Microplastics & Microfiber Testing

WHAT IS MICROFIBRE TESTING?

Microfibre testing or microplastics testing is a method for determining and analysing the presence of microplastic fibres (microfibres) in synthetic materials such as clothing and textiles. Microplastic testing also helps determine the number of fibre fragments released into the water after the household and industrial laundering and can compare fragment release levels between specific products.

BENEFITS OF MICROFIBRE TESTING

Microfibres are microplastics less than 5mm in length shed by textile materials during household and industrial wash cycles. These fibres enter our waterways via water treatment systems, where they accumulate harmful chemicals before entering the food chain and drinking water. Industry, consumers, and legislators are all concerned about microfibre pollution.

The benefits of microfibre testing are:

• Determine the number of microplastics shed from garments and materials during the washing process.
• Microplastics testing can assist you in better understanding the environmental consequence of your products, which cause significant damage to wildlife and ecosystems.

• It assists in determining which fabrics and fibres are most prone to microfibre release. This allows you to decrease microplastic pollution proactively through knowledgeable raw material selection and use.

TÜV SÜD is a leading global player in textile and footwear testing with decades of experience in ensuring product quality and safety. We are equipped to support you with all your textile testing and quality control needs. Our experts provide independent assurance that your products will live up to expectations and satisfy customers.

• Product quality: Through microfibre testing, you can evaluate your product to what extent it would contribute to microplastic pollution. (Increase customer confidence in your brand).
• Sustainability: Fulfil your part of sustainability action. (Ensure that your sustainability claims are truthful)
• Competitive edge: By working with TÜV SÜD, a globally trusted provider of premium testing services.
• Reduce your exposure to risk: Stay informed about new environment regulations.
• Save money: Over the life of the product.

HOW CAN TÜV SÜD SUPPORT YOU?

Microfiber testing determines how much microplastic shedding a textile or garment will generate into bodies of water.

• At TÜV SÜD, we are equipped to test a wide range of fabrics and textiles, industrial garments, and other apparel to assess the microfibre release during home laundering.
• We also provide shedding potential of manufactured synthetic textiles such as polyester, acrylic, elastane, and nylon.
• TÜV SÜD helps you better understand the environmental impact of your products and to stay a step ahead of legislation by identifying which fabrics and fibres are most prone to microfibre release, enabling you to proactively reduce microplastic pollution.
• Through microplastic testing, we will provide you with the ability to substantiate sustainability claims technically and independently.

TÜV SÜD MICROPLASTIC TESTING SERVICES

TÜV SÜD is an industry-leading provider of microplastics testing services for fibre fragments released by textiles during washing, according to the following test methods –

• AATCC TM212-2021, Test Method for Fibre Fragment Release During Home Laundering
• ISO/DIS 4484-1:2021(E) - Microplastics from textile sources - Determination of material loss from fabrics during washing.

Through their robust methods for testing for microplastics, TÜV SÜD provides the global industry with consistent and uniform test methods to follow.

WHY ARE MICROFIBRE TESTING SERVICES IMPORTANT FOR MY BUSINESS?

As an independent third-party, with these services, we support our clients to move towards sustainable action by reducing microplastic pollution to the environment. With these testing services, our clients would be able to assess their textile products to what extent they would contribute to microplastic pollution.

To reduce plastic pollution from textiles and stay ahead of legislation, brands, retailers, and manufacturers must first comprehend the shedding potential of various fibres and fabrics.

At TÜV SÜD, we provide various microplastics testing services by leveraging our technical expertise and global laboratory network.

WHY CHOOSE TÜV SÜD FOR MICROFIBRE TESTING

At TÜV SÜD, we’ve developed innovative microplastics testing methods to evaluate the microfibre-shedding potential of commercially available synthetic textiles like acrylic, polyester, nylon elastane, etc.

TÜV SÜD offers a wide scope of accredited microfibre testing and certification services which are widely recognised around the world. Our renowned track record in quality assurance and considerable knowledge in textile product testing will help you achieve better product quality. Our professional and technically qualified engineers are active in national and international technical committees for product safety.

To learn about our lab capabilities for textiles and leather, please click here.

Contact our experts today and find out how we can support your testing, inspection and certification requirements. Write to us at [email protected]