ASTM E2922-23

Standard Guide for Use of Standard Test Methods and Practices for Evaluating Antibacterial Activity on Textiles

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Antimicrobial agents are routinely used for treating textile materials for the reduction of biodeterioration and bacterial odor generation. Furthermore, textiles are treated to prevent or limit microbial cross-contamination in healthcare settings.  
4.2 Antimicrobial agents used in textiles will vary with regard to their broad-spectrum effectiveness, biostatic/biocidal properties, and binding properties in or on particular substrates. When selecting antibacterial test methods as the sole means to predict end use behavior it is critical to understand the intended end use conditions of the treated articles.  
4.3 Textile materials differ with regard to the knit/weave, fabric composition, and added functional feature (for example, water repellent, flame retardant, softener, whitener). Each of these factors may alter test results within a given method.  
4.4 The test methods indicated below differ mainly in the procedure for inoculating samples, levels of nutrients in the bacterial challenge, organisms used, exposure times, and procedure for sterilization of test samples. Each of these parameters are often subject to industry modifications.  
4.5 Some antimicrobial treated articles are not suitable for sterilization due to the sensitivity of these antimicrobial agents to high temperature and humidity. Furthermore, some antimicrobial agents may be unrealistically activated due to UV sterilization which could show false positive antimicrobial properties. Sterilization of test fabrics prior to testing should be avoided if possible. All modifications of the methods indicated below should be clearly indicated on associated test reports and should be appropriate to the antimicrobial technology used.  
4.6 This guide is intended to review each commonly used industry test standard for its applicability with an understanding of each of the factors listed above. Further, it is the intention of this guide to indicate commonly used and generally accepted modifications of e...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides users with an index of procedures in the form of test methods, practices, and related international documents that are currently used in the textile industry for determining antibacterial properties of antimicrobial treated textile articles. This guide is not considered as all-inclusive for antimicrobial testing procedures related to textiles.  
1.2 This guide identifies some existing ASTM and other industry standard test methods applicable for testing the antibacterial performance on textiles and discusses options within each method that have been used to address specific end-use performance expectations in addition to measuring wash durability of such activity.  
1.3 This guide is intended to assist testing facilities in determining which test methods are appropriate for which treated articles based on type of antimicrobial active involved (diffusible versus non-diffusible), nature of test fabric, and expected end use.  
1.4 The test methods indicated in this guide should be performed only by those trained in microbiological techniques, are familiar with textile antimicrobial agents and with the end use exposures of the antimicrobial treated textile material.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2023
• ICS: 59.080.01 - Textiles in general
• Technical Committee: E35 - Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents
• Drafting Committee: E35.15 - Antimicrobial Agents

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2922 − 23
Standard Guide for
Use of Standard Test Methods and Practices for Evaluating
1
Antibacterial Activity on Textiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2922; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This guide provides users with an index of procedures
in the form of test methods, practices, and related international
2. Referenced Documents
documents that are currently used in the textile industry for
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
determining antibacterial properties of antimicrobial treated
E2149 Test Method for Determining the Antimicrobial Ac-
textile articles. This guide is not considered as all-inclusive for
tivity of Antimicrobial Agents Under Dynamic Contact
antimicrobial testing procedures related to textiles.
Conditions
1.2 This guide identifies some existing ASTM and other
E2180 Test Method for Determining the Activity of Incor-
industry standard test methods applicable for testing the
porated Antimicrobial Agent(s) In Polymeric or Hydro-
antibacterial performance on textiles and discusses options
phobic Materials
within each method that have been used to address specific
E2756 Terminology Relating to Antimicrobial and Antiviral
end-use performance expectations in addition to measuring
Agents
wash durability of such activity.
E3160 Test Method for Quantitative Evaluation of the Anti-
1.3 This guide is intended to assist testing facilities in bacterial Properties of Porous Antibacterial Treated Ar-
determining which test methods are appropriate for which
ticles
treated articles based on type of antimicrobial active involved E3162 Practice Measuring the Durability of Antibacterial
(diffusible versus non-diffusible), nature of test fabric, and
Agents Applied to Textiles under Simulated Home Laun-
expected end use.
dering Conditions
3
2.2 AATCC Standards:
1.4 The test methods indicated in this guide should be
AATCC Test Method 61: Test Method for Colorfastness to
performed only by those trained in microbiological techniques,
Laundering: Accelerated. American Association of Textile
are familiar with textile antimicrobial agents and with the end
Chemists and Colorists, RTP, NC
use exposures of the antimicrobial treated textile material.
AATCC Test Method 90: Antibacterial Activity Assessment
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of Textile Materials: Agar Plate Method. American Asso-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ciation of Textile Chemists and Colorists, RTP, NC
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
AATCC Test Method 100: Antibacterial Finishes on Fabrics,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Evaluation of. American Association of Textile Chemists
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and Colorists, RTP, NC
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
AATCC Test Method 147: Antibacterial Activity Assess-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak Method. Ameri-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
can Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, RTP,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NC
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E2922 – 15. DOI: Available from AATCC 1 Davis Dr Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215
10.1520/E2922-23. USA. http://www.aatcc.org/
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2922 − 23
AATCC Test Method 211: Reduction of Bacterial Odor on to high temperature and humidity. Furthermore, some antimi-
Antibacterial Treated Textiles. American Association of crobial agents may
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2922 − 15 E2922 − 23
Standard Guide for
The Use of Standard Test Methods and Practices for
1
Evaluating Antibacterial Activity on Textiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2922; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides users with an index of procedures in the form of test methods, practices, and related international
documents that are currently used in the textile industry for determining antibacterial properties of antimicrobial treated textile
articles. This guide is not considered as all-inclusive for antimicrobial testing procedures related to textiles.
1.2 This guide identifies some existing ASTM and other industry standard test methods applicable for testing the antibacterial
performance on textiles and discusses options within each method that have been used to address specific end-use performance
expectations.expectations in addition to measuring wash durability of such activity.
1.3 This guide is intended to assist testing facilities in determining which test methods are appropriate for which treated articles
based on type of antimicrobial active involved (diffusible versus non-diffusible), nature of test fabric, and expected end use.
1.4 The test methods indicated in this guide should be performed only by those trained in microbiological techniques, are familiar
with textile antimicrobial agents and with the end use exposures of the antimicrobial treated textile material.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E2149 Test Method for Determining the Antimicrobial Activity of Antimicrobial Agents Under Dynamic Contact Conditions
E2180 Test Method for Determining the Activity of Incorporated Antimicrobial Agent(s) In Polymeric or Hydrophobic Materials
E2722 Test Method for Using Seeded-Agar for the Screening Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity in Fabric and Air Filter
3
Media (Withdrawn 2022)
E2756 Terminology Relating to Antimicrobial and Antiviral Agents
E3160 Test Method for Quantitative Evaluation of the Antibacterial Properties of Porous Antibacterial Treated Articles
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
Current edition approved May 1, 2015April 1, 2023. Published June 2015April 2023. Originally approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E2922 – 15.
DOI: 10.1520/E2922–1510.1520/E2922-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2922 − 23
E3162 Practice Measuring the Durability of Antibacterial Agents Applied to Textiles under Simulated Home Laundering
Conditions
3
2.2 AATCC Standards:
AATCC Test Method 61: Test Method for Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated. American Association of Textile Chemists
and Colorists, RTP, NC
AATCC Test Method 90: Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials: Agar Plate Method. American Association of
Textile Chemists and Colorists, RTP, NC
AATCC Test Method 100: Antibacterial Finishes on Fabrics, Evaluation of. American Association of Textile Chemists and
Colorists, RTP, NC
AATCC Test Method 147: Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak Method. American
Association of Textile
...