentage of the second component is P  2A % = 100 – P  1A %. 
Where a special pre-treatment has been used, the values of b  1 and b  2 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 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 b1 and b2 as obtained from tests performed on clean fibres similar to those in the mixture 
under examination, shall be used.  
If normal pre-treatment by extraction with light petroleum and water is applied, correction factors b1 and b2 
may generally be ignored, except in the case of unbleached cotton, unbleached flax (or linen) 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.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/27II. Method of quantitative analysis by manual separation  
II.1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable to textile fibres of all types provided 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 separated by hand, dried and 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 °C.  
II.3.4. Analytical balance, accurate to 0,0002 g.  
II.3.5. Soxhlet extractor, or other apparatus giving an identical result.  
II.3.6. Needle.  
II.3.7. Twist tester or similar apparatus.  
II.4. REAGENTS  
II.4.1. Light petroleum, redistilled, boiling range 40 to 60 °C.  
II.4.2. Distilled or deionised water.  
II.4.3. Acetone.  
II.4.4. Orthophosphoric acid.  
II.4.5. Urea.  
II.4.6. Sodium bicarbonate.  
All reagents used shall be chemically pure.  
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 °C 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 fraying and running parallel with weft or warp yarns, or in the case of 
knitted 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.EN L 272/28 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011II.9. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
Express the mass of each fibre constituent as a percentage 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 
necessary to take account of loss of matter during pre-treatment.  
II.9.1. Calculation of percentage masses of clean, dry fibre, disregarding loss of fibre mass during pre-treatment:  
P 1 % ¼ 100  m 1 
m 1 þ m 2 ¼ 100 
1 þ m 2 
m 1 
P 1 % is the percentage of the first clean, dry component,  
m 1 is the clean, dry mass of the first component,  
m 2 is the clean, dry mass of the second component.  
II.9.2. For calculation of the percentage of each component with adjustment by agreed allowances and, where appro ­
priate, by correction 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 laboratories or at different 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 
normal and correct application of the method to an identical and consistent mixture, exceed the confidence limit 
only in five cases out of 100.  
III.2. TEST REPORT  
III.2.1. State that the analysis was conducted 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  
Method  Field of application  
Reagent/Description  
Soluble component  Insoluble component  
1. Acetate  Certain other fibres  Acetone  
2. Certain protein fibres  Certain other fibres  Hypochlorite  
3. Viscose, cupro or certain types 
of modal  Certain other fibres  Formic acid and zinc chloride  
4. Polyamide or nylon  Certain other fibres  Formic acid, 80 % m/m  
5. Acetate  Certain other fibres  Benzyl alcohol  
6. Triacetate or polylactide  Certain other fibres  Dichloromethane  
7. Certain cellulose fibres  Certain other fibres  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 other fibres  Glacial acetic acidEN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/29Method  Field of application  
Reagent/Description  
Soluble component  Insoluble component  
11. Silk  Certain other fibres  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  
15. Chlorofibres, certain 
modacrylics, certain elastanes, 
acetates, triacetates  Certain other fibres  Cyclohexanone  
16. Melamine  Cotton or aramid  Hot formic acid, 90 % m/m  
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 fibre mixtures of:  
1. acetate (19)  
with  
2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), silk (4), cotton (5), flax (or linen) (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 nylon (30), polyester (35) elastomultiester (45), elastolefin (46) and melamine (47).  
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 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 (additional 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 general instructions and proceed as follows:  
To the test specimen contained in a glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity, add 100 ml of acetone 
per gram of test specimen, shake the flask, stand it for 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 1 hour. Transfer the residue to the filter crucible. Wash the residue in the filter 
crucible with acetone and drain with suction. Refill the crucible with acetone and allow to drain under gravity.  
Finally, drain the crucible with suction, dry the crucible and residue, and cool and weigh them.EN L 272/30 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.20115. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
Calculate the results as described in the general 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 %.  
METHOD No 2  
CERTAIN PROTEIN FIBRES AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES  
(Method using hypochlorite)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. certain protein fibres, namely: wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), silk (4), protein (23)  
with  
2. cotton (5), cupro (21), modal (22), viscose (25), acrylic (26), chlorofibres (27), polyamide or nylon (30), polyester 
(35), polypropylene (37), elastane (43), glass fibre (44), elastomultiester (45), elastolefin (46) and melamine (47).  
If different protein fibres are present, the method gives the total of their amounts but not their individual quantities.  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The protein fibre is dissolved out from a known 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 hypochlorite 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 lengthy intervals. This is because the percentage of hypochlorite in solid lithium hypochlorite — unlike that in 
sodium hypochlorite — is virtually constant. If the percentage of hypochlorite is known, hypochlorite content need 
not be checked iodometrically for each analysis, since a constant weighed portion of lithium hypochlorite can be 
employed.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Erlenmeyer flask with ground-glass stopper, 250 ml.  
(b) Thermostat, adjustable to 20 ± 2 °C.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Hypochlorite reagent  
(i) Lithium hypochlorite solution  
This consists of a freshly prepared solution 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 distilled water. The solution which has been 
freshly prepared need not be checked iodometrically.  
(ii) Sodium hypochlorite solution  
This consists of a freshly prepared solution 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 solution iodometrically before each analysis.  
(b) Acetic acid, dilute solution  
Dilute 5 ml of glacial acetic acid to 1 litre with water.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/314. TEST PROCEDURE  
Follow the procedure described in the general instructions and proceed as follows: mix approximately 1 gram of the 
test specimen with approximately 100 ml of the hypochlorite solution (lithium or sodium hypochlorite) in the 
250 ml flask and agitate thoroughly in order to wet out the test specimen.  
Then heat the flask for 40 minutes in a thermostat at 20 °C and agitate continuously, or at least at regular intervals. 
Since the dissolution of the wool proceeds exothermically, the reaction heat of this method must be distributed and 
removed. Otherwise, considerable errors may be caused by the incipient dissolution of the non-soluble fibres.  
After 40 minutes, filter the flask contents through a weighed glass-filter crucible and transfer any residual fibres into 
the filter crucible by rinsing the flask with a little hypochlorite reagent. Drain the crucible with suction and wash the 
residue successively with water, dilute acetic acid, and finally water, draining the crucible 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 with the residue, and 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 for cotton, viscose, 
modal and melamine for 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 %.  
METHOD No 3  
VISCOSE, CUPRO OR CERTAIN TYPES OF MODAL AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES  
(Method using formic acid and zinc chloride)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. viscose (25) or cupro (21), including certain types of modal fibre (22)  
with  
2. cotton (5), elastolefin (46) and melamine (47).  
If a modal fibre is found to be present, a preliminary test 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 chloride. 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 (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flasks of at least 200 ml capacity.  
(b) Apparatus for maintaining flasks at 40 ± 2 °C.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) 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).EN L 272/32 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011Note:  
Attention is drawn, in this respect, to point I.3.2.2, which lays down that all reagents used shall be chemically 
pure; in addition, it is essential to use only fused anhydrous zinc chloride.  
(b) Ammonium hydroxide solution: dilute 20 ml of a 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 and proceed as follows: place the specimen immediately 
in the flask, pre-heated to 40 °C. Add 100 ml of the solution of formic acid and zinc chloride, pre-heated to 40 °C 
per gram of specimen. Insert the stopper and shake the flask vigorously. Keep the flask and its contents at a constant 
temperature of 40 °C for 2,5 hours, shaking the flask at hourly intervals.  
Filter the contents of the flask through the weighed filter crucible and with the help of the reagent transfer to the 
crucible any fibres remaining in the flask. Rinse with 20 ml of reagent pre-heated to 40 °C.  
Wash crucible and residue thoroughly with water at 40 °C. Rinse the fibrous residue in approximately 100 ml of 
cold ammonia solution (3.2(b)) 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 washing liquor has drained under gravity.  
Finally, drain the remaining liquid 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 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 %.  
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 fibre mixtures of:  
1. polyamide or nylon (30)  
with  
2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), cotton (5), cupro (21), modal (22), viscose (25), acrylic (26), chlorofibre (27), 
polyester (35), polypropylene (37), glass fibre (44), elastomultiester (45), elastolefin (46) and melamine (47).  
As mentioned above, this method is also applicable to mixtures with wool, but when the wool content exceeds 
25 %, method No 2 shall be applied (dissolving wool in a solution of alkaline sodium hypochlorite or lithium 
hypochlorite).  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The polyamide or nylon fibre is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, with formic 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 polyamide or nylon is found by difference.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other than those specified in the general instructions)EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/33  
( 1 ) To ensure that the fibrous residue is immersed in the ammonia solution for 10 minutes, one may, for example, use a filter cru cible 
adaptor fitted with a tap by which the flow of the ammonia solution can be regulated.3.1. Apparatus  
Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Formic acid (80 % m/m, relative density at 20 °C: 1,186). Dilute 880 ml of 90 % m/m formic acid (relative 
density at 20 °C: 1,204) to 1 litre with water. Alternatively, dilute 780 ml of 98 to 100 % m/m formic acid 
(relative density at 20 °C: 1,220) to 1 litre with water.  
The concentration is not critical within the range 77 to 83 % m/m formic acid.  
(b) 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 and proceed 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, shake 
the flask to wet out the specimen. Stand the flask for 15 minutes at room temperature, shaking it at intervals. Filter 
the contents of the flask through the weighed filter crucible and transfer 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 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 general 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 %.  
METHOD No 5  
ACETATE AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES  
(Method using benzyl alcohol)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. acetate (19)  
with  
2. triacetate (24), elastolefin (46) and melamine (47).  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The acetate fibre is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, with benzyl alcohol at 52 ± 2 °C.  
The residue is collected, washed, dried and weighed; its mass 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 (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
(b) Mechanical shaker.  
(c) Thermostat or other apparatus for keeping the flask at a temperature of 52 ± 2 °C.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Benzyl alcohol.  
(b) Ethanol.EN L 272/34 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.20114. TEST PROCEDURE  
Follow the procedure described in the general 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 °C, and shake for 20 
minutes at this temperature.  
(Instead of using a mechanical shaker, the flask may be shaken vigorously by hand).  
Decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucible. Add a further dose of benzyl alcohol in the flask and shake as 
before at 52 ± 2 °C for 20 minutes.  
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 °C. 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 general 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 %.  
METHOD No 6  
TRIACETATES OR POLYLACTIDE AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES  
(Method using dichloromethane)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. triacetate (24) or polylactide (34)  
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 (45), elastolefin (46) and melamine (47).  
Note:  
Triacetate fibres which have received a finish leading to partial hydrolysis cease to be completely soluble in the 
reagent. In such cases, the method is not applicable.  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The triacetate or polylactide fibres are dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, with dichloromethane. 
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 triacetate or polylactide is found by difference.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other 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 general instructions and proceed as follows:EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/35To the test specimen contained in the 200 ml glass-stoppered conical flask, add 100 ml of dichloromethane per 
gram of the test specimen, insert the stopper, shake the flask to wet out the test specimen and stand for 30 minutes 
at room temperature, shaking the flask every 10 minutes. Decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucible. Add 
60 ml of dichloromethane to the flask containing the residue, shake manually and filter the contents of the flask 
through the filter crucible. Transfer the residual fibres to the crucible by washing out the flask with a little more 
dichloromethane. Drain the crucible with suction to remove excess liquid, refill the crucible with dichloromethane 
and allow it to drain under gravity.  
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 general 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 %.  
METHOD No 7  
CERTAIN CELLULOSE FIBRES AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES  
(Method using 75 % m/m sulphuric acid)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. cotton (5), flax (or linen) (7), true hemp (8), ramie (14), cupro (21), modal (22), viscose (25)  
with  
2. polyester (35), elastomultiester (45) and elastolefin (46).  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The cellulose fibre is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, with 75 % m/m sulphuric acid. The 
residue is collected, washed, dried and weighed; 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 (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 500 ml capacity.  
(b) Thermostat or other apparatus for maintaining the flask at 50 ± 5 °C.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Sulphuric acid, 75 ± 2 % m/m  
Prepare by adding carefully, while cooling, 700 ml of sulphuric acid (relative density at 20 °C: 1,84) to 350 ml of 
distilled water.  
After the solution has cooled to room temperature, dilute to 1 litre with water.  
(b) Ammonia, dilute solution  
Dilute 80 ml of 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 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 specimen, insert the stopper and carefully shake the flask to wet out the specimen.EN L 272/36 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011Maintain the flask at 50 ± 5 °C for 1 hour, shaking it at regular intervals of approximately 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 with 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 washing liquor has drained under gravity. Finally, drain the remaining liquid from 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 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 %.  
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 fibre mixtures of:  
1. acrylics (26), certain modacrylics (29), or certain chlorofibres (27) (  1 ) 
with  
2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), silk (4), cotton (5), cupro (21), modal (22), viscose (25), polyamide or nylon (30), 
polyester (35), elastomultiester (45), elastolefin (46) and melamine (47).  
It is equally applicable to acrylics, and certain modacrylics, treated with premetallised dyes, but not to those dyed 
with afterchrome dyes.  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The acrylic, modacrylic or chlorofibre is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, with dimethyl ­
formamide heated in a water-bath 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, 
modacrylic or chlorofibre is found by difference.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
(b) Water bath at boiling point.  
3.2. Reagent  
Dimethylformamide (boiling point 153 ± 1 °C) not containing more than 0,1 % water.  
This reagent is toxic and the use of a hood is thus recommended.  
4. TEST PROCEDURE  
Follow the procedure described in the general 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 dimethylformamide, pre-heated in the water-bath at boiling point, insert the stopper, shake the flask to wet 
out the specimen and heat in the water-bath at boiling point for 1 hour. Shake the flask and its contents gently by 
hand five times during this period.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/37  
( 1 ) The solubility of such modacrylics or chlorofibres in the reagent shall be checked before carrying out the analysis.Decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucible, retaining the fibres in the flask. Add a further 60 ml of 
dimethylformamide to the flask 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 crucible by washing out the beaker with dimethylformamide. Drain the crucible 
with suction. Wash the residue with about 1 litre of hot water at 70-80 °C, filling 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 the 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 case of wool, 
cotton, cupro, modal, polyester, elastomultiester 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 %.  
METHOD No 9  
CERTAIN CHLOROFIBRES AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES  
(Method using 55,5/44,5 % v/v mixture of carbon disulphide and acetone)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. certain chlorofibres (27), namely certain polyvinyl chloride fibres, whether after-chlorinated or not (  1 ) 
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 (45) and melamine (47).  
When the wool or silk content of the mixture 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 dry 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 
expressed 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 (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
(b) Mechanical shaker.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) 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.  
(b) Ethanol (92 % by volume) or methanol.  
4. TEST PROCEDURE  
Follow the procedure described in the general 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 specimen. Seal the flask securely, and shake the flask on a mechanical shaker, or 
vigorously by hand, for 20 minutes at room temperature.EN L 272/38 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011  
( 1 ) Before carrying out the analysis, the solubility of the polyv inyl chloride fibres in the reagent shall be checked.Decant the supernatant liquid through the weighed filter crucible.  
Repeat the treatment with 100 ml of fresh reagent. 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 using 
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 gravity before draining with suction. Dry the 
crucible and residue and cool and weigh them.  
Note:  
With certain mixtures having a high chlorofibre content there may 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 dissolution of the chlorofibre in the solvent.  
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
Calculate the results as described in the general 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 %.  
METHOD No 10  
ACETATE AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES  
(Method using glacial acetic acid)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. acetate (19)  
with  
2. certain chlorofibres (27) namely polyvinyl chloride fibres, whether afterchlorinated or not, elastolefin (46) and 
melamine (47).  
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 (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
(b) Mechanical shaker.  
3.2. Reagent  
Glacial acetic acid (over 99 %). This reagent shall be handled with care since it is highly caustic.  
4. TEST PROCEDURE  
Follow the procedure described in the general 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 specimen. Seal the flask securely and shake on the mechanical shaker, or vigorously by hand, for 
20 minutes at room temperature. Decant the supernatant liquid through the weighed 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 
under gravity before applying suction. Dry the crucible and residue, and cool and weigh them.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/395. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
Calculate the results as described 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 %.  
METHOD No 11  
SILK AND CERTAIN OTHER FIBRES  
(Method using 75 % m/m sulphuric acid)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. silk (4)  
with  
2. wool (1), animal hair (2 and 3), elastolefin (46) and melamine (47).  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The silk fibre is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture, with 75 % m/m sulphuric acid (  1 ). 
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 silk is found by difference.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Sulphuric acid (75 ± 2 % m/m)  
Prepare by adding carefully, while cooling, 700 ml sulphuric acid (relative density at 20 °C: 1,84) to 350 ml 
distilled water.  
After cooling to room temperature, dilute the solution to 1 litre with water.  
(b) Sulphuric acid, dilute solution: add 100 ml sulphuric acid (relative density at 20 °C: 1,84) slowly to 1 900 ml 
distilled water.  
(c) Ammonia, dilute solution: dilute 200 ml concentrated ammonia (relative density at 20 °C: 0,880) to 1 litre with 
water.  
4. TEST PROCEDURE  
Follow the procedure described in the general instructions and proceed as follows:  
To the specimen contained in a glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity, add 100 ml of 75 % m/m 
sulphuric acid 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 the 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 
dilute sulphuric acid reagent, 50 ml water and 50 ml of the dilute ammonia solution. Each time allow the fibres to 
remain in contact with the liquid for about 10 minutes before applying suction. Finally rinse with water, leaving the 
fibres in contact with the water for about 30 minutes.  
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 general instructions. The value of ‘d’ is 0,985 for wool, 1,00 for elastolefin 
and 1,01 for melamine.EN L 272/40 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011  
( 1 ) Wild silks, such as tussah silk, are not completely soluble in 75 % m/m sulphuric acid.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 %.  
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 fibre 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 applicable to textile mixtures containing non-fibrous matter (dyes, finishes, etc.) with a nitrogen base.  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The nitrogen content of the mixture is determined, and from this and the known or assumed nitrogen contents of 
the two components, the proportion of each component is calculated.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Kjeldahl digestion flask, 200-300 ml capacity.  
(b) Kjeldahl distillation apparatus with steam injection.  
(c) Titration apparatus, allowing precision of 0,05 ml.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Toluene.  
(b) Methanol.  
(c) Sulphuric acid, relative density at 20 °C: 1,84 (  1 ). 
(d) Potassium sulphate (  1 ). 
(e) Selenium dioxide (  1 ). 
(f) 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.  
(g) 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.  
(h) Boric acid solution. Dissolve 20 g of boric acid in 1 litre of water.  
(i) Sulphuric acid, 0,02N (standard 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 laboratory test sample in a Soxhlet apparatus with a mixture of 1 volume of toluene and 3 
volumes of methanol for 4 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 °C. 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 repeat the extraction with 
an identical volume of water. Filter, remove excess water 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.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/41  
( 1 ) These reagents should be nitrogen-free.5. TEST PROCEDURE  
5.1. General instructions  
Follow the procedure described in the general instructions 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 
(relative density at 20 °C: 1,84). Heat the flask, gently at first, until the whole of the fibre is destroyed, and then heat 
it more vigorously until the solution becomes clear and almost colourless. Heat 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 and make up to volume with water to form the digest solution. Place about 20 ml of boric 
acid solution in a 100 ml conical flask and place the flask under the condenser of the Kjeldahl distillation apparatus 
so that the delivery tube dips just below the surface of the boric acid solution. 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 distillation 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 surface of the liquid and distil for 1 minute more. Rinse 
the tip of the delivery tube 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.  
Titrate the two distillates separately with 0,02 N sulphuric acid, use the mixed indicator. Record the total titre for the 
two distillates. If the titre for the second distillate is more than 0,2 ml, repeat the test and start the distillation again 
using a fresh aliquot of digest solution.  
Carry out a blank determination, i.e. digestion and distillation using the reagents only.  
6. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
6.1. Calculate the percentage nitrogen content in the dry specimen as follows:  
A% ¼ 28 ðV – bÞ N 
W 
where  
A = percentage nitrogen in the clean dry specimen,  
V = total volume in ml of standard sulphuric acid used in the determination,  
b = total volume in ml of standard sulphuric 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 nitrogen content of jute and 16,2 % for the nitrogen content of animal fibre, both 
percentages being expressed on the dry mass of the fibre, calculate the composition of the mixture as follows:  
PA% ¼ A – 0 ;22 
16 ;2 – 0 ;22 Ü 100  
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 L 272/42 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011METHOD 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 fibre 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), acrylic (26), polyamide or nylon (30), polyester (35), glass fibre (44), elastomultiester (45) and melamine 
(47).  
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 (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
(b) Reflux condenser (suitable for liquids of high boiling point), fitting the conical flask (a).  
(c) Heating mantle at boiling point of xylene.  
3.2. Reagent  
Xylene distilling between 137 and 142 °C.  
Note:  
Xylene is highly flammable and has a toxic vapour. Suitable precautions 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(a)), add 100 ml of xylene (3.2) per gram of specimen. Attach the 
condenser (3.1(b)), bring the contents to the boil and maintain at boiling point for 3 minutes.  
Immediately decant the hot liquid through the weighed filter crucible (see Note 1). Repeat this treatment twice more, 
each time using a fresh 50 ml portion of solvent.  
Wash the residue remaining in the flask successively 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 xylene is to be decanted must be pre-heated.  
2. After the treatment with boiling xylene, ensure that the flask containing the residue is cooled sufficiently before 
the light petroleum is introduced.  
3. In order to reduce the fire and toxicity hazards to the operator, a hot extraction apparatus using the appropriate 
procedures, giving identical results, may be used (  1 ). 
5. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
Calculate the results as described in the general 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 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/43  
( 1 ) See for example the apparatus described in Melliand Textilberichte 56 (1975), pp. 643-645.METHOD No 14  
CERTAIN FIBRES AND CHLOROFIBRES (HOMOPOLYMERS OF VINYL CHLORIDE), ELASTOLEFIN OR 
MELAMINE  
(Concentrated sulphuric acid method)  
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable, after removal of non-fibrous matter, to binary fibre mixtures of:  
1. cotton (5), acetate (19), cupro (21), modal (22), triacetate (24), viscose (25), certain acrylics (26), certain 
modacrylics (29), polyamide or nylon (30), polyester (35) and elastomultiester (45)  
with  
2. chlorofibres (27) based on homopolymers of vinyl chloride, whether after-chlorinated or not, elastolefin (46) and 
melamine (47).  
The modacrylics concerned are those which give a limpid solution when immersed in concentrated sulphuric acid 
(relative density at 20 °C: 1,84).  
This method can be used in place of methods No 8 and No 9.  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The constituent other than the chlorofibre, the elastolefin or the melamine (i.e. the fibres mentioned in point 1.1) is 
dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture with concentrated sulphuric acid (relative density at 20 °C: 
1,84).  
The residue, consisting of the chlorofibre, the elastolefin or the melamine, 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 the 
second constituents is obtained by difference.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
(b) Glass rod with flattened end.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Sulphuric acid, concentrated (relative density at 20 °C: 1,84).  
(b) Sulphuric acid, approximately 50 % (m/m) aqueous solution.  
Prepare by adding carefully, while cooling, 400 ml of sulphuric acid (relative density at 20 °C: 1,84) to 500 ml of 
distilled or deionised water. After cooling to room temperature, dilute the solution to one litre with water.  
(c) Ammonia, dilute solution.  
Dilute 60 ml of concentrated ammonia solution (relative density at 20 °C: 0,880) to one litre with distilled water.  
4. TEST PROCEDURE  
Follow the procedure described in the general instructions, then proceed as follows:  
To the test specimen contained in the flask (3.1(a)) add 100 ml of sulphuric acid (3.2(a)) 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 material dissolved by the 
sulphuric acid.  
Decant the liquid through the weighed filter crucible. Add to the flask a fresh portion of 100 ml of sulphuric acid 
(3.2(a)) and repeat the same 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 concentrated sulphuric acid (3.2(a)) to the flask in 
order to remove any fibres adhering to the wall. Drain the filter crucible with suction; remove the filtrate by 
emptying or changing the filter-flask, wash the residue in the crucible successively with 50 % sulphuric acid 
solution (3.2(b)), distilled or deionised water (I.3.2.3 of the general instructions), ammonia solution (3.2(c)) and 
finally wash thoroughly with distilled or deionised water, draining the crucible with suction after each addition. (Do 
not apply suction during the washing operation, but only after the liquid has drained off by gravity.) Dry the crucible 
and residue, cool and weigh them.EN L 272/44 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.20115. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
Calculate the results as described in the general 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 %.  
METHOD No 15  
CHLOROFIBRES, CERTAIN 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 fibre mixtures of:  
1. acetate (19), triacetate (24), chlorofibre (27), certain modacrylics (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 (47).  
Where modacrylics or elastanes are present a preliminary test must first be carried out to determine whether the 
fibre is completely soluble in the reagent.  
It is also possible to analyse mixtures containing chlorofibres by using method No 9 or 14.  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The acetate and triacetate fibres, chlorofibres, certain modacrylics, and certain elastanes are dissolved out from a 
known dry mass with cyclohexanone at a temperature close to 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. The 
percentage of chlorofibre, modacrylic, elastane, acetate and triacetate is found by difference.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Hot extraction apparatus suitable for use in the test procedure in point 4 (see figure: this is a variant of the 
apparatus described in Melliand Textilberichte 56 (1975) pp. 643-645).  
(b) Filter crucible to contain the test specimen.  
(c) Porous baffle (porosity grade 1).  
(d) Reflux condenser that can be adapted to the distillation flask.  
(e) Heating device.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Cyclohexanone, boiling point 156 °C.  
(b) Ethyl alcohol, 50 % by volume.  
Note:  
Cyclohexanone is flammable and toxic. Suitable 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 cyclohexanone per gram of material, insert the extraction container in 
which the filter crucible, 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 °C and 
subsequently with 1 litre of water at 60 °C.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/45Do 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 the 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 case of silk and 
melamine for which ‘d’ = 1,01, and acrylic, for which ‘d’ = 0,98.  
6. PRECISION  
On homogeneous mixtures of textile fibres, the confidence limits of results obtained by this method are not greater 
than ± 1 for a confidence level of 95 %.  
Figure referred to in point 3.1(a) of method No 15
EN L 272/46 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011METHOD No 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 fibre mixtures of:  
1. melamine (47)  
with  
2. cotton (5) and aramid (31).  
2. PRINCIPLE  
The melamine is dissolved out from a known dry mass of the mixture with hot formic acid (90 % m/m).  
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 the second constituents is obtained by difference.  
Note:  
Keep strictly the recommended temperature range because the solubility of melamine is very much dependent on 
temperature.  
3. APPARATUS AND REAGENTS (other than those specified in the general instructions)  
3.1. Apparatus  
(a) Glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity.  
(b) Shaking water bath or other apparatus to shake and maintain the flask at 90 ± 2 °C.  
3.2. Reagents  
(a) Formic acid (90 % m/m, relative density at 20 °C: 1,204). Dilute 890 ml of 98 to 100 % m/m formic acid 
(relative density at 20 °C: 1,220) to 1 litre with water.  
Hot formic acid is very corrosive and must be handled with care.  
(b) 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:  
To the test specimen contained in the glass-stoppered conical flask of at least 200 ml capacity, add 100 ml of formic 
acid per gram of specimen. Insert the stopper and shake the flask to wet out the specimen. Maintain the flask in a 
shaking water bath at 90 ± 2 °C for 1 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 crucible 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 general instructions. The value of ‘d’ 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 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/47CHAPTER 3  
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF TERNARY TEXTILE FIBRE MIXTURES  
INTRODUCTION  
In general, the methods of quantitative chemical analysis are based on the selective solution of the individual components. 
There are four possible variants of this method:  
1. Using two different test specimens, a component (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 percentage 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 component (a) is dissolved from the first test specimen and two components (a 
and b) from the 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 components (a and b) are dissolved from the first test specimen and two 
components (b and c) from the second test specimen. The insoluble residues correspond to the two components (c) 
and (a) respectively. The percentage of the third component (b) is calculated by difference.  
4. Using only one test specimen, after removal 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 the 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 responsible for the analysis must take care to select methods employing 
solvents which dissolve only the correct fibre(s), leaving the other fibre(s) intact.  
By way of example, a table is given in Section V which contains a certain number of ternary fibre mixtures, together with 
methods for analysing binary fibre mixtures which can, in principle, be used for analysing these ternary fibre mixtures.  
In order to reduce the possibility of error to a minimum, it is recommended that, whenever possible, chemical analysis 
using at least two of the four abovementioned variants shall be made.  
Before proceeding with any analysis, all the fibres present in the mixture must be identified. In some chemical methods, 
the insoluble component of a mixture may be partially dissolved in the reagent used to dissolve the soluble component(s). 
Wherever possible, reagents have been chosen that have little or no effect on the insoluble fibres. If a loss in mass is 
known to 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, fibres cleaned by the pre-treatment. These correction factors apply only to undergraded fibres and different 
correction factors may be necessary if the fibres have been degraded before or during processing. 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 applied for possible losses in mass undergone by the fibre in the two treatments. At least two determinations shall be 
made, both in the case of manual separation and in the case of chemical separation.  
I. General information on methods for the quantitative chemical analysis of ternary fibre mixtures  
Information common to the methods given for the quantitative chemical analysis of ternary fibre mixtures.  
I.1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
The field of application of each method for analysing binary fibre mixtures specifies to which fibres the method is 
applicable (see Chapter 2 relating to methods for quantitative analysis of certain binary textile fibre mixtures).EN L 272/48 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011I.2. PRINCIPLE  
After the identification of the components of a mixture, the non-fibrous material is removed by suitable pre- 
treatment and then one or more of the four variants of the process of selective solution described in the 
introduction is applied. Except where this presents technical difficulties, it is preferable to dissolve the major 
fibre component 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 weighing 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 °C.  
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, redistilled, boiling range 40 to 60 °C.  
I.3.2.2. Other reagents are specified in the appropriate sections of each method.  
I.3.2.3. Distilled or deionised water.  
I.3.2.4. Acetone.  
I.3.2.5. Orthophosphoric acid.  
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 unnecessary 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 (  1 ) 
Where a substance not to be taken into account in the percentage calculations (see Article 19) is present, it shall 
first 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 laboratory test sample in a Soxhlet extractor with light petroleum for 1 hour at a minimum rate of 
six cycles per hour. Allow the light petroleum to evaporate from the laboratory test sample, which is then 
extracted by direct treatment consisting in soaking the laboratory test sample in water at room temperature for 1 
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: laboratory test sample ratio of 100:1. Remove the excess water from the laboratory test sample by 
squeezing, suction or centrifuging and then allow the laboratory test sample to become air-dry.  
In the case of elastolefin or fibre mixtures containing elastolefin and other fibres (wool, animal hair, silk, cotton, 
flax (or linen), 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.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/49  
( 1 ) See Chapter 1.1.Where non-fibrous matter cannot be extracted with light petroleum and water, it shall be removed by substi ­
tuting for the water method described above a suitable method that does not substantially alter any of the fibre 
constituents. 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; never ­
theless additional pre-treatment is not applied unless the sample contains 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. Drying  
Conduct all drying operations for not less than 4 hours and not more than 16 hours at 105 ± 3 °C in a ventilated 
oven with the oven door closed 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, after a 
further drying period of 60 minutes, its variation is less than 0,05 %.  
Avoid handling crucibles and weighing bottles, specimens 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, dissected as much as possible. Dry the specimen in a weighing bottle, cool it in the 
desiccator and weigh it. Transfer the specimen to the glass vessel specified in the appropriate section of the Union 
method, reweigh the weighing bottle immediately and obtain the dry mass of the specimen by difference; 
complete the test as specified in the appropriate section of the applicable method. Examine the residue micro ­
scopically to check that the treatment has in fact completely removed the soluble fibre(s).  
I.8. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
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, adjusted by (a) the agreed allowances and (b) the correction factors 
necessary 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.EN L 272/50 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011I.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:  
P 1 % ¼ " 
d 2 
d 1 – d 2 Ü r 1 
m 1 þ r 2 
m 2 Ü 8 
> > > : 1 – d 2 
d 1 9 
> > > ; # 
Ü 100  
P 2 % ¼ " 
d 4 
d 3 – d 4 Ü r 2 
m 2 þ r 1 
m 1 Ü 8 
> > > : 1 – d 4 
d 3 9 
> > > ; # 
Ü 100  
P 3 % = 100 – ( P 1 % +  P 2 %) 
P 1 % is the percentage of the first clean dry component (component in the first specimen dissolved in the first 
reagent),  
P 2 % is the percentage of the second clean dry component (component in the second specimen dissolved in the 
second reagent),  
P 3 % is the percentage of the third clean dry component (component undissolved in both specimens),  
m 1 is the dry mass of the first specimen after pre-treatment,  
m 2 is the dry mass of the second specimen after pre-treatment,  
r 1 is the dry mass of the residue after removal of the first component from the first specimen in the first 
reagent,  
r 2 is the dry mass of the residue after removal of the second component from the second specimen in the 
second reagent,  
d 1 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first reagent, of the second component undissolved in the 
first specimen (  1 ); 
d 2 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first reagent, of the third component undissolved in the first 
specimen,  
d 3 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the second reagent, of the first component undissolved in the 
second specimen,  
d 4 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the second reagent, 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):  
P 1 % = 100 – ( P 2 % +  P 3 %) 
P 2 % ¼ 100 Ü d 1 r 1 
m 1 – d 1 
d 2 Ü P 3 % 
P 3 % ¼ d 4 r 2 
m 2 Ü 100  
P 1 % is the percentage of the first clean dry component (component in the first specimen dissolved in the first 
reagent),  
P 2 % is the percentage of the second clean dry component (component soluble, at the same time as the first 
component of the second specimen, in the second reagent),  
P 3 % is the percentage of the third clean dry component (component undissolved in both specimens),EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/51  
( 1 ) The values of d are indicated in Chapter 2 of this Annex relating to the various methods of analysing binary mixtures.m 1 is the dry mass of the first specimen after pre-treatment,  
m 2 is the dry mass of the second specimen after pre-treatment,  
r 1 is the dry mass of the residue after removal of the first component from the first specimen in the first 
reagent,  
r 2 is the dry mass of the residue after removal of the first and second components from the second specimen 
in the second reagent,  
d 1 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first reagent, of the second component undissolved in the 
first specimen,  
d 2 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first reagent, of the third component undissolved in the first 
specimen,  
d 4 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the second reagent, of the third component undissolved in the 
second specimen.  
I.8.1.3. - VARIANT 3 -  
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):  
P 1 % ¼ d 3 r 2 
m 2 Ü 100  
P 2 % = 100 – ( P 1 % +  P 3 %) 
P 3 % ¼ d 2 r 1 
m 1 Ü 100  
P 1 % is the percentage of the first clean dry component (component dissolved by the reagent),  
P 2 % is the percentage of the second clean dry component (component dissolved by the reagent),  
P 3 % is the percentage of the third clean dry component (component dissolved in the second specimen by the 
reagent),  
m 1 is the dry mass of the first specimen after pre-treatment,  
m 2 is the dry mass of the second specimen after pre-treatment,  
r 1 is the dry mass of the residue after the removal of the first and second components from the first specimen 
with the first reagent,  
r 2 is the dry mass of the residue after the removal of the second and third components from the second 
specimen with the second reagent,  
d 2 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the first reagent of the third component undissolved in the first 
specimen,  
d 3 is the correction factor for loss in mass in the second 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:  
P 1 % = 100 – ( P 2 % +  P 3 %) 
P 2 % ¼ d 1 r 1 
m Ü 100 –  d 1 
d 2 Ü P 3 % 
P 3 % ¼ d 3 r 2 
m Ü 100  
P 1 % is the percentage of the first clean dry component (first soluble component),  
P 2 % is the percentage of the second clean dry component (second soluble component),  
P 3 % 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,EN L 272/52 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011r 2 is the dry mass of the residue after elimination of the first and second component by the first and second 
reagents,  
d 1 is the correction factor for loss in mass of the second component in the first reagent,  
d 2 is the correction factor for loss in mass of the third component in the first reagent,  
d 3 is the correction factor for loss in mass of the third component in the first and second reagents (  1 ). 
I.8.2. Calculation of the percentage of each component with adjustment by agreed allowances and, where appropriate, 
correction factors for losses in mass during pre-treatment operations:  
Given:  
A ¼ 1 þ a 1 þ b 1 
100  B ¼ 1 þ a 2 þ b 2 
100  C ¼ 1 þ a 3 þ b 3 
100  
then:  
P 1 A% ¼ P 1 A 
P 1 A þ P 2 B þ P 3 C Ü 100  
P 2 A% ¼ P 2 B 
P 1 A þ P 2 B þ P 3 C Ü 100  
P 3 A% ¼ P 3 C 
P 1 A þ P 2 B þ P 3 C Ü 100  
P 1 A% is the percentage of the first clean dry component, including moisture content and loss in mass during 
pre-treatment,  
P 2 A% is the percentage of the second clean dry component, including moisture content and loss in mass during 
pre-treatment,  
P 3 A% is the percentage of the third clean dry component, including moisture content and loss in mass during 
pre-treatment,  
P 1 is the percentage of the first clean dry component obtained by one of the formulae given in I.8.1,  
P 2 is the percentage of the second clean dry component obtained by one of the formulae given in I.8.1,  
P 3 is the percentage of the third clean dry component obtained by one of the formulae given in I.8.1,  
a 1 is the agreed allowance of the first component,  
a 2 is the agreed allowance of the second component,  
a 3 is the agreed allowance of the third component,  
b 1 is the percentage of loss in mass of the first component during pre-treatment,  
b 2 is the percentage of loss in mass of the second component during pre-treatment,  
b 3 is the percentage of loss in mass of the third component during pre-treatment.  
Where a special pre-treatment is used the values b  1 , b 2 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 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 , b 2 and b  3 as obtained from tests performed on clean fibres similar to those in the mixture 
under examination, must be used.  
If normal pre-treatment by extraction with light petroleum and water is applied, correction factors b  1 , b 2 and b  3 
may generally be ignored, except in the case of unbleached cotton, unbleached flax (or linen) and unbleached 
hemp where the loss due to pre-treatment is usually accepted as 4 % and in the case of polypropylene as 1 %.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/53  
( 1 ) Wherever possible d  3 should be determined in advance by experimental methods.In the case of other fibres, losses due to pre-treatment are usually disregarded in calculations.  
I.8.3. Note:  
Calculation examples are given in Section IV.  
II. Method of quantitative analysis by manual separation of ternary fibre mixtures  
II.1. FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This method is applicable to textile fibres of all types provided 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-fibrous matter is removed by a suitable pre-treatment and 
then the fibres are separated by hand, dried and weighed in order to calculate the proportion of each fibre in the 
mixture.  
II.3. APPARATUS  
II.3.1. Weighing bottles or 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 °C.  
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, redistilled, boiling range 40 to 60 °C.  
II.4.2. Distilled or deionised 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 °C to 
constant mass, as described in I.7.1 and I.7.2.  
II.8.2. Analysis of cloth  
Take from the pre-treated laboratory test sample a specimen of mass not less than 1 g, not including a selvedge 
with edges carefully trimmed 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 collect them in pre- 
weighed weighing bottles and proceed as described in II.8.1.EN L 272/54 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011II.9. CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
Express the mass of each component fibre as a percentage 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 
necessary to take account of losses in mass during pre-treatment operations.  
II.9.1. Calculation of percentage masses of clean dry fibre, disregarding loss in fibre mass during pre-treatment:  
P 1 % ¼ 100  m 1 
m 1 þ m 2 þ m 3 ¼ 100 
1 þ m 2 þ m 3 
m 1 
P 2 % ¼ 100  m 2 
m 1 þ m 2 þ m 3 ¼ 100 
1 þ m 1 þ m 3 
m 2 
P 3 % = 100 – ( P 1 % +  P 2 %) 
P 1 % is the percentage of the first clean dry component,  
P 2 % is the percentage of the second clean dry component,  
P 3 % is the percentage of the third clean dry component,  
m 1 is the clean dry mass of the first component,  
m 2 is the clean dry mass of the second component,  
m 3 is the clean dry mass of the third component.  
II.9.2. For calculation of the percentage of each component with adjustment by agreed allowances and, where appro ­
priate, by correction factors for losses in mass during pre-treatment: see I.8.2.  
III. Method of quantitative analysis of ternary 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.  
III.1. PRECISION OF THE METHODS  
The precision indicated in each method of analysis of binary fibre mixtures relates to the reproducibility (see 
Chapter 2 relating to methods for quantitative analysis of certain binary textile fibre mixtures).  
Reproducibility refers to the reliability, i.e. the closeness of agreement between experimental values obtained by 
operators in different laboratories or at different times using the same method and obtaining individual results on 
specimens of an identical homogeneous mixture.  
Reproducibility is expressed by confidence limits of the results for a confidence level of 95 %.  
By this is meant that the difference between two results in a series of analyses made in different laboratories 
would, given a normal and correct application of the method to an identical and homogeneous mixture, exceed 
the confidence limit only in five cases out of 100.  
To determine the precision of the analysis of a ternary fibre mixture the values indicated in the methods for the 
analysis of binary fibre mixtures which have been used to analyse the ternary fibre mixture are applied in the 
usual way.  
Given that in the four variants of the quantitative chemical analysis of ternary fibre 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 fibre 
mixtures, the precision of the results for each component is shown in the following table:  
Component fibre  Variants  
1 2 and 3  4  
a E  1 E 1 E 1 
b E  2 E 1 + E  2 E 1 + E  2 
c E  1 + E  2 E 2 E 1 + E  2EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/55If 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.  
III.2. TEST REPORT  
III.2.1. Indicate the variant(s) used to carry out the analysis, the methods, reagents and correction factors.  
III.2.2. Give details of any special pre-treatments (see I.6).  
III.2.3. Give the individual results and the arithmetic mean, each to the first decimal place.  
III.2.4. Wherever possible, state the precision of the method for each component, calculated according to the table in 
Section III.1.  
IV. Examples of the calculation of percentages of the components of certain ternary fibre mixtures using 
some of the variants described in point I.8.1.  
Consider the case of a fibre mixture which gave the following components when qualitatively analysed for raw 
material composition: 1. carded wool; 2. nylon (polyamide); 3. unbleached cotton.  
VARIANT No 1  
Using this variant, that is using two different specimens and removing one component (a = wool) by dissolution from the 
first specimen and 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 ) = 1,6000 g  
2. Dry mass of the residue after treatment with alkaline sodium hypochlorite (polyamide + cotton) (r  1 ) = 1,4166 g  
3. Dry mass of the second specimen after pre-treatment (m  2 ) = 1,8000 g  
4. Dry mass of the residue after treatment with formic acid (wool + cotton) (r  2 ) = 0,9000 g  
Treatment with alkaline sodium hypochlorite does not entail any loss in mass of polyamide, while unbleached cotton 
loses 3 %, therefore d  1 = 1,00 and d  2 = 1,03.  
Treatment with formic acid does not entail any loss in mass for wool or unbleached cotton, therefore d  3 and d  4 = 1,00.  
If the values obtained by chemical analysis and the correction factors are substituted in the formula under I.8.1.1, the 
following result is obtained:  
P 1 % (wool) = [1,03/1,00 – 1,03 × 1,4166/1,6000 + (0,9000/1,8000) × (1 – 1,03/1,00)] ×100 = 10,30  
P 2 % (polyamide) = [1,00/1,00 – 1,00 × 0,9000/1,8000 + (1,4166/1,6000) × (1 – 1,00/1,00)] × 100 = 50,00  
P 3 % (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 agreed 
allowances and the correction factors for any losses in mass after pre-treatment.  
As indicated in Annex IX, the agreed allowances are as follows: carded wool 17,00 %, polyamide 6,25 %, cotton 8,50 %, 
also unbleached cotton shows a loss in mass of 4 %, after pre-treatment with light petroleum and water.  
Therefore:  
P 1 A% (wool) = 10,30 × [1 + (17,00 + 0,0)/100] / [10,30 × (1 + (17,00 + 0,0)/100) + 50,00 × (1 + (6,25 + 0,0)/100) + 
39,70 × (1 + (8,50 + 4,0)/100)] × 100 = 10,97  
P 2 A% (polyamide) = 50,0 × [(1 + (6,25 + 0,0)/100)/109,8385] × 100 = 48,37EN L 272/56 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011P 3 A% (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 when qualitatively analysed gave the following components: carded wool, 
viscose, unbleached cotton.  
Suppose that using variant 4, that is successively removing two components from the mixture of one single specimen, the 
following results are obtained:  
1. Dry mass of the specimen after pre-treatment (m) = 1,6000 g  
2. Dry mass of the residue after treatment with alkaline sodium hypochlorite (viscose + cotton) (r  1 ) = 1,4166 g  
3. Dry mass of the residue after the second treatment of the residue r  1 with zinc chloride/formic acid (cotton) (r  2 ) = 
0,6630 g  
Treatment with alkaline sodium hypochlorite does not entail any loss in mass of viscose, while unbleached cotton loses 
3 %, therefore d  1 =1,00 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 increase in mass of the third 
component in the first and second reagents).  
If the values obtained by chemical analysis and the correction factors are substituted in the formulae given in I.8.1.4, the 
following result is obtained:  
P 2 % (viscose) = 1,00 × (1,4166/1,6000) × 100 – (1,00/1,03) × 41,02 = 48,71 %  
P 3 % (cotton) = 0,99 × (0,6630/1,6000) × 100 = 41,02 %  
P 1 % (wool) = 100 – (48,71 + 41,02) = 10,27 %  
As has already been indicated for Variant 1, these percentages must be corrected by the formulae indicated in point I.8.2.  
P 1 A% (wool) = 10,27 × [1 + (17,0 + 0,0)/100)]/[10,27 × (1 + (17,00 + 0,0)/100) +48,71 × (1 + (13 + 0,0)/100) + 
41,02 × (1 + (8,5 + 4,0)/100)] × 100 = 10,61 %  
P 2 A% (viscose) = 48,71 × [1 + (13 + 0,0)/100] / 113,2057 × 100 = 48,62 %  
P 3 A% (cotton) = 100 – (10,61 + 48,62) = 40,77 %  
The raw material composition of the mixture is therefore as follows: 
viscose  48,6 %  
cotton  40,8 %  
wool  10,6 %  
— 
100,0 %EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/57EN L 272/58 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011
 V. Table of typical ternary fibre mixtures which may be analysed using Union methods of analysis of binary fibre mixtures (for il lustration purposes)  
Mixture No  Component fibres  
Variant  Number of method used and reagent for binary fibre mixtures  
Component 1  Component 2  Component 3  
1. wool or hair  viscose, cupro or certain types of 
modal  cotton  1 and/or 4  2. (hypochlorite) and 3. (zinc chloride/formic acid)  
2. wool or hair  polyamide or nylon  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  1 and/or 4  2. (hypochlorite) and 4. (formic acid, 80 % m/m)  
3. wool, hair or silk  certain other fibres  viscose, cupro modal or cotton  1 and/or 4  2. (hypochlorite) and 9. (carbon disulphide/acetone 55,5/44,5 % v/v)  
4. wool or hair  polyamide or nylon  polyester, polypropylene, acrylic or 
glass fibre  1 and/or 4  2. (hypochlorite) and 4. (formic acid, 80 % m/m)  
5. wool, hair or silk  certain other fibres  polyester, acrylic, polyamide or nylon 
or glass fibre  1 and/or 4  2. (hypochlorite) and 9. (carbon disulphide/acetone 55,5/44,5 % v/v)  
6. silk  wool or hair  polyester  2  11. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m) and 2. (hypochlorite)  
7. polyamide or nylon  acrylic or certain other fibres  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  1 and/or 4  4. (formic acid 80 % m/m) and 8. (dimethylformamide)  
8. certain chlorofibres  polyamide or nylon  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  1 and/or 4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 4. (formic acid, 80 % m/m) or 9. (carbon 
disulphide/acetone, 55,5/44,5 % v/v) and 4. (formic acid, 80 % m/m)  
9. acrylic  polyamide or nylon  polyester  1 and/or 4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 4. (formic acid, 80 % m/m)  
10. acetate  polyamide or nylon or certain 
other fibres  viscose, cotton, cupro or modal  4  1. (acetone) and 4. (formic acid, 80 % m/m)  
11. certain chlorofibres  acrylic or certain other fibres  polyamide or nylon  2 and/or 4  9. (carbon disulphide/acetone 55,5/44,5 % v/v) and 8. (dimethyl ­
formamide)  
12. certain chlorofibres  polyamide or nylon  acrylic  1 and/or 4  9. (carbon disulphide/acetone 55,5/44,5 % v/v) and 4. (formic acid, 
80 %m/m)  
13. polyamide or nylon  viscose, cupro, modal or cotton  polyester  4  4. (formic acid, 80 % m/m) and 7. (sulphuric acid, 75 % m/m)  
14. acetate  viscose, cupro, modal or cotton  polyester  4  1. (acetone) and 7 (sulphuric acid, 75 % m/m)  
15. acrylic  viscose, cupro, modal or cotton  polyester  4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 7. (sulphuric acid, 75 % m/m)  
16. acetate  wool, hair or silk  cotton, viscose, cupro, modal, 
polyamide or nylon, polyester, acrylic  4 1. (acetone) and 2. (hypochlorite)  
17. triacetate  wool, hair or silk  cotton, viscose, cupro, modal, 
polyamide or nylon, polyester, acrylic  4 6. (dichloromethane) and 2. (hypochlorite)  
18. acrylic  wool, hair or silk  polyester  1 and/or 4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 2. (hypochlorite)EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/59
 Mixture No  Component fibres  
Variant  Number of method used and reagent for binary fibre mixtures  
Component 1  Component 2  Component 3  
19. acrylic  silk  wool or hair  4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 11. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m)  
20. acrylic  wool or hair silk  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  1 and/or 4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 2. (hypochlorite)  
21. wool, hair or silk  cotton, viscose, modal, cupro  polyester  4  2. (hypochlorite) and 7. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m)  
22. viscose, cupro or certain 
types of modal  cotton  polyester  2 and/or 4  3. (zinc chloride/formic acid) and 7. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m)  
23. acrylic  viscose, cupro or certain types of 
modal  cotton  4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 3 (zinc chloride/formic acid)  
24. certain chlorofibres  viscose, cupro or certain types of 
modal  cotton  1 and/or 4  9. (carbon disulphide/acetone, 55,5/44,5 % v/v) and 3. (zinc chloride/ 
formic acid) or 8. (dimethylformamide) and 3. (zinc 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) and 3. (zinc chloride/formic acid)  
27. acetate  silk  wool or hair  4  1. (acetone) and 11. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m)  
28. triacetate  silk  wool or hair  4  6. (dichloromethane) and 11. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m)  
29. acetate  acrylic  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  4  1. (acetone) and 8. (dimethylformamide)  
30. triacetate  acrylic  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  4  6. (dichloromethane) and 8. (dimethylformamide)  
31. triacetate  polyamide or nylon  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  4  6. (dichloromethane) and 4. (formic acid 80 % m/m)  
32. triacetate  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  polyester  4  6. (dichloromethane) and 7. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m)  
33. acetate  polyamide or nylon  polyester or acrylic  4  1. (acetone) and 4. (formic acid 80 % m/m)  
34. acetate  acrylic  polyester  4  1. (acetone) and 8. (dimethylformamide)  
35. certain chlorofibres  cotton, viscose, cupro or modal  polyester  4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 7. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m) or 9 (carbon 
disulphide/acetone, 55,5/44,5 % v/v) and 7. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m)  
36. cotton  polyester  elastolefin  2 and/or 4  7. (sulphuric acid 75 % m/m) and 14. (concentrated sulphuric acid)  
37. certain modacrylics  polyester  melamine  2 and/or 4  8. (dimethylformamide) and 14. (concentrated sulphuric acid)ANNEX IX  
Agreed allowances used to calculate the mass of fibres contained in a textile product  
(referred to in Article 19(3))  
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  
mercerised fibres  10,50  
6 Kapok  10,90  
7 Flax (or linen)  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  
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  2,00EN L 272/60 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011Fibre No  Fibres  Percentages  
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  1,50  
36 Polyethylene  1,50  
37 Polypropylene  2,00  
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 Elastomultiester  1,50  
46 Elastolefin  1,50  
47 Melamine  7,00  
48 Metal fibre  2,00  
Metallised fibre  2,00  
Asbestos  2,00  
Paper yarn  13,75  
( 1 ) The agreed allowances of 17,00 % shall also be applied where it is impossible to ascertain whether the textile product contai ning wool 
and/or animal hair is combed or carded.EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/61ANNEX X  
Correlation Tables  
Directive 2008/121/EC  This Regulation  
Article 1(1)  Article 4  
Article 1(2)(a)-(c)  —  
Article 1(2)(d)  Article 2(3)  
Article 2(1)  Article 3(1)  
Article 2(2) introductory wording  Article 2(2) introductory wording  
Article 2(2)(a)  Article 2(2)(a)  
Article 2(2)(b)  Article 2(2)(b) and (c)  
Article 2(2)(c)  Article 2(2)(d)  
Article 3  Article 5  
Article 4  Article 7  
Article 5  Article 8  
Article 6(1) and (2)  —  
Article 6(3)  Article 9(3)  
Article 6(4)  Article 9(4)  
Article 6(5)  Article 20  
Article 7  Article 10  
Article 8(1) first sentence  Article 14(1)  
Article 8(1) second sentence  Article 14(2)  
Article 8(2)  Article 14(3)  
Article 8(3) first subparagraph  Article 16(1)  
Article 8(3) second and third subparagraph  Article 16(2)  
Article 8(4)  Article 16(3)  
Article 8(5)  —  
Article 9(1)  Article 11(1) and (2)  
Article 9(2)  Article 11(3)  
Article 9(3)  Article 13 and Annex IV  
Article 10(1)(a)  Article 17(2)  
Article 10(1)(b)  Article 17(3)  
Article 10(1)(c)  Article 17(4)  
Article 10(2)  Article 17(5)  
Article 11  Article 15(4)  
Article 12  Article 19(2) and Annex VIIEN L 272/62 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011Directive 2008/121/EC  This Regulation  
Article 13(1)  Article 19(1)  
Article 13(2)  —  
Article 14(1)  —  
Article 14(2)  —  
Article 15  Article 21  
Article 16  —  
Article 17  —  
Article 18  —  
Article 19  —  
Article 20  —  
Annex I  Annex I  
Annex II  Annex III  
Annex III  Annex V  
Annex III point 36  Article 3(1)(j)  
Annex IV  Annex VI  
Annex V  Annex IX  
Annex VI  —  
Annex VII  —  
Directive 96/73/EC  This Regulation  
Article 1  Article 1  
Article 2  Annex VIII Chapter 1 Section I (2)  
Article 3  Article 19(1)  
Article 4  Article 19(4)  
Article 5  Article 21  
Article 6  —  
Article 7  —  
Article 8  —  
Article 9  —  
Annex I  Annex VIII Chapter 1 Section I  
Annex II  Annex VIII Chapter 1 Section II and Chapter 2  
Annex III  —  
Annex IV  —EN 18.10.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 272/63Directive 73/44/EEC  This Regulation  
Article 1  Article 1  
Article 2  Annex VIII Chapter 1 Section I  
Article 3  Article 19(1)  
Article 4  Article 19(4)  
Article 5  Article 21  
Article 6  —  
Article 7  —  
Annex I  Annex VIII Chapter 3 introduction and Sections I to III  
Annex II  Annex VIII Chapter 3 Section IV  
Annex III  Annex VIII Chapter 3 Section VEN L 272/64 Official Journal of the European Union 18.10.2011