EN 20105-A02:1994
(Main)Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour (ISO 105-A02:1993)
Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour (ISO 105-A02:1993)
Describes the grey scale for determining changes in colour of textiles in colour fastness tests, and its use. A precise colorimetric specification of the scale is given as a permanent record against which newly prepared working standards and standards that may have changed can be compared. The essential scale (5 steps) consists of pairs of non-glossy grey colour chips (or swatches of grey cloth). In addition, an augmented scale includes four half-steps and, thus, 9 steps.
Textilien - Farbechtheitsprüfungen - Teil A02: Graumaßstab zur Bewertung der Änderung der Farbe (ISO 105-A02:1993)
Textiles - Essais de solidité des teintures - Partie A02: Echelle de gris pour l'évaluation des dégradations (ISO 105-A02:1993)
La présente partie de l'ISO 105 donne la description et le mode d'emploi de l'échelle de gris prescrite pour l'évaluation des dégradations de la coloration des textiles provoquées par les essais de solidité. Une spécification colorimétrique précise de cette échelle est donnée comme référence; elle permet de vérifier des échelles de gris nouvellement établies, ou qui pourraient se trouver modifiées après un certain usage.
Tekstilije - Preskušanje barvne obstojnosti - Del A02: Siva skala za ocenjevanje barvnih sprememb
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 29-Aug-1994
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 248 - Textiles and textile products
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 248/SC 3 - Chemical properties
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 02-Jul-2010
- Completion Date
- 02-Jul-2010
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 607:2023 - Eaves gutters and fittings made of PVC-U - Definitions, requirements and testing - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Overview
EN 20105-A02:1994 (identical to ISO 105‑A02:1993) specifies the grey scale for assessing change in colour in textile colour‑fastness tests. Published by CEN/ISO, the standard defines a permanent, colorimetric reference scale - including an essential 5‑step scale and an augmented 9‑step (g‑step) version - against which tested samples and working standards are visually compared to assess perceived colour change.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scale format
- Essential 5‑step grey scale: five pairs of non‑glossy grey chips or swatches illustrating contrast levels corresponding to ratings 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
- Augmented (g‑step) scale: adds four half‑steps (4‑5, 3‑4, 2‑3, 1‑2) for a 9‑step assessment.
- Colorimetric specification
- The scale is precisely specified by colorimetric data so it can serve as a permanent reference for preparing and checking working standards.
- Chips/swatches shall be measured with a spectrophotometer including the specular component; tristimulus Y value for the first (neutral) member is 12 ± 1 (as given in the standard).
- Colorimetric calculations use the CIE supplementary standard colorimetric system (10° observer) for the appropriate D‑series illuminant as specified in the document.
- Visual assessment procedure
- Place original and tested specimen side‑by‑side on the same plane with the grey scale nearby; surround with a neutral grey field.
- Recommended illumination: equivalent natural sky light or an artificial source of ≥ 600 lx; sample illuminated at about 45°, viewing approximately perpendicular.
- Where backing effects occur, use multiple layers of the textile under both specimens.
- Rating is the grey‑scale step whose perceived difference most closely matches the difference between original and tested specimens; intermediate contrasts are recorded as half‑steps.
- Reporting
- Numerical rating (1–5 or g‑step) and optional qualitative abbreviations (e.g., B = Bluer, R = Redder, W = Weaker) may be recorded to describe direction or character of change.
Applications and users
- Quality control and production testing in textile manufacturing, dyeing and finishing.
- Independent testing laboratories performing standard colour‑fastness assessments.
- Product specification and acceptance criteria for apparel, home textiles, upholstery, and technical textiles.
- Useful for R&D, supplier quality audits, and regulatory/compliance documentation where visual colour change must be quantified.
Related standards
- Part of the ISO 105 / EN 20105 series of colour‑fastness test methods. Users should consult other ISO/EN 105 parts for specific fastness tests (washing, light, rubbing, perspiration) that reference the grey‑scale assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 20105-A02:1994 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour (ISO 105-A02:1993)". This standard covers: Describes the grey scale for determining changes in colour of textiles in colour fastness tests, and its use. A precise colorimetric specification of the scale is given as a permanent record against which newly prepared working standards and standards that may have changed can be compared. The essential scale (5 steps) consists of pairs of non-glossy grey colour chips (or swatches of grey cloth). In addition, an augmented scale includes four half-steps and, thus, 9 steps.
Describes the grey scale for determining changes in colour of textiles in colour fastness tests, and its use. A precise colorimetric specification of the scale is given as a permanent record against which newly prepared working standards and standards that may have changed can be compared. The essential scale (5 steps) consists of pairs of non-glossy grey colour chips (or swatches of grey cloth). In addition, an augmented scale includes four half-steps and, thus, 9 steps.
EN 20105-A02:1994 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 59.080.01 - Textiles in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 20105-A02:1994 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13245-3:2010, EN 15330-1:2007, EN 16732:2025, EN 13245-1:2025, EN 15836-1:2010, EN 13138-3:2021, EN 607:2023, EN 14906:2012, EN 15115:2025, EN 17353:2020+A1:2025, EN 17353:2020, EN ISO 17700:2005, EN 13138-1:2014, EN 13138-1:2021, EN 263:2008. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 20105-A02:1994 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-1996
Tekstilije - Preskušanje barvne obstojnosti - Del A02: Siva skala za ocenjevanje
barvnih sprememb
Textiles - Tests for colour fastness - Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour
(ISO 105-A02:1993)
Textilien - Farbechtheitsprüfungen - Teil A02: Graumaßstab zur Bewertung der
Änderung der Farbe (ISO 105-A02:1993)
Textiles - Essais de solidité des teintures - Partie A02: Echelle de gris pour l'évaluation
des dégradations (ISO 105-A02:1993)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 20105-A02:1994
ICS:
59.080.01 Tekstilije na splošno Textiles in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
Is0
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD 105-A02
Fourth edition
1993-09-01
Textiles - Tests for colour fastness -
Part A02:
Grey scale for assessing change in colour
- Essais de solidit des teintures -
Textiles
Partie A02: &he//e de gris pour Mvaluation des d6gradations
Reference number
IS0 105A02: 1993(E)
IS0 105-A02:1993(E)
Foreword
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national standards bodies (IS0 member bodies). The work
of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through IS0
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. IS0
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard IS0 105.A02 was prepared by Technical Committee
ISO/TC 38, Textiles, Sub-Committee SC 1, Tests for co/owed textiles and
colorants.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition
(IS0 105-A02:1987), of which it constitutes a minor revision.
IS0 105 was previously published in thirteen “parts”, each designated by
a letter (e.g.
“Part A”), with publication dates between 1978 and 1985.
Each part contained a series of “sections”, each designated by the re-
spective part letter and by a two-digit serial number (e.g. “Section A01 “).
These sections are now being republished as separate documents, them-
selves designated “parts” but retaining their earlier alphanumeric desig-
nations. A complete list of these parts is given in IS0 105-AOI .
0 IS0 1993
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without per-
mission in writing from the publisher.
International Organization for Standardization
Case Postale 56 l CH-1211 Geneve 20 l Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland
ii
IS0 1059A02:1993(E)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
Textiles - Tests for colour fastness -
Part A02:
Grey scale for assessing change in colour
2.4 The second member of each pair shall be such
1 Scope
that the colour difference between it and the adjacent
first member is as follows:
This part of IS0 105 describes the grey scale for de-
termining changes in colour of textiles in colour fast-
Fastness CIELAB differ-
ness tests, and its use. A precise calorimetric
Tolerance
ence
specification of the scale is given as a permanent grade
record against which newly prepared working stan-
5 0
dards and standards that may have changed can be
08 * b,2
(4-5) I
compared.
I * 0,3
4 17
I!I 0,35
(3-4) 25 I
3 34 I + 0’4
2 Principle
2-3
(: 48 I * 0,5
68 I k 0,6
2.1 The essential, or 5-step, scale consists of five l-2
‘1 96 + 0,7
pairs of non-glossy grey colour chips (or swatches of 1 136
I * LO
grey cloth), which illustrate the perceived colour dif-
ferences corresponding to fastness ratings 5, 4, 3, 2
(Bracketed values apply only to the g-step scale.)
and 1. This essential scale may be augmented by the
provision of similar chips or swatches illustrating the
perceived colour differences corresponding to the
half-step fastness ratings 4-5, 3-4, 2-3 and l-2, such
2.5 Use of the scale. Place a piece of the original
scales being termed g-step scale
...
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