EN ISO 15797:2018 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 15797:2018 (ISO 15797:2017) defines standardized laboratory procedures to simulate industrial washing and finishing for testing workwear and certain PPE garments. Intended for textile and garment evaluation, the standard describes intermediate-scale equipment and exacting wash/dry cycles that reproduce demanding industrial-laundry conditions. It supports assessment of key performance attributes such as dimensional stability, colour characteristics, creasing, seam puckering, pilling and general visual appearance. Note: the document is a test method and does not prescribe operational procedures or equipment specifications for commercial industrial launderers.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope expansion: Broadened from earlier editions to include fibres beyond cotton and polyester blends and some PPE garments where processes are appropriate.
• Simulated industrial cycles: Defines a selection of up to eight washing procedures and two drying/finishing procedures; laboratories choose the cycle(s) best suited to the fabric composition and intended use.
• Intermediate-scale apparatus: Specifies characteristics for laboratory washer/extractors, tumble dryers and steam finishers (e.g., defined cage volumes, g-factors, reversing action and controlled heating) to ensure reproducible, demanding testing conditions.
• Test objectives: Procedures are designed to evaluate dimensional change, colour stability and transfer, creasing and appearance, seam puckering, pilling and other visual/tactile properties after repeated industrial-style laundering cycles.
• Practical guidance: Recognizes that full reproduction of plant conditions is not always possible; recommends final compatibility checks in the actual industrial laundry where appropriate.
• Referenced test methods: Normative cross-references include related ISO standards for conditioning, pH of extracts and specimen preparation (e.g., ISO 139, ISO 3071, ISO 3759).

Applications

• Routine performance testing of workwear and launderable PPE to validate material and garment construction under industrial laundering stress.
• Quality control and R&D for textile manufacturers, garment designers and fabric finishers assessing wash durability, colourfastness and dimensional stability.
• Procurement and specification: provides objective, reproducible test data to inform buyer requirements for industrially launderable corporate or protective clothing.
• Certification and compliance testing laboratories that provide standardized reports for garment performance after industrial laundering simulation.

Who should use this standard

• Textile and apparel manufacturers, finishers and R&D teams
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies
• PPE manufacturers and safety procurement teams
• Product specifiers in healthcare, hospitality, utilities, and industrial laundries validating process/garment compatibility

Related standards

• ISO 139 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
• ISO 3071 - Determination of pH of aqueous extract
• ISO 3759 - Preparation and measuring of test specimens

Keywords: ISO 15797, EN ISO 15797:2018, industrial washing procedures, workwear testing, textile testing, industrial laundering simulation, washer-extractor, tumble drying, tunnel finishing, dimensional stability, colourfastness.