EN 14697:2005

Textiles - Terry towels and terry towel fabrics - Specification and methods of test

This document specifies minimum requirements for properties and test methods for the evaluation of new ready-made terry towels and to new terry fabrics, for contract and domestic use.
This document covers woven terry structures only.
This document does not cover towels used in the health care sector (see ENV 14237) or cabinet roller towels (see EN 13569).

Textilien - Frottierhandtücher und Frottiergewebe - Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren

Dieses Dokument legt die Mindestanforderungen an die Eigenschaften und Prüfverfahren zur Bewertung von
neuen konfektionierten Frottierhandtüchern und neuen Frottiergeweben für den gewerblichen und häuslichen
Einsatz fest.
Dieses Dokument umfasst nur Frottiergewebe.
Dieses Dokument gilt nicht für Handtücher im Bereich des Gesundheitswesens (siehe ENV 14237) oder
Rollenhandtücher für Handtuchspender (siehe EN 13569).

Textiles - Serviettes éponges et tissus éponges - Spécifications et méthodes d'essai

Tekstilije - Brisače in frotir - Specifikacije in metode preskušanja

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 17-May-2005
• Withdrawal Date: 29-Nov-2005
• ICS: 97.160 - Home textiles. Linen
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 248 - Textiles and textile products
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 248/WG 21 - Terry towels
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 29-Nov-2021
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 14697:2005 - Textiles - Terry towels and terry towel fabrics - Specification and methods of test

Overview

EN 14697:2005 - Textiles: Terry towels and terry towel fabrics - Specification and methods of test is a CEN European Standard that defines minimum properties and test methods for new ready-made terry towels and new woven terry fabrics intended for domestic and contract use. The standard covers woven terry structures only and excludes towels used in the health‑care sector (see ENV 14237) and cabinet roller towels (see EN 13569).

Key topics and requirements

The standard specifies mandatory test methods, acceptance criteria and tolerances. Key technical topics include:

• Scope and definitions

  • Distinguishes domestic vs contract use and defines terry fabric terms (e.g., terry ratio, total mass).

• Dimensional requirements

  • Measurement of towel and roll dimensions (EN 1773) and tolerances (±4% with minimum 10 mm).

• Dimensional stability

  • Maximum shrinkage limits after one wash/dry cycle (EN 25077); special limits for bathrobe fabrics.

• Mass and construction

  • Total mass of towels (Annex A), mass per unit area of the terry part (EN 12127) and terry (pile-to-ground) ratio (ISO 7211-3; Annex C).

• Colour fastness

  • Tests for light (EN ISO 105‑B02), washing/bleaching (EN ISO 105‑C06/C09, EN ISO 105‑N01/N02), rubbing (EN ISO 105‑X12), and water (EN ISO 105‑E01). Minimum ratings are specified (e.g., ≥3–4 depending on test and use).

• Mechanical performance

  • Tensile strength (EN ISO 13934‑1) - different minima for contract (≥300 N) and domestic (≥250 N) use; bursting strength (EN ISO 13938‑1/2) optional alternative.

• Absorption

  • Time-of-absorption test (Annex B) with a maximum immersion time (≤15 s).

• Optional tests

  • Pile loop extraction methods, seam slippage (EN ISO 13936‑2) for bathrobe fabrics, limiting viscosity number for ground yarns.

• Marking and care labels

  • Domestic towels must carry durable care instructions per ISO 3758; reference to EN 14697 may be included.

Applications and users

EN 14697:2005 is intended for practical use by:

• Manufacturers - product development, factory quality control and acceptance criteria for woven terry products.
• Testing laboratories - standardized methods for certification and comparison.
• Buyers and specifiers - hotels, contract laundries, retailers and procurement teams who require objective performance criteria in tenders and specifications.
• Suppliers and compliance teams - ensuring products meet European market requirements and labeling rules.

Using EN 14697 helps reduce product disputes, improve durability and consumer satisfaction, and harmonize test reporting.

Related standards

Relevant referenced standards include EN ISO test methods used throughout the document (e.g., EN ISO 105 series for colour fastness, EN ISO 13934‑1 for tensile, EN 12127 for mass per unit area, EN 25077 for dimensional change) and sector‑specific documents such as ENV 14237 (healthcare textiles) and EN 13569 (cabinet roller towels).

Keywords: EN 14697:2005, terry towels, terry towel fabrics, specification, test methods, textiles, absorption time, colour fastness, dimensional stability, tensile strength.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.QMDTextilien - Frottierhandtücher und Frottiergewebe - Anforderungen und PrüfverfahrenTextiles - Serviettes éponges et tissus éponges - Spécifications et méthodes d'essaiTextiles - Terry towels and terry towel fabrics - Specification and methods of test97.160Tekstilije za dom. PeriloHome textiles. LinenICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14697:2005SIST EN 14697:2005en01-julij-2005SIST EN 14697:2005SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 14697May 2005ICS 97.160English versionTextiles - Terry towels and terry towel fabrics - Specification andmethods of testTextiles - Serviettes éponges et tissus éponges -Spécifications et méthodes d'essaiTextilien - Frottierhandtücher und Frottiergewebe -Anforderungen und PrüfverfahrenThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 24 March 2005.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2005 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 14697:2005: ESIST EN 14697:2005

Determination of the total mass.11 Annex B (normative)
Determination of the time of absorption.12 Annex C (informative)
Terry ratio or pile to ground ratio.13 Bibliography.14
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