Testex Round Robin tests mark 30 years of demand

13 Mar '14

2 min read

The comparability of measuring results is one of the most important characteristics that is now taking centre stage due to the forward march of globalisation. Irrespective of whether this concerns in-house comparative tests or testing mandates to external customers: ensuring comparability has major advantages, such as cost-saving by reducing repeat tests, and can thus be regarded as an important element contributing to the financial success of the international textile and garment industries.

The first TESTEX round robin test for yarn was brought into being in 1983. Its objective was to create an important monitoring tool for certified quality assurance systems (ISO 9000, ISO 17025, EN 45001, etc.) and in-house solutions by means of regularly conducted comparative tests.

All kinds of businesses related to the textile value chain in any way now test textile products from diverse sectors on a wide variety of instruments and apparatus: raw materials such as fibres and yarns, woven and knitted fabrics or other fabrics for use in clothing, décor and furnishings or engineering. Every testing laboratory can therefore exert an influence on textile quality, directly or indirectly, through its activities.

Every test is based on a testing standard whose function is to standardise testing procedures and thus make test results more comparable. Since, in addition to the testing process, a number of other factors, some of which are difficult to define, play a crucial role (personnel, laboratory conditions, handling of test specimens), the most important objective of round robin tests is to reveal systematic sources of error in the testing system in order to initiate the necessary corrective action.

This action can be:

- calibration/maintenance of the testing equipment

- training of laboratory personnel

- adjustment of influencing factors of relevance for testing (e.g. climate)

In this context regularly conducted round robin tests create the necessary confidence in the informative nature and accuracy of the test results between the parties involved.

Further arguments in favour of conducting and participating in round robin tests are:

- support for the in-house quality assurance system

- confidence-building measures for in-house results

- external information for determining measurement uncertainty

- creating a basis for more far-reaching certifications (e.g. PPE)

Round robin tests are therefore a proven tool for quality assurance in accredited testing laboratories.

TESTEX

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