Monthly Roundup: Textile and Leather Technology Standards from May 2025

Looking back at May 2025, the Textile and Leather Technology sector experienced a notable wave of standards publications that reflect a maturing focus on material performance, hygiene, and product safety. Professionals who track compliance developments will find that four significant ISO standards were issued, extending guidance in antifungal activity assessment, deodorant property measurement, mechanical durability of leather, and water absorption resistance of coated fabrics. This comprehensive overview provides valuable synthesis for quality managers, engineers, researchers, and procurement specalists seeking to remain aligned with the latest international best practices.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

May 2025 was a pivotal month for the Textile and Leather Technology field, characterized by a balance between innovations in textile hygiene and refinements to durability measurement. Following previous years' patterns, there was a sustained emphasis on performance-related testing while expanding on advanced analytical techniques, such as luminescence and gas chromatography, to deliver quantifiable, repeatable outcomes.

This month’s collection of published standards supports the ongoing convergence of quality, health, and sustainability imperatives within the sector. Notably, the introduction of advanced measurement methodologies marks a shift towards greater objectivity in evaluating textile and leather product performance, a key trend for global supply chains and consumer markets alike. The cluster of standards issued in May 2025 reflects both evolving regulatory landscapes—particularly in response to antimicrobial market demands—and the industry's broad commitment to advancing material science and end-user protections.

Standards Published This Month

ISO 13629-1:2025 – Luminescence Method for Antifungal Activity

Textiles – Determination of antifungal activity of textile products – Part 1: Luminescence method

This standard introduced a robust, quantitative method to determine the antifungal activity of textile products by measuring the intensity of luminescence produced from the ATP (adenosine triphosphate) enzyme reaction. The scope covers a wide array of textile products—fibres, yarns, fabrics, clothing, home furnishings, and related goods—allowing manufacturers, testing labs, and regulatory agencies to benchmark and validate antifungal performance in a standardized way.

Central to ISO 13629-1:2025 is the adoption of the ATP luminescence method, which is significantly faster and less error-prone than traditional colony count approaches. The document outlines detailed procedures, including spore preparation, use of reference fungi, method selection based on intended product application (absorption or transfer methods), and calculation of antifungal activity as a difference in ATP signal between test and control specimens. It also contains nuanced requirements for reagent purity, apparatus calibration, data interpretation, and reporting.

Targeted at organizations producing textiles for hygiene-sensitive environments (such as healthcare, bedding, sportswear, and public use), this standard bolsters consumer safety and marketability while facilitating compliance with international expectations.

Key highlights:

• Utilizes ATP luminescence for quantitative antifungal analysis
• Applicable to diverse textile product types
• Replaces older methods with faster, more precise testing

Access the full standard:View ISO 13629-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 17299-6:2025 – Deodorant Property by Gas Chromatography

Textiles – Determination of deodorant property – Part 6: Gas chromatography method using automated dosing and sampling

ISO 17299-6:2025 details the use of gas chromatography (GC) for determining the deodorant properties of textile products. With two procedural variants—single analysis and auto-regeneration—this standard covers the measurement of odour reduction efficiency against typical unpleasant odour chemicals like indole, isovaleric acid, and nonenal.

The novelty of this standard lies in the automation of dosing and sampling, increasing the reproducibility and scalability of deodorant testing across labs. The procedure describes conditioning, precise dosing of odour components, and the use of GC equipped with FID or mass selective detectors for quantitative measurement. Calculations are then performed to determine the reduction rate of each odour chemical, providing manufacturers with objective evidence of product performance.

Textile producers focusing on performance apparel, bedding, and other products for hygiene-conscious consumers will benefit from these methodologies. The standard supports claims related to odour control and provides defensible data for both regulatory submissions and marketing.

Key highlights:

• Automated GC method enhances efficiency and consistency
• Addresses three main human-related odour chemicals
• Includes both single-use and repetitive (regenerative) testing procedures

Access the full standard:View ISO 17299-6:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 17236:2025 – Leather Extension Set Test

Leather – Physical and mechanical tests – Determination of extension set

ISO 17236:2025 specifies the standard method for determining the extension set of leather, particularly for upholstery applications but suitable for all flexible leathers. Extension set refers to the permanent deformation remaining in a leather sample after it has been stretched and relaxed—a significant factor in product longevity and ergonomic performance, especially for upholstery and automotive interiors.

The methodology requires careful specimen selection, controlled stretching, and precise measurement of deformation after relaxation, enabling consistent comparison of different leather types or batches. The standard will be of particular importance to tanneries, leather product manufacturers, automotive interiors suppliers, and testing laboratories.

This third edition aligns terminology with recent advances and harmonizes with related standards such as ISO 2418 and ISO 2419. It supports quality assurance and procurement by providing a more rigorous approach to durability assessment.

Key highlights:

• Applies to both upholstery and flexible leathers
• Measures permanent set after mechanical stretching
• Updated to align with latest terminology and testing guidance

Access the full standard:View ISO 17236:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 17581:2025 – Water Absorption Resistance of Coated Fabrics

Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics – Determination of water absorption resistance

ISO 17581:2025 introduces two methods (A and B) for evaluating the water absorption resistance of rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics. Method A employs red ink as a visual tracer, while Method B uses water detection test paper to quantify absorption. These test protocols respond to the sector’s high-performance demands, especially for fabrics used in outdoor structures, roofing, tents, or protective gear where water ingress can lead to mould, staining, or material deterioration.

The standard details specimen preparation to avoid cross-sectional water uptake, environmental conditioning to ensure consistency, and result interpretation parameters for both longitudinal and transverse directions. This dual-method offering allows manufacturers and testing labs to choose based on equipment availability and product type.

ISO 17581:2025 is particularly relevant for fabric suppliers, coaters, and buyers concerned with durability and long-term performance of coated textiles in challenging environmental conditions.

Key highlights:

• Two alternative methods for assessing water absorption resistance
• Covers both rubber- and plastics-coated fabrics
• Addresses edge absorption and provides for customized test conditions

Access the full standard:View ISO 17581:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Across May 2025’s Textile and Leather Technology standards, several trends emerged:

• Advanced Testing and Instrumentation: The adoption of luminescence (ISO 13629-1:2025) and gas chromatography (ISO 17299-6:2025) underlines a sector-wide move towards more sophisticated, automated, and objective testing methods that offer higher precision and reproducibility.
• Hygiene and Consumer Safety: Standards for antifungal and deodorant testing illustrate growing market and regulatory pressure for hygienic, health-promoting textile products—driven by both consumer demand and institutional buyers in healthcare and hospitality.
• Material Durability and Performance: The push for robust physical and mechanical testing (ISO 17236:2025 and ISO 17581:2025) aligns with increasing client and regulatory requirements for lifetime performance and sustainability, especially as product applications diversify.
• Scope Expansion: May 2025’s standards cover a broad spectrum of textile and coated fabric products, from consumer apparel to technical textiles for construction, emphasizing the industry’s interconnected value chains.

These releases reflect the international sector’s proactive adaptation to challenges including environmental exposure, infection control, and the need for consistent quality benchmarks across supply chains.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations subject to these standards should consider the following steps:

• Gap Assessment: Review current processes and laboratory capabilities against the detailed methodological requirements—particularly for ATP luminometry and GC-based deodorant testing, which may require equipment upgrades.
• Training and Safety: Ensure lab personnel are trained in microbiological and chemical safety, especially when working with reference fungi (ISO 13629-1:2025) and odorant chemicals (ISO 17299-6:2025).
• Product Development and Claims: Leverage compliance to support performance claims (antifungal, deodorant, durability), but ensure that all documented testing aligns with the exact standard procedures.
• Supplier Coordination: Communicate updated specifications and quality expectations downstream for products reliant on coated fabrics or technical leather, supporting harmonized implementation.
• Transition Timeline: Review contractual and regulatory requirements to determine necessary compliance dates and allow adequate time for adaptation—particularly where certification or third-party testing is required.
• Resources: Full normative text is available through iTeh Standards, along with technical support resources and implementation guides as needed (https://standards.iteh.ai).

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

May 2025 witnessed the publication of four high-impact standards in Textile and Leather Technology, each representing a facet of the industry’s response to evolving demands for hygiene, durability, and rigorous quality assessment. The sector’s sustained move toward advanced, instrument-based testing, as evidenced by the luminescence and GC methodologies, will likely influence procurement policies and R&D priorities for years to come.

For industry professionals, the key recommendations are to prioritize understanding and integration of these standards into quality management systems, ensure upskilling to new analytical methods, and use these frameworks to justify high-value product claims and market access.

Keeping abreast of such developments is crucial—not only for regulatory compliance but for competitive differentiation in a globalized textiles and leather marketplace. We encourage readers to explore the full details of these May 2025 publications through iTeh Standards and consider their implications for ongoing and future projects.

Explore more standards and implementation resources at iTeh Standards.