Overview - EN ISO 105-E01:2013 (Colour fastness to water)
EN ISO 105-E01:2013 (ISO 105‑E01:2013) is the international / European test method for determining the colour fastness of textiles to immersion in water. It specifies how to prepare specimens, carry out a controlled water immersion and pressure exposure, and assess both change in colour of the test sample and staining of adjacent fabrics. The method applies to textiles of all kinds and in all forms.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Resistance of textile colour to immersion in water (all fibres and textile forms).
- Specimen preparation: Composite specimens (40 ± 2 mm × 100 ± 2 mm) are joined to either a multifibre adjacent fabric (ISO 105‑F10) or two single‑fibre adjacent fabrics (ISO 105‑F01–F06). Yarn/loose fibre procedures are also defined.
- Reagents and water quality: Use Grade 3 water in accordance with ISO 3696.
- Immersion step: Composite specimen is thoroughly wetted at a liquor ratio of approximately 50:1 and left at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure uniform penetration.
- Pressure and test device: After draining, specimens are placed between glass or acrylic plates and subjected to a nominal pressure of 12.5 ± 0.9 kPa using a specified stainless‑steel weight-piece and plates (approx. 60 × 115 mm).
- Temperature and duration: The loaded specimens are heated in an oven at 37 ± 2 °C for 4 hours (device orientation horizontal or vertical as appropriate).
- Drying and assessment: Specimens are air‑dried (≤ 60 °C). Colour change and staining are evaluated using the grey scales (ISO 105‑A02 / A03) and/or instrumentally with spectrophotometer / colorimeter methods (ISO 105‑A04 / A05).
- Reporting: Test reports must reference ISO 105‑E01:2013 and include sample ID, grey scale numerical ratings and/or instrumental data, adjacent fabrics used, any deviations and the option used.
Practical applications and users
This standard is used by:
- Textile and apparel manufacturers for quality control of dyed and printed goods.
- Dye houses and colorists to validate dye fixation and process changes.
- Independent test laboratories performing colourfastness testing and certification.
- Product developers, brand quality teams and retailers for compliance checks and supplier verification.
- Research and development teams evaluating new dyes, finishes or washing treatments.
Key benefits: consistent, reproducible evaluation of water‑induced colour change and staining; compatibility with multifibre adjacent fabrics to reveal cross‑dyeing; objective evaluation via instrumental methods.
Related standards
- ISO 105 general series (ISO 105‑A01, A02, A03, A04, A05)
- ISO 105‑F01 to F06, F10 (adjacent fabric specifications)
- ISO 3696 (water for analytical use)
- AATCC TM 107 (similar colourfastness to water method)