Modern textile manufacturers employ progressively more sophisticated methods and use a variety of natural, man-made, and synthetic fibers. The quality and durability of fabrics are directly affected by the quality of fibers, correct choice of dyes and colorants, and the use of appropriate manufacturing processes.
QIMA offers inspections and laboratory tests for all modern textiles, including:
- Textile and canvas rolls
- Home textiles, carpeting, curtains, and upholstery
- Textile checks on finished products (garments, apparel, accessories, toys)
Our quality control and testing services help textile mills, manufacturers, importers, and retailers ensure that their products meet their own quality standards and the requirements of their destination markets. We provide detailed same-day inspection reports and 48-hour turnaround on lab tests, giving you the fast and reliable results you need to make an informed decision for your textiles supply chain.
Textiles Testing Expertise
QIMA's experienced inspectors conduct thorough on-site checks of your merchandise, following detailed checklists compiled based on your requirements, international regulations, safety standards, and our extensive know-how.
We offer the following physical and mechanical tests to assess the quality of your textiles:
- Performance: abrasion or piling (Martindale, ICI)
- Dimensional stability: torque, shrinkage, elongation, stretch and recovery
- Weather testing: waterproof, windproof, thermal, spray test
- Thermal and water vapor resistance / permeability
- Burn test (for 100% cotton textiles)
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- Stiffness and bending
- Seam strength (for sewn articles)
- Tearing strength, penetration resistance
- Thickness, compression, and recovery (for floor coverings)
- Tensile properties
- Optical evaluation (appearance after the desired care treatment)
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Textiles Lab Testing Expertise
In addition to the above physical and mechanical tests, QIMA offers a wide range of laboratory tests to help you navigate the safety requirements and meet the standards of your destination market.
General Lab Tests for Textiles
- APEO testing
- Recycled polyester (rPET) fabric testing
- Fiber identification
- Eco-textile testing
- Banned azo dyes and colorants
- Colorfastness check (CF to light, ozone, burnt gas fumes, phenolic yellowing perspiration, water, bleach, abrasion)
- Antibacterial and antimicrobial testing
- Formaldehyde testing
- Pentachlorophenol (PCP) testing
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) testing
- Dimensional stability and appearance evaluation after laundering cycles
- Heavy metals in surface coatings
EU Textile Standards & Regulations
- REACH (Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals)
- Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names and related labelling and marking of the fibre composition of textile products
- General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC)
- EU Ecolabel for textile products
USA and Canada Textile Standards & Regulations
- AATCC 8 Colorfastness to Crocking (wet & dry)
- AATCC 15 Colorfastness to Perspiration
- AATCC 16.3 Option 3 Colorfastness to Light
- AATCC 106 Colorfastness to Sea Water
- AATCC 107 Colorfastness to Water
- AATCC 116 Colorfastness to Crocking (rotary)
- AATCC 135 Dimensional Stability of Fabric for Home Laundering
- AATCC 150 Dimensional Changes of Garmet to Home Laundering
- AATCC 162 Colorfastness to Chlorinated (Pool) Water
- AATCC 112 Formaldehyde Release from Fabric (quantitative) – sealed jar method
- AATCC 94-2017 Formaldehyde (spot test)
- 16 CFR 1610 Flammability of Clothing Textiles
- 16 CFR 1611 Flammability of Vinyl Plastic Film
- 16 CFR 1615 & 1616, Flammability of Children’s Sleepwear
- 16 CFR 1500.51-53 Attachment Strength
- 16 CFR 423 Care Labeling
- 16 CFR 303 Fiber Content Label
- ASTM D 1230 Standard Test Method for Flammability of Apparel Textiles
- ASTM D 4151 Standard Test Method for Flammability of Blankets
- Canadian Textile Flammability Regulations (SOR/2016-194) – Bedding Textile
- Canadian Textile Flammability Regulations (SOR/2016-194) – Non-bedding Textile
- Canadian Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17) Item 34, Flammability Requirement of Hair or Mane
- Canadian Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17) Item 32, Flammability Requirement of Outer Covering
- Canadian Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17) Item 33, Flammability Requirement of Yarn
- Canadian Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17) Item 21, Celluloid or Cellulose Nitrate
- CPSIA Lead Content in Surface Coatings
- CPSIA Lead Content in Substrates
- CPSIA Phthalates Content
- Cross Cut Adhesion – ASTM D3359
- Polymer Identification – FTIR
Other Standards and Regulations
- China – GB 18401 testing
- China – GB 31701 testing
- CPAI-84, Flammability of Camping Tents
Certifications for the Textile Industry
QIMA, through Hansecontrol, offers certification for all types of fabrics and textiles, which allow you to demonstrate to your consumers that your products have superior quality, and have been manufactured with adherence to good chemical management practices and sustainable sourcing principles: