Hohenstein, a testing service provider, has collaborated with partners to establish a standardized test approach for identifying and categorizing the environmental consequences of textiles during washing. The DIN SPEC 4872 combines an assessment of fiber discharge, biodegradability, and ecotoxicity.
The test method under DIN SPEC 4872 measures the number of fibers released during laundering, how efficiently they biodegrade in wastewater, and the level of harmfulness of the fiber residues to the environment.
Research has proven that washing textiles releases microfibers into the wash water, which wastewater treatment plants cannot adequately contain. Synthetic fibers pose the most significant danger to the environment due to their longevity and incapability to biodegrade.
However, Hohenstein project manager Juliane Alberts does not give the all-clear for biodegradable fibers and natural fibers: “Biodegradability alone does not mean that pure natural fibers, for example, are completely harmless to the environment. They, too, remain in ecosystems until they completely degrade and can also have a negative impact. In addition, additives, auxiliaries or finishes used in textile production can further slow the degradation process and leach into the environment.”
The new standard enables textile producers and suppliers to analyze, evaluate, and compare their products in terms of fiber release and environmental impact. According to Juliane Alberts, this systematic evaluation can serve as an opportunity for the textile industry to take the lead on environmental impact by basing product development on reliable data. “This is a way to actively and consciously control further environmental pollution,” she explained.
For more information, please visit Hohenstein.US/microfibers.
About Hohenstein
Hohenstein is an international partner for independent testing, certification, and applied research in human-textile-environment interaction, with over 40 offices and laboratories. Hohenstein creates science-based methods and standards that consider the user in real-life situations. By providing standard or tailored testing, as well as interpreting the results, Hohenstein experts solve problems, verify claims, and help partners bring better, safer products to the market – in a more sustainable manner. Hohenstein is a founding member and primary provider of the OEKO-TEX® range of services and is accredited by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC ID #1058) as a third-party independent laboratory for CPSIA compliance verification. Hohenstein.US.
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