Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Sources of Standards
In an industry with so many segments and interests, communicating quality requirements and supplying goods of the appropriate quality level are difficult. Professional and trade organizations have developed to educate members and enhance communication among industry segments.
Organizations
Several organizations which are available for quality standards
identify and define terms, develop consistent practices within the field for describing and evaluating materials and process, encourage fair trade practices, develop technological advances to remain competitive in the world market and promote the textile industry.
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Introduction
AATCC is the worlds leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA, providing test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for thousands of members in 60 countries throughout the world.
About
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) was founded by Dr. Louis Olney of the Lowell Textile School in 1921. AATCC is the world's leading not-for-profit professional association for the textile design, materials, processing, and testing industries. Members of AATCC are employees of textile, apparel, and home goods manufacturers; dye and chemical manufacturers; testing laboratories; consumer and retail organizations; state and federal government agencies; and colleges and universities. AATCC has thousands of individual and corporate members in more than 60 countries world wide.
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AATCC develops internationally recognized standard test methods used by the industry, governments, researchers, and others. It develops procedures to assess the characteristics of materials and their performance in the areas of
Wet processing, Dyeing Care Biological properties & Other related factors
These procedures are sometimes described as wet tests because liquids, such as water and other solvents are used in preparing specimens or in the procedure.
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AATCC standards and test methods are developed by research committees after extensive investigation and inter laboratory comparisons. Development or extensive revision of a procedure reflects several years of work. Test methods are approved by three level hierarchy before they are published in the Technical Manual. A test method is reviewed annually for its first three years of existence. After that it is reviewed every five years and reaffirmed, revised or withdrawn
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ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. Today, some 12,000 ASTM standards are used around the world to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.
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ASTM is one of the oldest professional organization in United States. ASTM was established in 1898. ASTM consists of more than 130 technical committees, is international in scope and supports the work of National Institute of Standards and Technology.
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ASTM Committees
ASTM Committee D-13 focuses on textiles; other committees focus on other materials or products, such as leather and building materials. ASTM procedures are used to identify physical characteristics and assess performance related to physical-mechanical procedures. These procedures are often referred to as dry procedures because the materials are most often tested in the dry state. ASTM also works with industry, government, and others interested in developing uniform standards.
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ASTM Standards
ASTM standards are full consensus standards. This means that a standard result when a full of all concerned parties is met. Proposed standards and revisions are voted on by ASTM voting members. Once the standard has been approved, it is included in the Annual Book of Standards. All interested individuals participate in the development and/or use of the standard. ASTM requires that all standards be reviewed by committee every five years, so that each standard reflects current practices within industry. Standards are used voluntarily and are not legally binding unless they became incorporated in laws or regulations or are cited in contracts
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ASTM has no certificate program, but standards sometimes are used in certifying products. Products may carry labels indicating that a product was certified following an ASTM procedure. This means that a standard ASTM procedure was followed and that the product met or exceeded a minimum level of performance established by another group completely separate from ASTM
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About - ASQ
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is an organisation of professionals who work to improve the quality of manufactured goods services and related factors. ASQ has developed a professional code of ethics to guide professional practices. ASQ has technical committees and a certification program for professionals. The society publishes a newsletter, On Q, ten times a year; Quality progress, a monthly journal that includes articles on quality methods and issues; several journals that examine technical, theoretical, and practical issues related to quality; and books related to quality issues.
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Members and certification holders are required to observe the tenets sets forth below.
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The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market.
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Government, Trade and Regulatory Issues: Government Relations Committee Brand Protection Council Government Contracts Committee Social Responsibility Committee Environmental Committee Product Safety Council Management Issues: Financial Management Committee Human Resources Leadership Council Supplier Resource Committee Divisions and Specialty Markets: Footwear Division Intimate Apparel Council Technology Issues: Information Systems Committee Supply Chain & Product Innovation Committee
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TC2 focuses on improving the sewn products industry to make it more productive, competitive and cost effective. It works with manufacturers to develop new processes, equipment, and implementation procedures.
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About ANSI
The American National Standards Institute, which is a federation of many organizations, agencies, and groups, coordinates all national voluntary agencies that develop standards. It has an accredited certificate program. Certification attests that a product has been tested and meet specified requirements. These requirements are usually based on minimum performance characteristics and often relate to such health and safety issues as strength of structural steel components used in bridges and buildings. Many ASTM procedures have been approved by the ANSI, and this is the indicated in the designation of the test method.
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International Organization for Standardization is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from some 100 countries, one from each country. ISO is a non governmental organization established in 1947. The mission of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the sphere of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity.
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ISO 9000
ISO 9001
ISO 9002
Quality Systems Model for Quality Assurance in Production, Installation and Servicing
Quality Systems Model for Quality Assurance in Final Inspection and Test Quality Management and Quality System Elements Guidelines
ISO 9003
ISO 9004
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It helps identify opportunities for reducing errors and improving quality and productivity. As a company goes through registration process quality and productivity improves. ISO 9000 registration can be used as a marketing tool, and a competitive advantage. Being registered to ISO 9000 Standard will result in reduction in multiple audits / assessments as customers are increasingly accepting supplier quality system registration / certification from an accredited third party. Being registered to ISO 9000 standards offers worldwide credibility as a company having good quality system in place.
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