EN ISO 105-B03:2017

• Abstract:

  ISO 105-B03:2017 specifies a method intended for determining the resistance of the colour of textiles of all kinds except loose fibres to the action of weather as determined by outdoor exposure.; NOTE General information on colour fastness to light is given in Annex A.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 05-Dec-2017
• Withdrawal Date: 29-Jun-2018
• ICS: 59.080.01 - Textiles in general
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 248 - Textiles and textile products
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 248 - Textiles and textile products
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 06-Dec-2017
• Completion Date: 06-Dec-2017
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 105-B03:2018 - Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part B03: Colour fastness to weathering: Outdoor exposure (ISO 105-B03:2017)

• Replaces: EN ISO 105-B03:1997 - Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part B03: Colour fastness to weathering: Outdoor exposure (ISO 105-B03:1994)
• Effective Date: 13-Dec-2017
• Refers: ISO 105-C10:2006 - Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C10: Colour fastness to washing with soap or soap and soda
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 105-B01:2014 - Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B01: Colour fastness to light: Daylight
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 105-A02:1993 - Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 105-A01:2010 - Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A01: General principles of testing
• Effective Date: 09-Feb-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 1828:2012 - Health informatics - Categorial structure for terminological systems of surgical procedures (ISO 1828:2012)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 772-19:2000 - Methods of test for masonry units - Part 19: Determination of moisture expansion of large horizontally perforated clay masonry units
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 340:2003 - Protective clothing - General requirements
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Consolidated By: ISO 105-B03:2017 - Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B03: Colour fastness to weathering: Outdoor exposure
• Effective Date: 12-Feb-2026

Overview

EN ISO 105-B03:2017 (CEN adoption of ISO 105-B03:2017) defines a standardized outdoor exposure method for assessing colour fastness to weathering of textiles (all types except loose fibres). The method compares the colour change of test specimens with blue wool reference standards exposed concurrently under controlled outdoor mounting conditions. Annex A provides general information on colour fastness to light.

Keywords: EN ISO 105-B03, ISO 105-B03:2017, colour fastness, weathering, outdoor exposure, textiles testing

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Intended for determining resistance of textile colour to natural weathering (outdoor exposure).
• Principle: Expose specimens in the open air while protected blue wool references are exposed to daylight (behind glass). Colour change of specimens is assessed by comparison to the blue wool references.
• Specimens: Recommended fabric specimen size is at least 40 mm × 100 mm; yarns should be converted to fabric before testing. Mounting on a hydrophobic backing cloth (e.g., polyester) is allowed.
• Exposure racks:
  • Orientation: face due south (Northern hemisphere) or due north (Southern hemisphere).
  • Slope: approximately equal to the latitude of the exposure location.
  • Site: free from dust, exhaust fumes, and shadowing; allow air circulation behind specimens.
• Reference rack requirements: Glass cover with transmission of at least 90% between 380 nm and 750 nm, dropping to 0% between 310 nm and 320 nm, to allow daylight but exclude precipitation.
• Assessment and instruments:
  • Use ISO 105-A02 grey scale and blue wool references (per ISO 105-A01/A02 and ISO 105‑B01) to rate colour change.
  • Record climatological data where required: ambient temperature, relative humidity, precipitation/wetness hours, total and UV radiant energy.
• Test procedure notes: Multiple replicate exposures (different seasons) are recommended for reliable results; mean ratings give best indication of weathering fastness. The test includes guidance on mounting, washing, and test reporting.

Applications

• Product durability evaluation for outdoor and interior textiles: awnings, outdoor upholstery, marine fabrics, protective clothing and technical textiles.
• Quality control and incoming inspection for dyed fabrics and finished textile goods.
• R&D for dye formulation, finishing processes, and colourfastness improvement.
• Supporting warranty claims, durability specifications, and labeling for sunlight resistance.

Who should use it

• Textile testing laboratories (third‑party and in‑house)
• Textile and dye manufacturers
• Product designers and quality assurance teams
• Specifiers, procurement and compliance officers
• Standards writers and certification bodies

Related standards

• ISO 105-A01 (general testing principles)
• ISO 105-A02 (grey scale for assessing change in colour)
• ISO 105-B01 (colour fastness to light: daylight)
• ISO 105-C10 (colour fastness to washing)

This standard is published by ISO and adopted by CEN as EN ISO 105-B03:2017 - essential for consistent, comparable outdoor colour‑fastness testing of textiles.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2018
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN ISO 105-B03:1999
Tekstilije - Preskušanje barvne obstojnosti - Del B03: Barvna obstojnost proti
vremenskim vplivom: Izpostavljanje zunanjim pogojem (ISO 105-B03:2017)
Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part B03: Colour fastness to weathering: Outdoor
exposure (ISO 105-B03:2017)
Textilien - Farbechtheitsprüfungen - Teil B03: Farbechtheit gegen Bewetterung:
Bewetterung im Freien (ISO 105-B03:2017)
Textiles - Essais de solidité des teintures - Partie B03: Solidité des teintures aux
intempéries: Exposition en plein air (ISO 105-B03:2017)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 105-B03:2017
ICS:
59.080.01 Tekstilije na splošno Textiles in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 105-B03
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
December 2017
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 59.080.01 Supersedes EN ISO 105-B03:1997
English Version
Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part B03: Colour
fastness to weathering: Outdoor exposure (ISO 105-
B03:2017)
Textiles - Essais de solidité des coloris - Partie B03: Textilien - Farbechtheitsprüfungen - Teil B03:
Solidité des coloris aux intempéries: Exposition en Farbechtheit gegen Bewetterung: Bewetterung im
plein air (ISO 105-B03:2017) Freien (ISO 105-B03:2017)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 November 2017.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2017 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 105-B03:2017 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 105-B03:2017) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38
“Textiles” in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 248 “Textiles and textile products” the
secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by June 2018, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by June 2018.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 105-B03:1997.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 105-B03:2017 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 105-B03:2017 without any
modification.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 105-B03
Fifth edition
2017-10
Textiles — Tests for colour fastness —
Part B03:
Colour fastness to weathering:
Outdoor exposure
Textiles — Essais de solidité des coloris —
Partie B03: Solidité des coloris aux intempéries: Exposition en plein air
Reference number
ISO 105-B03:2017(E)
©
ISO 2017
ISO 105-B03:2017(E)
© ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
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ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

ISO 105-B03:2017(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Reference materials and apparatus . 2
5.1 Reference materials . 2
5.2 Apparatus . 2
6 Test specimens. 3
7 Procedure. 3
7.1 Procedure common to methods 1, 2 and 3 . 3
7.2 Method 1. 3
7.3 Method 2. 4
7.4 Method 3. 4
7.5 Washing . 4
7.6 Mounting . 4
8 Assessment of c olour fastness to weathering . 4
9 Test report . 5
Annex A (informative) General information on colour fastness to light . 6
ISO 105-B03:2017(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38, Textiles, Subcommittee SC 1, Tests for
coloured textiles and colorants.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 105-B03:1994), of which it constitutes a
minor revision. The changes compared to the previous edition are as follows.
— In line with the ISO/IEC Directives Part 2, 2016, Clause 3 Terms and definitions was added and the
subsequent clauses renumbered. In addition, “this part of ISO 105” was changed to “this document”.
— In 4.1 (former 3.1), “At the same time and in the same place” was changed to “At the same time and
in the same condition of exposure”.
— ISO 105-A01 and ISO 105-A02 were dated in Clause 2 but not where they were cited in the text as
no specific elements were referred to. The years were removed from Clause 2. (For information,
ISO 105-A01:1994 was revised by ISO 105-A01:2010.)
— ISO 105-B01:1994 was revised by ISO 105-B01:2014. The date (2014) was kept in Clause 2 as specific
elements were cited.
— In 4.1 (former 3.1), the reference to “ISO 105-B01:1994, 4.1.1” was changed to its equivalent
“ISO 105-B01:2014, 4.1.2”.
— In 6.4 (former 6.3), the reference to “ISO 105-B01:1994, 6.1” was changed to its equivalent
“ISO 105-B01:2014, 6.1”.
— In the footnote in Annex A, the reference to “ISO 105-B01:1994, 4.1.1” was changed to its
equivalent “ISO 105-B01:2014, 4.1.2” and the reference to “ISO 105-B01:1994, 4.1.2” was
changed to its equivalent “ISO 105-B01:2014, 4.1.3”.
— ISO 105-C01:1989 was revised by ISO 105-C10:2006. The change in number was made in Clause 2 and
in 7.5 (former 6.5). In Clause 2, the date was removed as no references to specific elements were made.
— In Clause 9 (former Clause 8), the year of publication was updated to “ISO 105-B03:2017”.
iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

ISO 105-B03:2017(E)
A list of all the parts in the ISO 105 series can be found on the ISO website.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 105-B03:2017(E)
Textiles — Tests for colour fastness —
Part B03:
Colour fastness to weathering: Outdoor exposure
1 Scope
This document specifies a method intended for determining the resistance of the colour of textiles of all
kinds except loose fibres to the action of weather as determined by outdoor exposure.
NOTE General information on colour fastness to light is given in Annex A.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 105-A01, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A01: General principles of testing
ISO 105-A02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour
ISO 105-B01:2014, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B01: Colour fastness to light: Daylight
ISO 105-C10:2006, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C10: Colour fastness to washing with soap
or soap and soda
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
4 Principle
4.1 Specimens of the textile are exposed under specified conditions in the open air without any
protection from weathering. At the same time and in the same condition of exposure, eight dyed blue
wool references are exposed to daylight but are protected from rain, snow, etc., by a sheet of glass.
The fastness is assessed by comparing the change in colour of the specimen with that of the blue wool
references.
4.2 The wide variations in conditions under which outdoor exposures are usually carried out make it
desirable to make replicate exposures starting at different times of the year. The most reliable indication
of weath
...