What is this page?

A plain-English reference for the international standards buyers see cited on rug test reports. Every entry names what the standard measures, who issues it, and what the classification bands mean. Nothing here claims PiHue performs any specific standard — the page is definitional. For what PiHue actually tests, see the scope page. For the full glossary of rug and export-trade terms, see the rug glossary.

Alphabetical, grouped by standards body where useful.

AATCC 16 — Colourfastness to light (US)

AATCC 16 is the US test method for the resistance of coloured textiles to light exposure, issued by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. The specimen is exposed in a xenon-arc weatherometer alongside blue-wool reference cards; the rating is the blue-wool card that has faded a similar amount. Related to ISO 105-B02 but a separate method — a buyer specification usually cites one specifically.

AfPS GS 2019:01 — PAHs

The German AfPS GS 2019:01 method quantifies polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in materials with skin contact, issued by the German Committee for Product Safety. Threshold limits distinguish categories 1 (long skin contact) through 3 (short skin contact).

AgBB — VOC emissions from building products (Germany)

AgBB is the German committee that publishes evaluation criteria for volatile organic compound emissions from indoor building products, referenced by the Blue Angel eco-label and many public-procurement specifications. Assessment is by chamber testing at three days and twenty-eight days after specimen conditioning, with published limits for total and individual VOCs and additional rules for carcinogens.

ASTM D1335 — Tuft bind strength (US)

ASTM D1335 is the US standard for the force required to pull a single tuft from a tufted floor covering, issued by ASTM International. A single tuft is gripped in the jaws of a tensile-testing machine and pulled perpendicular to the rug plane; the peak force before failure is the tuft bind. ASTM D1335 and ISO 4919 both measure tuft withdrawal but are separate methods — a specification citing one is not automatically satisfied by a report against the other.

ASTM D4157 — Wyzenbeek abrasion (US)

ASTM D4157 is the US Wyzenbeek abrasion resistance method, issued by ASTM International. A standard cotton duck fabric is moved back and forth over the specimen under constant tension, and the number of double rubs to a specified failure level is reported. A double rub is one forward-and-back cycle. Wyzenbeek and Martindale (EN ISO 12947) are separate methods that stress specimens differently and yield different numbers — a buyer specification usually cites one specifically.

ASTM E648 — Radiant flux fire test (US, commercial floor)

ASTM E648 measures the critical radiant flux at which a floor covering will sustain flame spread when exposed to a radiant heat source, issued by ASTM International. Reported in watts per square centimetre; higher is harder to ignite. The standard defines Class I and Class II bands (Class I is the more stringent), and US building and life-safety codes reference specific classes for different occupancy types — check the applicable code for a given installation.

Blue Angel — German eco-label

Blue Angel is Germany's environmental label, referenced across many public-procurement and building specifications. Category-specific criteria are published on the Blue Angel website; textile-floor-covering criteria address restricted substances and emissions.

California Proposition 65 — US warning-label statute

California Proposition 65 requires warnings on products sold in California that contain any of more than 900 listed chemicals above threshold. Retailers exporting textiles to California specify Prop 65 clearance from the supplier's compliance team.

CEN ISO/TS 16179:2012 — Organotins

The European CEN ISO/TS 16179:2012 method quantifies organotin compounds in coated articles. Organotins (dibutyltin, tributyltin, dioctyltin) are historic biocides now restricted in textiles under REACH.

CPSC 16 CFR 1630 / 1631 — US residential rug fire safety

CPSC 16 CFR 1630 (large rugs) and 16 CFR 1631 (small rugs) are the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's Standard for Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs — the residential fire-safety baseline for rugs imported into the US. Test method: pill test.

DIN 54231:2022 — Quinoline

The German DIN 54231:2022 method quantifies quinoline residues in textiles, issued by DIN. Quinoline is a dye impurity; some jurisdictions and voluntary schemes cap it.

DIN EN 16711-2:2016 — Chromium VI

The European DIN EN 16711-2:2016 method quantifies extractable chromium VI in textiles, issued by CEN and adopted as DIN. Chromium VI is a residue of some historical black-dye chemistries; modern acid dyeing avoids it.

ECHA REACH SVHC candidate list

The Substances of Very High Concern candidate list is maintained by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and updated twice yearly. Above the reporting threshold, listed substances trigger disclosure and, in some cases, authorisation requirements. As of 21 January 2025 the list contained 247 substances.

EN 17131:2019 — Solvents and residuals

The European EN 17131:2019 method quantifies residual solvents in textile substrates. Issued by CEN.

EN 17134-2:2023 — Chlorophenols

The European EN 17134-2:2023 method quantifies chlorophenol preservatives in textiles. Issued by CEN.

EN 13501 — European fire classification for construction products

EN 13501-1 is the European harmonised fire-classification standard for construction products including floor coverings, issued by CEN. The "FL" suffix distinguishes floor-covering classes; the range runs from A1FL (non-combustible) to FFL (untested), and a typical wool rug rates in the CFL or DFL band with smoke emission at the s1 level.

EN ISO 12947 — Martindale abrasion (Europe)

EN ISO 12947 is the European four-part standard for the Martindale abrasion test on textiles, issued by CEN in harmonisation with ISO. A specimen is rubbed against a standard abradant fabric in a figure-of-eight pattern under constant pressure; cycles-to-failure is the headline number. Buyer specifications typically set a minimum cycle count that reflects the intended use category — a residential rug specification and a commercial contract specification will differ; the buyer's compliance team sets the target.

GOTS — Global Organic Textile Standard

GOTS is a certification for organic textiles covering the whole supply chain, from raw fibre through processing to labelling. Certified through a network of authorised certifying bodies. PiHue is not GOTS-certified and does not claim GOTS on any programme.

GREENGUARD — UL emissions certification (US)

GREENGUARD is the UL programme certifying low emissions from products used indoors. GREENGUARD Gold applies stricter limits appropriate for schools and healthcare. Emissions tested to ISO 16000-family methods.

IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 2 — Marine surface flammability

The International Maritime Organization's 2010 FTP Code Part 2 covers surface flammability of textile floor coverings used on ships. Passing it is the gate for the MED Wheelmark, which flag states require for commercial vessels. Certification runs Module B (Notified Body witnesses lab testing) plus Module D (annual factory audit).

ISO 105-B02 — Colourfastness to xenon-arc light

ISO 105-B02 tests the colourfastness of a dyed textile to standardised xenon-arc light exposure, issued by ISO. Rating is on the eight-point blue-wool scale where 8 is fadeproof under normal daylight and 1 fades in hours. A typical acid-dyed wool rug rates around 5–6.

ISO 105-E01, ISO 105-E03 — Colourfastness to water and washing

ISO 105-E01 tests colourfastness to water (a wet composite specimen under controlled pressure and temperature); ISO 105-E03 tests colourfastness to cold washing with soap. Rating on the ISO grey scale, 1–5 (5 is no change). Issued by ISO.

ISO 105-X12 — Colourfastness to rubbing (crocking)

ISO 105-X12 measures dye transfer from a rug to a standard white cotton fabric under controlled rubbing pressure, run dry and wet on separate specimens. Rated on the ISO grey scale, where 5 is no visible dye transfer and 1 is heavy transfer. Issued by ISO.

ISO 3071:2020 — Textile pH

ISO 3071:2020 defines the method for determining the pH of an aqueous extract of a textile. The textile-safe range is 4.0 to 7.5. Issued by ISO. PiHue's most recent Eurofins panel reported pH results between 5.69 and 6.74 across five colourways — all inside the band.

ISO 4919 — Tuft bind (international)

ISO 4919 measures the force required to withdraw a single tuft from a tufted textile floor covering. Issued by ISO. Related to ASTM D1335 but a separate method — a buyer specification citing one is not automatically satisfied by a report against the other.

ISO 13934 — Tensile strength

ISO 13934 (parts 1 and 2) measures the tensile strength of textile fabrics — a strip is clamped and pulled until failure. Issued by ISO. Reported in newtons.

ISO 13937 — Tear strength

ISO 13937 (four parts covering different test geometries) measures the force required to propagate a tear from an initial notch in a textile fabric. Issued by ISO. Reported in newtons.

ISO 14184-1:2011 / JIS L1041:2011 A — Formaldehyde

ISO 14184-1:2011 (international) and JIS L1041:2011 A (Japanese) quantify free and released formaldehyde in textiles. Issued by ISO and JIS respectively.

ISO 14362-1:2017, ISO 14362-3:2017 — Azo dyes and aromatic amines

ISO 14362-1 and 14362-3 quantify banned aromatic amine derivatives from azo dyes in textiles. Issued by ISO. The tests target the twenty-two aromatic amines specifically banned under EU Directive 2002/61/EC.

ISO 14389 / CPSC-CH-C1001-09.4 — Phthalates

ISO 14389 (international) and CPSC-CH-C1001-09.4 (US Consumer Product Safety Commission) quantify phthalate plasticisers in textiles. Phthalates are restricted in children's products and in some textile categories under REACH.

ISO 16000 family — VOC emissions from indoor materials

ISO 16000-9 is the chamber method for measuring VOC emissions from building materials; ISO 16000-6 is the identification and quantification of individual VOCs in chamber air. Issued by ISO.

ISO/IEC 17025 — Lab competence

ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, issued jointly by ISO and IEC. A lab holding 17025 accreditation has been externally audited on measurement uncertainty, chain of custody, technician competence and equipment calibration. Reports from a 17025-accredited lab carry weight with customs, retailers, insurance and building certification programmes.

ISO 24040:2022 — UV absorbers and stabilisers

ISO 24040:2022 quantifies specific ultraviolet absorbers and stabilisers in textiles. Issued by ISO.

ISO/TS 16186:2021 — Dimethyl fumarate

ISO/TS 16186:2021 quantifies dimethyl fumarate residues in textiles. Issued by ISO. DMFu is a fungicide restricted in consumer products.

MED Wheelmark — EU Marine Equipment Directive

The MED (Marine Equipment Directive) Wheelmark is the EU conformity mark required on equipment installed on EU-flagged ships. For textile floor coverings on marine installations, Wheelmark certification depends on passing IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 2 through a Notified Body under the applicable conformity-assessment modules.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 — Product-level chemistry certification

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is the industry-standard product-level chemistry certification for textiles, administered by the International Oeko-Tex Association. Every material in a certified product — yarn, dye, latex, backing — has passed concentration limits published in the standard's annually-updated criteria catalogue for hundreds of regulated substances. Certification runs through authorised institutes; PiHue is certified through Hohenstein in Germany.

POP Regulation — EU Persistent Organic Pollutants

EU Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants restricts named POPs across a wide range of products. Cited in the EU-regulation rating on the Chem-ST panel PiHue runs monthly at Eurofins.

REACH Annex XVII — EU restricted substances

Annex XVII to REACH (EU Regulation 1907/2006) lists substances subject to restrictions on their manufacture, placing on the market and use. Referenced on any EU-bound textile shipment.

REACH SVHC — EU Substances of Very High Concern

The Substances of Very High Concern candidate list is maintained by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and updated twice yearly under REACH. Above the reporting threshold, listed substances trigger disclosure and, in some cases, authorisation requirements.

Standards, plainly explained