ISO 9348:2026

Textiles — Determination of the anti-contamination propensity of fabrics to particulate matter — Digital measurement method

This document specifies the digital measurement method for the determination of the anti-contamination of fabrics. This method is applicable to woven fabrics which have or have not been given an anti-contamination to particulate matter finish. It is especially suitable for measuring apparel fabrics. It is not intended for use in fabrics that react to UV light or allow particulate matter to penetrate into the structure of the fabric. It is not applied to fabrics for personal protective equipment. NOTE 1 Particulate matter (PM) is solid particles suspended in ambient air defined in ISO 16890-1. NOTE 2 In woven fabrics, particulate matter (PM) adheres to the fabric surface due to electrostatic or surface properties. In knitted and nonwoven fabrics, PM penetrates into the fabric structure, following a different mechanism. The conditions and procedures outlined in this test method are designed to ensure reproducibility and precision specifically when applied to woven fabrics.

Textiles — Détermination de la propension des étoffes à la décontamination par les particules — Méthode de mesurage numérique

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-May-2026
• ICS: 59.060.01 - Textile fibres in general
• ICS: 61.020 - Clothes
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 38/SC 24 - Conditioning atmospheres and physical tests for textile fabrics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 38/SC 24 - Conditioning atmospheres and physical tests for textile fabrics
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 22-May-2026
• Due Date: 16-Mar-2026
• Completion Date: 22-May-2026

Overview

ISO 9348: Textiles - Determination of the anti-contamination propensity of fabrics to particulate matter - Digital measurement method is an international standard developed by ISO. This standard outlines a digital measurement method for evaluating how effectively woven fabrics resist contamination from particulate matter (PM). The method is primarily designed for woven apparel fabrics-both untreated and those with anti-particulate finishes-but excludes fabrics that react to UV light or allow particulate penetration into their structure.

The digital approach improves precision and reproducibility, focusing on how particulate matter adheres to the surface of woven fabrics. This makes ISO 9348 a valuable reference for manufacturers and testing laboratories in the textiles industry seeking to ensure fabric cleanliness and performance under particulate exposure.

Key Topics

• Anti-Contamination Propensity: The standard defines procedures for testing and quantifying a fabric’s resistance to particulate contamination, essential for applications where fabric cleanliness is critical.
• Digital Measurement Method: Utilizes digital imaging and UV fluorescence to accurately assess the amount of particulate matter adhering to fabric surfaces.
• Test Procedure:
  • Fabric specimens are placed in a rotary testing box with fluorescent test particles and tumbled under controlled conditions.
  • Post-tumbling, digital images are captured under UV light to analyze the surface contamination.
• Image Analysis: Results are determined through software that calculates the ratio of contaminated area versus the total test area, providing a precise and quantitative assessment.
• Sample Preparation and Conditioning: Emphasizes standard atmospheres and specimen conditioning for repeatability based on ISO 139.
• Reporting Requirements: Specifies necessary details for test reports, supporting transparency and traceability.

Applications

The ISO 9348 standard is especially relevant for:

• Apparel Fabric Manufacturers: Assisting in quality control for fabrics intended for garments, particularly in industries where contamination control is crucial, such as medical, laboratory, electronic, and cleanroom apparel.
• Finishing Processes: Validating the effectiveness of anti-particulate treatments and surface finishes applied to woven textiles.
• R&D and Testing Laboratories: Providing a standardized, reproducible method for fabric testing in product development and regulatory compliance.
• Purchasing and Specification: Enabling textile buyers and specifiers to assess fabric performance for critical applications requiring reduced particulate adherence.

Note: The method is not intended for knitted or nonwoven fabrics, fabrics that are reactive to UV light, or those used in personal protective equipment.

Related Standards

For comprehensive assessment and integration, ISO 9348 references and relates to several key standards:

• ISO 139: Textiles - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing, ensuring controlled and repeatable test conditions.
• ISO 16890-1: Air filters for general ventilation - Classification system based on particulate matter efficiency.
• ISO 12945-1: Procedures for testing the surface pilling, fuzzing, or matting of textiles.
• ISO 105-A11: Assessment of color fastness using digital imaging techniques.
• ISO 13320: Particle size analysis - Laser diffraction methods, relevant for characterizing test particulates.
• IEC 62321-3-1: Methods for screening hazardous substances using X-ray fluorescence, referenced for analysis of the test particle’s chemical composition.

Practical Value

Implementing ISO 9348 helps textile professionals:

• Enhance Fabric Quality: Measure and control particulate retention, supporting claims of cleanliness and safety.
• Standardize Testing: Apply a globally recognized, reproducible methodology for inter-laboratory consistency.
• Support Regulatory Compliance: Align with international requirements and demonstrate due diligence in fabric contamination control.
• Facilitate Product Marketing: Substantiate performance claims in technical datasheets and product literature with objective, standardized data.

By adopting ISO 9348, organizations can demonstrate commitment to high standards in textile product quality, reliability, and performance against particulate contamination.

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO 9348
First edition
Textiles — Determination of the
2026-05
anti-contamination propensity of
fabrics to particulate matter —
Digital measurement method
Textiles — Détermination de la propension des étoffes à la
décontamination par les particules — Méthode de mesurage
numérique
Reference number
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, 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.
ISO copyright office
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CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Apparatus and material . 2
6 Conditioning and testing atmosphere. 4
6.1 Test particle conditioning .4
6.2 Test atmosphere and conditioning .4
7 Preparation of test . 4
7.1 Test specimens.4
7.2 Test specimen canister .4
8 Procedure . 5
9 Assessment . . 5
9.1 Image acquisition method .5
9.2 Image acquisition procedure .5
9.3 Image analysis.5
9.4 Calculation and expression of results .6
10 Test report . 6
Annex A (informative) Test particle . 7
Bibliography . 8

iii
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
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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 www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38, Textiles, Subcommittee SC 24, Conditioning
atmospheres and physical tests for textile fabrics.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
In woven fabrics, particulate matter (PM) adheres to the fabric surface due to electrostatic or surface
properties. In knitted and nonwoven fabrics, PM penetrates into the fabric structure, following a
different mechanism. The conditions and procedures outlined in this test method are designed to ensure
reproducibility and precision specifically when applied to woven fabrics.

v
International Standard ISO 9348:2026(en)
Textiles — Determination of the anti-contamination
propensity of fabrics to particulate matter — Digital
measurement method
1 Scope
This document specifies the digital measurement method for the determination of the anti-contamination
of fabrics.
This method is applicable to woven fabrics which have or have not been given an anti-contamination to
particulate matter finish. It is especially suitable for measuring apparel fabrics. It is not intended for use in
fabrics that react to UV light or allow particulate matter to penetrate into the structure of the fabric. It is not
applied to fabrics for personal protective equipment.
NOTE 1 Particulate matter (PM) is solid particles suspended in ambient air defined in ISO 16890-1.
NOTE 2 In woven fabrics, particulate matter (PM) adheres to the fabric surface due to electrostatic or surface
properties. In knitted and nonwoven fabrics, PM penetrates into the fabric structure, following a different mechanism.
The conditions and procedures outlined in this test method are designed to ensure reproducibility and precision
specifically when applied to woven fabrics.
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 139, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
3 Terms and de
...